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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

Sasha Cohen

Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor

Sasha Cohen is a junior studying Producing and Promotion for the Arts with a minor in Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology. She is from Chicago, but please do not ask her to choose between New York- and Chicago-style pizza. When Sasha is not working, she is often belting Broadway tunes, searching for the best pastries or checking out NYC parks. For more about Sasha, follow @_sasha.cohen_ on Instagram.

All content by Sasha Cohen
A man with a child clinging to his back dressed in winter clothes walks through the snowy woods.

Ryusuke Hamaguchi on blurring reality and fiction

WSN spoke with Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi about his newest film “Evil Does Not Exist.”
JP Pak, Contributing Writer May 3, 2024

In the years since his breakout “Happy Hour” (2015) and Academy Award-winning “Drive My Car” (2021), the world seems to have almost conformed to the central concerns of...

A photo of Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer eating ramen against a bookshelf.

In favor of smallness

Four years of editing the Washington Square News’ arts coverage have convinced me my task was trifling, but meaningful.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor May 5, 2023

Consider this my coda. I have edited the Washington Square News’ arts desk since early 2020 in varying capacities. At times distant, other times immersed, generally distracted,...

An illustration of a silver and black laptop which has on its screen a crucified man with a multi-eyed goat head.

Off the Radar: Magic mushrooms, monkeys and melodrama in ‘Altered States’

Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Altered States” is currently available to stream on Swank.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 21, 2023

In 1980, the enfant terrible of British cinema Ken Russell decided to venture out to the United States and adapt Paddy Chayefsky’s novel “Altered States.” The book follows...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen To This: The Jonas Brothers drop ‘Waffle House’

Listen to this week’s most notable singles from The Paper Kites, Arthur Russell and more.

From the talk-singing of Cheekface to the subdued vocals of Albert Hammond Jr., this past week saw a slew of exciting new singles to usher in the exquisite warm weather. Whether...

Five people take pictures in front of a mural that depicts green mountains, tan buildings and trees. A Chinese national flag is drawn in the foreground. Two Asian people are smiling at the camera as they point to the Chinese slogan “collective prosperity” on the bottom of the mural.

Q&A: Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke on China’s changing identity

WSN spoke with celebrated Chinese filmmaker Jia Zhangke about nationalism, the internet and capturing contemporary China.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor February 20, 2023

Jia Zhangke is often seen as the North Star of Chinese independent cinema. His continued interrogation of the nation’s cultural changes ever since he took up filmmaking in 1997...

An illustration of books, albums, and a single D.V.D. case, placed on an all-red backdrop with a pattern of small, white, hand-drawn hearts.

Staff Recs: Schmaltzy art that’s worth it

WSN’s arts editors spotlight schmaltzy arts-related content to cling to this Valentine’s Day.

What do we mean when we speak of schmaltz? Perhaps a little etymological digging might help answer our question. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (which you should use...

A film still from Godland with actor Elliott Crosset Hove, who plays Lucas, in the center on the beach. The ocean, shoreline, and another character can be seen behind him.

Review: ‘Godland’ shows faith at the ends of the earth

In Hlynur Pálmason’s accomplished third feature film, a Danish priest succumbs to a bitter existential crisis in the badlands of coastal Iceland. “Godland” is currently playing at the IFC Center.
JP Pak, Contributing Writer February 8, 2023

In the periphery of “Godland,” director Hlynur Pálmason’s visually breathtaking third feature film, a six-foot wooden cross struggles to maintain its place among cargo that...

A playground located near the student residences at NYU Berlin. (Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer for WSN)

Photo: Black students leave NYU Berlin early after reports of racism overlooked

Lauren Ashe, Deputy News Editor December 15, 2022

A playground located near the student residences at NYU Berlin. (Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer for WSN)

A bearded man wearing a gray T-shirt and a black hat lies on a bed with gray sheets. His arm rests above his head.

Q&A: American auteur Andrew Bujalski explores the faith we put in films

WSN spoke with independent filmmaker Andrew Bujalski about mumblecore, Hollywood filmmaking and his time at Harvard University with Chantal Akerman and Dušan Makavejev.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor November 16, 2022

Andrew Bujalski is a mainstay in contemporary American independent film. His directorial debut, “Funny Ha Ha” (2002), sent a rippling effect across the festival scene with...

A man with a short beard, wearing a gray T-shirt and a black hat, lies on a bed with gray sheets. His arm rests above his head.

