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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

Professor Sameh Zoabi digs deep into his roots as the director of "Tel Aviv on Fire." (Photo by Hassan Elgamal)

Sameh Zoabi: The Palestinian Director With an Israeli Passport

NYU professor and director Sameh Zoabi discusses his latest film, Luxembourgish Oscar contender “Tel Aviv on Fire,” and what it means to be a Palestinian filmmaker and an Israeli citizen.
Fareid El Gafy, Film & TV Editor December 2, 2019

Professor Sameh Zoabi has had to explain who he is since the day he was born. Born in a Palestinian village outside of Nazareth, Israel, Zoabi is a man stuck in the middle. When...

The End of the F***ing World Season 2 premiered on Netflix in early November. (Via Facebook)

‘The End of the F***ing World’ Should Only Come Once

The second season of the much-loved show is as funny and touching as ever, but unnecessary all the same.
Ben Linder, Contributing Writer November 27, 2019

The end of the first season of “The End of the F***ing World” was not, in fact, the end. James and Alyssa are back. Maybe it was stock foolishness, but I was surprised to see...

Set in the Star Wars universe, The Mandalorian premiered on Disney+ on November 12, 2019. (Via Facebook)

The Good, The Bad and ‘The Mandalorian’

The Disney+ series set in the “Star Wars” universe is a bland homage to spaghetti westerns with none of their enduring charm.
Mas Bouzidi, Contributing Writer November 27, 2019

I love “Star Wars.” Granted, not all of it, but I love the universe. So for me, “The Mandalorian, had everything going for it. A spaghetti western set in space? What more...

Professor Spike Lee Gives Talk on ‘Do the Right Thing’’s Writing Process

Professor Spike Lee Gives Talk on ‘Do the Right Thing’’s Writing Process

Tisch Alum and Professor Spike Lee discussed his generation-defining 1989 film at NYU Skirball Center.
Charles Smith, Contributing Writer November 26, 2019

Filmed entirely on one block in Brooklyn’s Bed-Stuy neighborhood Spike Lee’s “Do the Right Thing” examines the race relations between the Italian American and African American...

A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood, directed by Marielle Heller, is a story based on the real-life friendship between journalist Tom Junod and television star Fred Rogers. (Via Facebook)

‘A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood’ is a Lesson in Forgiveness and Healing

The new film about children’s television icon Mr. Rogers is a touching tribute to how one man’s kindness helped shape the life of someone in need.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Deputy Arts Editor November 25, 2019

How should we deal with anger? Why do we hold onto it instead of attempting forgiveness, hard as forgiveness may be? How can we begin to constructively deal with feelings holding...

‘After the Murder of Albert Lima’ is a documentary following the story of a man trying to avenge the death of his father. (Via Doc NYC)

Documentary ‘After the Murder of Albert Lima’ Follows a Man Pursuing His Father’s Killer

"After the Murder of Albert Lima" has a near-impossible premise, and that’s what makes it incredible.
Nicholas Pabon, Contributing Writer November 19, 2019

Truth is stranger than fiction. “After the Murder of Albert Lima” is a documentary about a man named Paul Lima who spends the film seeking justice for his father Albert, who...

‘An Elephant Sitting Still’ is Hu Bo’s entire legacy condensed into his first and only film. (Via KimStim)

‘An Elephant Sitting Still’ Is a Portrait of Sadness for a Hopeless Generation

Director Hu Bo’s first and only film before he tragically took his own life ruminates on a nihilistic worldview.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Contributing Writer November 19, 2019

Richie Tenenbaum put it best: “Of course it’s dark, it’s a suicide note.” Completed shortly before he took his own life in 2017, “An Elephant Sitting Still” will forever...

Waves is a drama film released by A24 on November 15. (Via Twitter @wavesmovie)

‘Waves’ Verges on Cinematic Sensory Overload

“Waves” is a gripping family drama that captivates with experimental sound design and visual components.
Alexandra Bentzien, Contributing Writer November 17, 2019

Don’t expect to watch “Waves” like a movie. That’s what it is, technically, but it is precisely “Waves’” technical elements that elevate it beyond all cinematic convention...

Honeyland, a documentary directed by Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov, talks about a story of the last female wild beekeeper  Hatidze Muratova. (via Facebook)

Beekeeping Documentary ‘Honeyland’ Is Utterly Sublime

Tamara Kotevska and Ljubomir Stefanov’s “Honeyland” is a story about bees, honey and the human condition.
Nicholas Pabon, Contributing Writer November 14, 2019

“Honeyland” is a Macedonian documentary that follows the life of a beekeeper in the mountains of Macedonia, and what a picturesque life it is. The film is, in a word, gorgeous...

The Irishman is an epic crime film produced by Martin Scorsese, based on the 2004 book I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. (Via Twitter)

‘The Irishman’ Is Martin Scorsese’s Swan Song to the Goodfellas

Scorsese’s latest offering is a farewell to an era of film from a master of his craft.
Masnsen Bouzidi, Contributing Writer November 13, 2019

“The Irishman” starts with a single-take long shot, not so different from the famous Copacabana sequence in “Goodfellas.” “In the Still of the Night” by the Five Satins...

"Marriage Story" is a coming-of-age film about adults struggling to balance a relationship between their own ambitions. (Via Twitter)

‘Marriage Story’ Is Noah Baumbach in Top Form

Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson deliver enthralling performances as a couple fallen out of love.
Alexandra Bentzien, Contributing Writer November 12, 2019

It’s a logline five words long: a couple goes through divorce. Crack all the jokes you want - “Shouldn’t it be called ‘Divorce Story?’” Plainly, no. Marriage encompasses...

NYU alum Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s “One Child Nation” delves into China’s inhumane one-child-policy through heartrending personal interviews that reflect a tension between government policy and families. (via Amazon Studios)

‘One Child Nation’: Fighting for the Right to Choose

Propaganda is a powerful tool, and China abused it. NYU alumna Nanfu Wang reflects on the iron grip of China’s propaganda in her newest documentary.
Megan Chew, Contributing Writer November 11, 2019

As far as China is concerned, Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s documentary film “One Child Nation” does not exist. The film was wiped clean from any reporting platforms in...