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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Film

Zola is a biographical comedy-drama film directed by Janicza Bravo. Janicza Bravo, an NYU alum, gave a Q&A session for NYU students. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Janicza Bravo Q&A event: A glimpse inside the director’s mind

In anticipation of her movie "Zola," NYU alumna Janicza Bravo gave a Q&A session to students about navigating the film industry.
Sophia Carr, Staff Writer May 3, 2021

In a collaboration between A24 and the NYU Program Board, Janicza Bravo, NYU alumna and director of the upcoming movie “Zola,” gave a remote Q&A session for NYU students....

“Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” on Netflix tells the story about one man's impact on higher education. Actors play out reenactments of events in the dramatic documentary. 
(Illustration by Renee Shohet)

‘Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal’ defies documentary conventions

The story of how one man single-handedly ruptured the American higher education system. “Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal” is now available to stream on Netflix.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer April 30, 2021

Just over two years ago, the college admissions scandal — later coined “Operation Varsity Blues” — sparked an uproar throughout the public, especially amongst students...

"Raya and the Last Dragon" features Disney's newest princess and dragon sidekick based on vaguely Asian cultures. Disney's latest film presents another take on the empowered princess. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

‘Raya and the Last Dragon’: Disney’s Latest Attempt at the Empowered Princess

Disney’s newest animated feature offers a multicultural, yet modern peek into the future of the princess archetype.
Julia Gastone, Staff Writer April 30, 2021

Disney +’s “Raya and the Last Dragon” introduces Disney’s newest warrior princess, Raya (Kelly Marie Tran), and the mythical kingdom of Kumandra. In a melting pot of influential...

Protagonist Aida works as a translator for the UN during the tragedy of the Bosnian War. Oscar-nominated “Quo Vadis, Aida?” features the horrific story of the 1995 Srebrenica massacre. (Image courtesy of NEON Productions)

‘Quo Vadis, Aida?’ review: An unforgettable look at a forgotten part of history

Oscar Nominated “Quo Vadis, Aida?” allows the world to remember a horrific event that has been looked over for decades.
Victoria Carchietta, Staff Writer April 29, 2021
Oscar-nominated “Quo Vadis, Aida?” urges the world to remember a horrific event that has been overlooked for decades.
"The Mirror" is a 1975 Russian film directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, following a dying man in his forties as he remembers his past. There is a new restoration of Andrei Tarkovsky's "The Mirror" at the Lincoln Center. (Photo Courtesy of Cinetic Media)

The recent restoration of ‘The Mirror’ and the need to resurrect cinematic discourse

Although movie theaters have reopened, film culture remains stagnant. A recent trip to experience Andrei Tarkovsky’s “The Mirror” at Lincoln Center revealed how issues of isolation currently threaten cinematic discourse.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 27, 2021

It seems silly to write about Andrei Tarkovsky’s “The Mirror” after so much has been already said about his seminal masterpiece. It seems even sillier attempting to add to...

Nomadland is a drama film written, edited, produced, and directed by Chloé Zhao. This best picture winner film follows a woman who leaves her hometown, after her husband dies and she loses her job, to be "houseless" and travel around the United States. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli, Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

‘Nomadland’s’ contemporary vision of the American dream

NYU alumna and best picture winner Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” interrogates the nature of coming of age in modern America.
Alexandra Bentzien, Staff Writer April 26, 2021

“I’m not homeless, I’m just houseless. Not the same thing, right? Don’t worry about me; I’m okay,” Fern says to Makenzie in “Nomadland.” The distinction between...

"Minari" is an Oscar-nominated semi-autobiographical American drama film written and directed by Lee Isaac Chung. It follows a family of South Korean immigrants as they try to navigate their way in the 1980s rural United States. (Courtesy of A24)

‘Minari’ and the roots of the Asian American experience

Despite its cultural specificity, Lee Isaac Chung’s story of family and dreams is a film for all of us.
JP Pak, Film Editor April 26, 2021

My life changed the day I, a scrawny, Asian-American 11-year-old, watched Korean American actor Steven Yeun fall in love with Lauren Cohan, a white woman, on AMC’s “The Walking...

Wim Wenders’ directorial debut, “The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick,” is finally free to all via the Museum of Modern Art and Film at Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films festival. Based on a novel of the same name by Nobel laureate Peter Handke, this movie is a distinct investigation into a German generation consumed by a condition of aimlessness. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

‘The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick’ review: A languid look at aimlessness

This long-lost directorial debut by German director Wim Wenders about alienation in post-war Germany is playing for free as part of the 50th edition of the New Directors/New Films festival.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 22, 2021

After decades of being inaccessible to cinephiles due to its rarity, Wim Wenders’ directorial debut, “The Goalie’s Anxiety at the Penalty Kick,” is finally free to all...

"Another Round" takes place in Copenhagen, where the town’s youth partake in chaotic drinking games to offset the stress of their exams. This sets the stage for the prevalence of drinking culture in the film. The main character, Martin, is a depressed and unsatisfied school teacher who decides to test out a theory that humans are born with a blood alcohol content that’s too low and drinking actually helps people reach their full potential, both professionally and emotionally. (Images by Sophia Di Iorio, Debbie Alalaide. Staff Illustration by Alex Tran)

‘Another Round’ review: An intoxicating film about drinking to find meaning

Thomas Vinterberg untangles the complexities of substance abuse with a tale of four friends who engage in binge-drinking to break away from the monotony of everyday life. The Academy Award Nominated film is currently playing on Hulu.
Sophia Carr, Staff Writer April 22, 2021

Abusing substances to feel better about your life is never a good idea. Four men attempt to test if this presumption is actually true in the Danish Academy Award-nominated movie,...

Written by and starring Wiig and Mumolo as the titular Barb and Star, "Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar" tracks the two middling yet eternally chipper divorcees from Nebraska after they lose their dream jobs working at a furniture outlet. The film also features a stunning performance by Jamie Dornan as the main villain's henchman. (Images by Julia McNeil, Charlie Dodge, Yuzhi Huang. Staff Illustration by Alex Tran)

‘Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar’ review: the glory in being gaudy

“Bridesmaids” alums Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo show the reward in committing to the bit in their new tropical getaway epic.
Isabella Armus, Contributing Writer April 21, 2021

Embracing the absurd isn't a new concept to comedy power duo Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig — it's a lifestyle. They've been frequent collaborators since their days in the Groundlings...

"Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets" captures the last moments of a dive bar named Roaring 20's. With no narration, the documentary may be more than what it seems. (Photo by Elaine Chen)

‘Bloody Nose, Empty Pockets’ is an engrossing portrait of a community

Dip into dive bar life in this unique blend of documentary and fiction filmmaking.
Sebastian Zufelt, Staff Writer April 16, 2021

Nowadays, most people associate documentaries with true crime Netflix originals — “Tiger King” was the first notable piece of quarantine media. Noting the success of the...

Tina Turner is the star of Martin and Lindsay's new documentary "TINA." The film follows her compelling story from church choir member to legendary music icon. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

‘TINA’ review: transforming trauma into triumph

T. J. Martin and Daniel Lindsay’s “TINA” sees Tina Turner reclaim her story in an empowering manner.
Sophia Carr, Staff Writer April 16, 2021

Before watching this film, I thought of Tina Turner’s hits, her commanding stage presence, and the domestic abuse she suffered by her former husband, band member and manager...