Review: ‘There There’ shoots for real emotions, despite its fake portrayal of them

American auteur Andrew Bujalski’s latest tests its viewers’ faiths by pairing scenes from actors who were never in the same room. “There There” opens in select New York City theaters on Nov. 18.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor November 15, 2022

A memory returns to me of my mother frustrated and crying after a Sunday trip to the movies. Such melodrama is to be expected of my family, but here, the source was of extreme...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen To This: Blu DeTiger dials up rhythm and funk on latest single ‘Elevator’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Sarah Kinsley, Unknown Mortal Orchestra and more.
Yas Akdag, Ethan Beck and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer October 27, 2022

This week, we’ve got pop, funk, house and indie rock. Basically, we have a lot covered. Three of the artists this week also went to New York colleges — Blu DeTiger is a former...

(Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Staff Recs: Spooky Season

WSN’s Arts Desk highlights some Halloween favorites.

In the spirit of ghouls, WSN’s Arts Desk has decided to put together a list of spooky recommendations worth diving into this Halloween weekend. From Nick Cave to the latest nerve-wracking...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen To This: With a ‘Pang,’ Caroline Polachek is back

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Caroline Polachek, Katie Gregson-MacLeod and more.
Yas Akdag, Holden Lay and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer October 20, 2022

Listen To This took a brief hiatus, but fear not — we’re back. This week, we’ve rounded up some of the best indie pop and rock singles from the last fortnight. Read on for...

A middle-aged male wearing a pair of sunglasses lies on a bed with white pillow. On the man’s chest is a glass with milk-like white liquid splattering over his clothes.

Review: ‘Tales from the Gimli Hospital (4K Redux)’ revives the eccentric beginnings of a contemporary cinematic

“Tales from the Gimli Hospital (Redux)” wrangles myth against a meager budget to create an epic of emotional hysterics. The film, preceded by “The Heart of the World,” will play at the IFC Center on Oct. 14 and Oct. 15 at 8:10 pm followed by a Q&A with the director.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor October 13, 2022

“Tales from the Gimli Hospital (4K Redux)” is Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin’s first film, a 64-minute experiment caught between amateurish technical approaches and emotional...

Guy Maddin wearing a beige scarf and a gray coat in the Center Georges Pompidou.

Q&A: Celebrated Canadian filmmaker Guy Maddin talks myths and personality in filmmaking

WSN spoke with experimental filmmaker Guy Maddin about diary-filmmaking, Winnipeg and John Cheever’s self-lacerating writing.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor October 13, 2022

After 34 years of virtual invisibility, Canadian iconoclast Guy Maddin’s first feature film, “Tales from the Gimli Hospital,” has been restored in 4K and will receive a limited...

A cup of tea and a laptop displaying the film “Ruined Heart” on dark blue beddings.

Off the Radar: ‘Ruined Heart’ rides out the high and lows of love to a medley of moving melodies

Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Ruined Heart: Another Love Story Between a Criminal & a Whore” is available to stream on Kanopy.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor September 22, 2022

“Ruined Heart,” or “Ruined Heart: Another Love Story Between a Criminal & a Whore,” embodies its title wholeheartedly. For one, its lovelornness is evident from the...

Black-and-white illustration of director Jean Luc-Goddard holds film in his hand while smoking a cigarette.

Remembering Godard: Formal innovator and revolutionary poet

In a career that spanned over sixty years of film history, Jean-Luc Godard revolutionized the art innumerable times. In light of his sudden passing, WSN revisits his life’s work and the indelible imprint he left on cinema.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor September 21, 2022

In the week since his sudden passing, much has been done to remember French Swiss filmmaker Jean-Luc Godard. As critics worldwide pay him tribute, amateur archivists resurrect...

Against a light purple background lie pink headphones, a yellow backpack, a pair of black boots, two books and a picture.

Staff Recs: Back to school

The Arts Desk spotlights some of their favorite artworks dealing with the highs and lows of college life.

School is back, the semester is anew. Perhaps you’re still not in the mood for four-hour lectures, bulky worksheets or reading theory. If that’s the case, we’ve got you covered...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen To This: After five years, Björk returns with ‘Atopos’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by The 1975, FLETCHER and more.

Welcome back to Listen To This! Our first edition of the fall semester starts off strong with plenty of excellent releases spanning artpop, Britpop, electropop … well, just all...

A close up of a boy wearing a blue jacket, with his right hand on the wheel of a car.

Review: ‘Funny Pages’ finds soul between silliness and seediness

Owen Kline’s directorial debut hurls into the madcap world of underground comics with gleeful crassness. “Funny Pages” is currently playing at Film at Lincoln Center and is available for rent on video on demand.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor September 7, 2022

From the studio that distributed contemporary coming-of-age classics like “Lady Bird” and “20th Century Women,” Owen Kline’s “Funny Pages” is A24’s latest spin...

