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

Arts

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 mans 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 Disneys newest princess and dragon sidekick based on vaguely Asian cultures. Disneys 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...

An illustration of a women with dark purple hair wearing lavender headphones. Her headphone cords form the text listen to this. She is in front of a blue background.

Listen to This: Singles from April 24-30

Here are the singles we're obsessing over this week!

When artists experiment in a new capacity, whether it be a remix or a recent single, there’s a looming curiosity or hope that their endeavor will be a successful one. A compelling...

Former Bethesda lead artist Nathan Purkeypile spoke to WSN on working on “Skyrim” and the “Fallout” series. With over 14 years of experience, Purkeypile has a long established a name for himself. (Image courtesy of Nathan Purkeypile)

Former Bethesda lead artist discusses working on ‘Skyrim’ and the ‘Fallout’ series

Having worked at the studio for over 14 years, Nate Purkeypile reflects on his time designing some of the most beloved RPGs of all time.
Nathan Chizen, Video Games Editor April 29, 2021
Having worked at the studio for over 14 years, Nate Purkeypile reflects on his time designing some of the most beloved RPGs of all time.
Bo Burnham concluded his last comedy special, “Make Happy,” in 2016. Burnham will be returning with a brand new special that he filmed alone over the course of the past year. (Staff Photo by Alex Tran)

Bo Burnham surprises fans with upcoming Netflix special

After a five-year comedy hiatus, Bo Burnham’s teaser for his new Netflix special, “Inside” picks up where he left off in 2016’s “Make Happy.”
Caitlin Hsu, Under the Arch Managing Editor April 29, 2021

Bo Burnham concluded his last comedy special, 2016’s “Make Happy,” by walking out the door of his dimly lit guest house into a blindingly bright sunlit backyard as a chorus...

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.
Since the beginning of the pandemic it’s been impossible to watch our favorite artists perform in-person. NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts have stepped in to help fill the void until things return to normal. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Must-see Tiny Desk concerts to cure your live music withdrawals

From the Blue Man Group to Billie Eilish, here’s a list of some of the most memorable NPR Tiny Desk concerts to enjoy until live performances return.
Candace Patrick, Staff Writer April 28, 2021

With nearly 20,000,000 views, it is safe to say that watching NPR’s Tiny Desk series has become one of the internet’s favorite pastimes. Featuring artists big and small, the...

After the talent manager Scooter Braun acquired ownership of her music in 2019, artist Taylor Swift is on a mission to re-record her catalog and make it something new.  Her re-recorded version of “Fearless,” titled “Fearless (Taylor’s Edition)” features 26 songs which include her tracks featured on her original platinum edition of the album, alongside six unreleased tracks from her vault. (Illustration by Chandler Littleford)

Taylor Swift embraces her past in “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)”

On her re-recorded version of “Fearless,” Swift’s artistry has never been more apparent.
Valentina Arrieta, Staff Writer April 27, 2021

Taylor Swift’s “Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” is worlds away from the original album she released 13 years ago. In response to the talent manager Scooter Braun acquiring...

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 Tarkovskys 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...