Person holding a red-covered comic book is looking up, standing in front of a shelf of cartoon books.

Director & star of A24’s ‘Funny Pages’ talk comics, subversive mentors & trusting your voice

WSN spoke with director Owen Kline and actor Daniel Zolghadri about their recent raunchy comedy. “Funny Games” is currently playing at Film at Lincoln Center and is available for rent on video on demand.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor September 1, 2022

Spoiler warning: This article includes spoilers for “Funny Pages.” Several years in the making, Owen Kline’s directorial debut “Funny Pages” offers a laugh that’s...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: beabadoobee maintains she’ll ‘See you Soon’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by MUNA, Flume and more.

Folks, here we are … the final edition of “Listen to This” of the semester. We’ve enjoyed writing up our favorite — and sometimes least favorite — singles of the week...

A portrait of a smiling Gaspar Noé wearing all black in front of a gray background.

Q&A: Filmmaker Gaspar Noé knows he won’t be remembered and doesn’t care

WSN spoke with Gaspar Noé about posterity, Andrei Tarkovsky’s “Solaris,” and how the film industry has changed since the pandemic.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor May 2, 2022

Spoiler warning: This article includes spoilers for “Vortex.” Everyone dies. Nothing will be remembered. These are the ideas circulating in Gaspar Noé’s head two...

An elderly couple holding hands sitting at the opposite end of a table accompanied by a middle-age male and an infant in a family living room.

Review: ‘Vortex’, a reminder that death is destiny

Gaspar Noé’s latest, “Vortex,” offers a simple, albeit heavy, meditation on death. “Vortex” opens in select theaters this weekend.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 29, 2022

“Vortex,” the latest film from Paris-based Argentinian provocateur Gaspar Noé, is a poignant reflection on the material insignificance of dying. As is to be expected from...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: Dear CVS, Megan Thee Stallion is stocking up on ‘Plan B’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Laufey, PinkPantheress and more.

Everybody seems to be talking about Coachella this week, and, well, we’re going to give you more of that. Megan Thee Stallion debuted her latest single, “Plan B,” at her...

A man with a long beard and hair stares straight ahead, his eyes downcast. He’s wearing a plain white shirt and is against a background of painted sideways flames.

Review: ‘Los Conductos,’ a woozy ride through the sunken corridors of Medellín

Camilo Restrepo’s debut feature, “Los Conductos,” offers a wild ride through Medellín’s criminal underworld. “Los Conductos” opens at Film at Lincoln Center on April 29.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 27, 2022

Camilo Restrepo announces himself to cinema in a blaze of glory with his feature film debut “Los Conductos.” Following Pinky’s (Luis Felipe Lozano) aimless parade across...

A still from the film of two women looking to the side and laughing. They are surrounded by metal bars on the side and are wearing saris.

Review: ‘Shorts Program II’ muses on death, memory and the fear of looming ecological disaster

New Directors/New Films 2022’s second program of short films collects a strong string of strange films concerned with humanity’s sense of impending death. “Shorts Program II” plays on Wednesday, April 27, at Film at Lincoln Center.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 26, 2022

The New Directors/New Films Festival continues its showcase of innovative short-form filmmaking with “Shorts Program II.” The second and final installment of ND/NF’s short...

An animated still of twin sisters driving a car. One is clutching the steering wheel looking ahead, while the other looks out the window.

Review: ‘Shorts Program I’ shows the youthful side of cinema with an assemblage of global coming-of-age stories

New Directors/New Films 2022’s first program of short films collects a diverse sampling of stories from around the globe and touches on the pains of growing up in the modern world. “Shorts Program I” plays on Tuesday, April 26, at Film at Lincoln Center. 
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 26, 2022

New Directors/New Films collects the most exciting voices of up-and-coming filmmaking. Although the festival’s feature-length titles, such as “Los Conductos” or “We’re...

Actress Joséphine Sanz wears a green sweater and a white turtleneck and holds a measuring cup with flour. Next to her, actress Gabrielle Sanz wears a green-and-blue sweater under overalls and holds a wooden spoon.

Review: ‘Petite Maman,’ a monumental miniature of magical moviemaking

“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” director Céline Sciamma’s latest effort indulges the act of seeing life through a child’s eyes. “Petite Maman” opens in select cinemas across New York City on April 22. 
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 21, 2022

After the success of Queer Palm winner “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019, Céline Sciamma returns to the silver screen with an...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: Phoebe Bridgers expands her sonic palette on “Sidelines”

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Jamie xx and Shin Hae Gyeong.

Phoebe Bridgers, a veteran of the indie scene, has been riding a big high since releasing her 2020 Grammy-nominated album, “Punisher.” Now, she’s also proven her business...

An illustration of a purple heart-shaped bong, two Oreo cookies and a pair of Beats earbuds against a bright green background.

Staff Recs: Crunchin’ the munchies

The Arts Desk recommends the best movies and music for dozing off into high heaven as you celebrate 4/20.

It’s twenty past four and you need something to do after toking and coughing on a spliff or devouring a brownie whose chemical makeup is a broken ratio of three parts cannabis,...

An illustration of a computer on a bed covered with a blue blanket. The computer’s screen displays a blue screen. Next to the computer is a small teacup.

Off the Radar: ‘Blue’ is 79 minutes of a single color addressing the injustices of the AIDS crisis

Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Blue” is available to stream on Kanopy.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 15, 2022

Instrumentalist Martin Rev stands onstage with his left hand playing piano and his right hand raised. Behind him is a blue and neon-pink backdrop.

Review: ‘Surrender’ is Suicide at their best

“Surrender,” Suicide’s first compilation album, is a celebration of the anarchic synth-punk of a New York staple.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 14, 2022
“Surrender,” Suicide’s first compilation album, is a celebration of the anarchic synth-punk of a New York staple.
An illustration of Yung Lean and FKA Twigs under teal fluorescent light.

Review: ‘Stardust’ sees Yung Lean strip rap back to its most guttural

The Swedish rapper’s latest mixtape packs a star-studded slew of features who take turns stabbing away at the triteness of rap’s current formulaity.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 13, 2022

Yung Lean’s newest mixtape, “Stardust,” revives cloud rap by embracing its haziest features: its mumbled murkiness, vaporwave production and shape-shifting sonic grammar....

Workers on the picket line walking in an oval formation in front of the AFA theater hold signs saying “UAW on Strike” and “Reel Work is Real Work.”

Anthology Film Archives staff goes on strike

Anthology Film Archives, the renowned East Village film institution known for screening avant-garde cinema, shut its doors when workers took to the streets to protest stagnant wages and union-busting actions from its board of trustees.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 4, 2022

Anthology Film Archives’ staff went on strike on March 31, 2022. AFA’s staff initiated labor contract negotiations back in September of 2021. Their demands focused on higher...

An illustrated portrait of Robert Patison’s Batman. The illustration is close up on his face and he is wearing heavy black under eye makeup.

The inescapable campiness of ‘The Batman’

With a whopping three-hour long runtime and a cast full of attractive faces in silly costumes, "The Batman" exemplifies the inherent silliness of Hollywood's attempts to transform comic book schlock into material worthy of criticism.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 30, 2022

When Bill Finger and Bob Kane’s Batman first jumped from the comic book page to the silver screen, he did so wearing an excessively tight gray undershirt complemented by two...

An illustration of three Oscar awards, with one placed further in front of the other two to create a triangle.

This year’s Oscars hit different

The 94th Academy Awards were a harrowing milestone for streaming services, an ultimate victory for “CODA” and the slap heard around the world. Also: a full list of winners.
JP Pak, Film & TV Editor March 29, 2022

On Sunday, 15.4 million viewers tuned in for one of the wildest nights in Oscars history. The night marked a historic rebound for the Academy, with the show drawing in a 30% bump...

A wide-angle photograph of the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, where the 2022 Academy Awards were held. Hundreds of guests fill the auditorium. In the foreground, two guests sit at a table wearing red carpet attire. In the background, the Oscars logo is shown on a screen mounted onto the stage.

NYU alums and faculty garner Oscar wins for ‘CODA,’ ‘Summer of Soul’

Clive Davis faculty Questlove won best documentary feature award with “Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)” and NYU alum Ged Dickersin took home an Oscar for production work on best picture winner “Coda” at the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 28, 2022

NYU alums and faculty won Oscars for best documentary feature and best picture and received nominations in multiple categories at the 94th Academy Awards on Sunday, evidence of...

Misha Tyutyunik painting a colorful mural on a beige brick wall. He is wearing a black jacket, hoodie and beanie. He holds a paintbrush in his right hand and a cup of black paint in his left.

Ukrainian artist Misha Tyutyunik unveils a new mural in the Ukrainian Village

Citizens Bank, the Ukrainian National Women's League of America and Ukrainian artist Misha Tyutyunik put together an interactive mural painting in the Ukrainian Village to show solidarity for the community where the bank’s branch resides.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 28, 2022

Ukrainian artist Misha Tyutyunik, 38, began painting a mural of Kyiv on the northeast corner of the Citizens Bank at the intersection of East 9th St. and 2nd Ave. to mark one month...

A black-and-white picture of director and actress Kinuyo Tanaka holding a movie camera.

Kinuyo Tanaka: master of melodrama

Kinuyo Tanaka’s career as a director has long been overshadowed by her extensive acting career. A new retrospective at Film at Lincoln Center exhibits her mastery over filmmaking with a set of illustrious restorations.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 25, 2022

Kinuyo Tanaka first became involved in filmmaking at the age of 14. Over the course of her extensive career, she would appear in over 250 films, working alongside the likes of...

A Taiwanese woman dressed in formal attire is holding a phone as she lies down on an uncovered mattress.

Review: ‘Vive L’Amour’ chillingly conveys the ennui of the everyday

The new 2K restoration of Tsai Ming-liang’s second feature-length film “Vive L’Amour” is currently playing at Metrograph. The film follows three lovelorn denizens of Taipei unknowingly sharing the same vacant apartment to escape their daily grind.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 22, 2022

The films of Taiwanese slow cinema pioneer Tsai Ming-liang capture so rigidly the minute motions of the everyday that they border on absurdism. His second film, “Vive L’Amour,”...

A close-up shot of bright orange lava.

Q&A with ‘Rock Bottom Riser’ director Fern Silva

WSN spoke with Fern Silva about Hawaii, Dwayne Johnson, colonialism and cinema as a point of inquiry.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 7, 2022

At first glance, Fern Silva’s “Rock Bottom Riser” is a documentary about Hawaii. But through Silva’s tapestry of visceral sights and sounds, it becomes a sui generis piece...

A silhouette of swaying palm trees in front of a burnt orange sunset. In the center of the background is a giant golden sun surrounded by an orange cloudy sky.

Review: ‘Rock Bottom Riser’ rocks

Fern Silva’s feature-length debut is an electrifying documentary on Hawaii. “Rock Bottom Riser” opens this weekend at the Metrograph.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 4, 2022

Through his exploration of myth, Fern Silva brings out the realness of places. His feature film debut, “Rock Bottom Riser,” digs deep into the long and complicated history...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: Nilüfer Yanya’s latest song confirms she’s an idol in the making

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Rosalía, BANKS and more.

“the dealer” by Nilüfer Yanya Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor To list the music idols who have come from the United Kingdom would be to write a never-ending book....

An illustration of a frog wearing a red suit and magenta pants. The frog is playing the saxophone and is on top of a blue background speckled with stars and spotlight rays.

Review: ‘Strawberry Mansion’ is a sweet delight

“Strawberry Mansion” marks Kentucker Audley and Albert Birney’s second collaboration after the success of “Sylvio.” It is currently playing in select cinemas.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 1, 2022

Kentucker Audley and Albert Birney’s “Strawberry Mansion” is like a René Magritte painting brought to life. Channeling the wild imagination of Terry Gilliam and filtering...

An illustration of Daft Punk wearing sparkling black suits in front of a blue ombre background. The figure on the left wears a golden helmet covering his entire head and the figure on the right wears a silver helmet.

Daft Punk: Robot rock for the world

Daft Punk’s debut album “Homework” recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. We revisited the legacy of the famous DJ duo.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor February 28, 2022

Last year, Daft Punk released a video of themselves self-destructing to announce their retirement. This year marks the 25th anniversary of their debut album, “Homework.”  Electronic...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: Jack Harlow exudes confidence on ‘Nail Tech’

Read about this week’s most notable singles by Sabrina Carpenter, Porridge Radio and more.

After the music video for “INDUSTRY BABY” dropped, one thing became clear: Jack Harlow is hot — like, really hot — but he can also spit bars. Seven months later, Kanye...

A headshot of Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier.

Leaps of faith: Q&A with director Joachim Trier of ‘The Worst Person in the World’

WSN spoke with Joachim Trier about failure, impatience in filmmaking and what it means to be the worst person in the world.
JP Pak, Film & TV Editor February 22, 2022

In his 2006 debut feature “Reprise,” Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier began the Oslo trilogy with melancholy. He followed it up in 2011 with “Oslo, August 31st,” a quiet...

Instead of subscription-based streaming services such as Netflix and HBO Max, NYU community members also have the option to stream films through video databases provided by Bobst Library. (Staff Illustration by Aaliya Luthra)

Free movies through Bobst: Navigating NYU’s wide range of streaming services

As competing streaming services become more expensive, it’s hard to know which ones to choose. Consider checking out the myriad of free streaming databases available through Bobst.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor February 18, 2022

As new streaming services like Ovid.tv compete against old titans like Netflix, NYU students struggle to decide what service serves their taste in media and budget best.  Luckily,...

As lovers celebrate their romantic holiday, Valentine’s Day can be the perfect time to enjoy a heartbreaking breakup album. (Staff Illustration by Aaliya Luthra)

This Valentine’s Day, listen to a breakup album

If you’re bitter about being alone on Valentine’s Day, check out the breakup albums we rounded up so you didn’t have to.

We’ve all been there — as Feb. 14 approaches, it seems impossible to escape anything red, pink or heart-shaped. If you’re single, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something...

If securing a Valentine’s date proves to be a failure, WSN has you covered with a list of movies to watch alone on Valentine’s Day. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

Staff Recs: Anti-Valentine’s Day films

The Arts Desk recommends the best films to protest Saint Valentine’s Day.

“The Living End” directed by Gregg Araki Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor Nothing says Saint Valentine’s Day like sex, death and hedonism. Gregg Araki’s New Queer...

The 94th Oscar nominations saw academy voters recognize streaming services, with Netflix, Amazon and Apple TV+ receiving close to 40 nominations. (Image courtesy of Kirsty Griffin/Netflix)

Oscar nominations 2022: Streaming takes center stage during the awards’ biggest test yet

The 94th Academy Award nominations were released on Tuesday. The full list of nominations is a strange mix of questionable picks haunted by a long list of snubs.
JP Pak and Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer February 9, 2022

In an attempt to celebrate 2021’s lethargic return to theatrical moviegoing, Oscar voters chose to recognize streaming services’ growing command of the film industry. Together,...

Gene Hackman in the 1974 mystery-thriller film "The Conversation.” (Image courtesy of Rialto pictures)

Review: ‘The Conversation’ and its musings on state surveillance are even scarier 50 years after its initial run

Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor February 7, 2022
Francis Ford Coppola’s Palme d’Or-winning “The Conversation” remains an incredible investigation into the life of a man whose world is falling apart.
“XCXHXEXRXRXIXEXSX” is an experimental film exploring themes of sexuality and pornography. The film is the latest project from avant-garde filmmaker Ken Jacobs. (Staff Photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

Review: ‘XCXHEXRXRXIXEXSX’ brings sex back to the big screen

Ken Jacobs' “XCXHEXRXRXIXEXSX” is part of the Roxy Cinema’s “The Carnal Screening: Erotic Visions,” a series devoted to exploring sexuality on the silver screen. Jacobs' experimental film delves into the cosmic nature of life and sex through a series of hallucinatory, pornographic images.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor February 2, 2022

Pornography has never looked as psychedelic as it does under the careful editing of legendary experimental filmmaker Ken Jacobs.  Jacobs and the Film-Makers’ Cooperative...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: After teasing it on TikTok, Charlie Puth’s ‘Light Switch’ is finally here

Read about this week’s most notable singles from Father John Misty, Destroyer and more.

Welcome back to Listen to This! We’re back with the first edition of the spring semester. Spanning several genres, we’ve got nine great songs this week, which all came out...

“Wuhan Driver,” a short film directed by Tiger Ji, a Gallatin junior, follows a Chinese Uber driver experiencing racist interactions with several passengers in New York City during the pandemic. (Image courtesy of Tiger Ji)

Review: ‘Wuhan Driver’ loses its call to action, and itself, in vapid storytelling

“Wuhan Driver” is the latest short film by Tiger Ji, a Gallatin junior. The film follows a Chinese Uber driver dealing with a series of terrible riders at the onset of the pandemic in New York City.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor January 25, 2022

Depicting an abysmal — and, perhaps, heartbreakingly recurring — night in the life of a Chinese Uber driver, Zhang (Wayne Chang), “Wuhan Driver” condenses a series of racist...

Mario Balmaseda and Yolanda Cuéllar are seen lying in bed during a scene from the Cuban film “One Way or Another.” This film was recently preserved by MoMA's “To Save and Project.” (Courtesy Arsenal – Institut für Film und Videokunst)

Review: ‘One Way or Another’ exposes the phoniness of so-called revolutionary men

Sara Gómez’s “One Way or Another” is part of the MoMA’s “To Save and Project,” a film series devoted to showcasing the latest in film preservation. Gómez’s film expertly documents Cuba’s ongoing crusade to align its citizens with the aims of the revolution.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor January 24, 2022

Sara Gómez’s “One Way or Another” offers a feminist critique of the Cuban revolution that unmasks the so-called revolutionary qualities of the “new men” who supported...

Michael Steinhardt, after whom NYU Steinhardt is named, was recently ordered to surrender $70 million worth of stolen antiquities. Steinhardt student groups are demanding the name be removed after a similar demand was ignored after Michael Steinhardt’s sexual harrassment case in 2018. (Staff Photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

Photo: Trustees will probe Michael Steinhardt’s conduct, NYU says

December 9, 2021

Michael Steinhardt, after whom NYU Steinhardt is named, was recently ordered to surrender $70 million worth of stolen antiquities. Steinhardt student groups are demanding the name...

The Steinhardt school was previously named the NYU School of Education before Michael and Judy Steinhardt's donation. (Staff Photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

Photo: Michael Steinhardt surrenders stolen antiquities worth $70 million 

Kristian Burt and Rachel Cohen December 7, 2021

The Steinhardt school was previously named the NYU School of Education before Michael and Judy Steinhardt's donation. (Staff Photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

Stephen Sondheim, an American composer and lyricist, started his theater career by writing the lyrics for “West Side Story” in 1957. The eight-time Tony Award winner died on Nov. 26, 2021, at age 91. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Stephen Sondheim: a legend who lives on

Eight-time Tony Award and eight-time Grammy Award winning composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim died on Nov. 26, 2021, at age 91.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor November 30, 2021

A few days have passed since composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim's sudden death at age 91, and I am still struggling to make sense of my grief. I grew up with Sondheim. I sang...

“The French Dispatch,” a 2021 film written, directed and produced by Wes Anderson, explores the separate storylines of three past articles being republished in honor of the dead editor of The French Dispatch Magazine. The image shows a scene between Zeffirelli (Timothée Chalamet) and Juliette (Lyna Khoudri). (Image courtesy of Searchlight Pictures)

Review: ‘The French Dispatch’ and the tyrannical tenderness of Wes Anderson

Wes Anderson’s 10th feature film, “The French Dispatch,” presents itself as an apogee of aesthetic redundancy.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Abroad Editor November 2, 2021

Wes Anderson does not make films that take place on planet Earth. No, his films take place in the mind of the idealistic teenage wonderer who ponders atop the toilet for too long...

Yoo's interest in aesthetic philosophy was a significant source of her inspiration in her crafts. (Photo courtesy of Sophia Somin Yoo)

Sophia Somin Yoo: A curator’s voice

The designer, ceramicist and art curator finds purpose in bringing new ideas into focus.
JP Pak, Film & TV Editor October 22, 2021

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced independent art galleries to consider closing their businesses, curator and ceramicist Sophia Somin Yoo saw an opportunity to begin something new. “It...

On Sept. 22, University officials made the decision to ban NYU’s performing arts clubs from meeting in person for the time being. This decision creates confusion when considering that most of NYU’s activities take place in person. (Photo by Nika Woodfill)

NYU, reverse the ban on in-person performing arts clubs

On Sept. 22, university senior leadership prohibited performing arts clubs from meeting in-person until further notice. But with a majority of university activity in person, this decision is unfair.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor October 4, 2021

Put yourself in an NYU student’s shoes.  You love choreographing with Pulse Dance Project, singing an alto harmony for the N’Harmonics, performing sketches for Friends...

Amalia Ulman, an Argentine performance artist, makes her directorial debut with the narrative-driven “El Planeta.” The film, shot in black and white, depicts post-recession contemporary culture. (Photo courtesy of Utopia)

‘El Planeta’ Review: A witty, ethically complicated dramedy

Telling the story of a mother and daughter faking their way through the wake of a recession, Amalia Ulman’s sly, offbeat comedy film is a modern classic.
Ana Cubas, Arts Editor September 27, 2021

A middle-aged woman struggles to carry two boxes while sporting a dashing fur coat. The first words spoken in “El Planeta” are “I’m not returning your online purchases...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to this: Metallica covers growl alongside lush pop tunes

Read about the most notable singles this week by Mac DeMarco, Troye Sivan and more.

This week’s reviews range from covers of Metallica’s “The Black Album” to a slinky Big Thief song about certainty. They discuss Radiohead’s upcoming triple-album release...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to this: Singles from August

In case you missed it, here are new tracks by Kacey Musgraves, BTS and more.

August may have slipped away into a moment in time — and sipped away like a bottle of wine — but that doesn’t mean August releases have to! If you feel like refreshing your...

A star-studded lineup of musicians celebrating the return to semi-normalcy drew large and enthusiastic crowds. Unfortunately for the revelers, the event was cut short due to lightning from Hurricane Henri. (Image courtesy of Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

Review: ‘WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert’

New York’s anticipated COVID-19 recovery event was an off-key, optimistic celebration, until halted due to Hurricane Henri.
Ana Cubas, Arts Editor August 30, 2021

With a Broadway-like dazzle, “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert,” was a candy-coated outlook on the city’s resurgence after COVID-19. In the assortment of indulgent performances,...

The world is full of critics and people wanting to shut you out. That’s all the more reason to make your art. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Dear Artist: Risks have rewards

In a world filled with criticism, some artists feel pressured to conform to what is considered mainstream. However, now is the time for artists to reclaim what is truly theirs: art itself.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor August 30, 2021

Let’s face it: people are insecure. Between balancing the desire for social acceptance and putting forth our most authentic selves, we feel as if every decision we make puts...

“Zola,” directed by NYU alumna Janicza Bravo, is a 2020 comedy-drama film based on a twitter thread. “Zola” is now in theaters and available to rent on demand. (Image courtesy of A24)

“Zola” Review: A modern Floridian fairytale

Janicza Bravo’s sophomore feature is a dazzling adaptation of a legendary Twitter thread.
JP Pak, Film & TV Editor August 25, 2021

If you were on Twitter in 2015, before it was ruled by toxic sanctimony and political scorn, you might remember it as a sort of Wild West — uncharted territory with outlaws,...

50 years after its original release, artist George Harrison has re-released his album “All Things Must Pass.” “All Things Must Pass (50th Anniversary)” remixes and remasters the original, while also providing fans with outtakes and additional tracks. (Image via Wikimedia Commons, Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)

‘All Things Must Pass (50th Anniversary)’ provides thrilling insight into George Harrison’s artistic process

The remaster of George Harrison’s solo debut demonstrates the benefits of extended albums.
Ana Cubas, Arts Editor August 25, 2021

“All Things Must Pass” finally achieves the emotional impact it initially set out to create. The remastered album is gracefully dense, with oozing, pulsating bass and divine...

Directed by Dan Shaw, "Cryptozoo" is a new animated adventure. Mythological creatures called cryptids star in the film, available in theaters beginning August 20. (Image courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)

Review: “Cryptozoo”

“Cryptozoo” is what you get when you give a four-year-old amalgamation of Robert Breer and Hunter S. Thompson a box of crayons. It is available on demand and in theaters starting on August 20.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Abroad Arts Editor August 20, 2021

Dazzling does not cut it; Dash Shaw makes films that embody what Humphry Osmond must have envisioned when he coined the term “psychedelic.” Beautifully animated and gloriously...

Starring Adam Driver and Marion Cotillard, "Annette" is a Rock Opera centered around a chaotic artistic couple. "Annette" is now in theaters and Amazon Prime. (Image courtesy of Amazon Studios)

Review: “Annette”

Directed by Leos Carax and written by Sparks, “Annette” is as weird as you’d expect. “Annette” is currently playing in theaters and available via Amazon Prime.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Abroad Arts Editor August 19, 2021

“Annette” is deranged. Adapted from a screenplay by odd bod duo Sparks — Ron and Russell Mael — and directed by Leos Carax, “Annette” is the first true rock opera since...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to this: Singles from July

In case you missed it, here are new tracks by Bo Burnham, Peggy Gou and more.

WSN’s music desk is no longer on summer hiatus. While the staff took a short break, the music world delivered hundreds of singles to sift through and enjoy. And yet, through...

“Mandibles,” written and directed by Quentin Dupieux, follows Manu (Grégoire Ludig), Jean-Gab (David Marsais), and a bug. This film is available on-demand and in theaters starting July 23. (Photo Courtesy of Magnet Releasing)

Review: “Mandibles”

Quentin Dupieux is back with another filmic reverie. His latest feature follows two friends coasting around France, getting into all sorts of hijinks and trying to tame a giant fly. The film is available on demand and in theaters as of July 23.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Abroad Arts Editor July 23, 2021

“Mandibles” purports to be a film about two buddies and a bug; it begs to be bizarre. But the truth is, “Mandibles” is no more than a simple film about how friendship gets...

Paul Schrader’s directorial debut, "Blue Collar," is a 1978 American crime drama film following three blue-collar workers. This film is currently playing at Film Forum until July 22. (Image Courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Review: “Blue Collar”

Paul Schrader’s 1978 directorial debut is a morality play from hell. “Blue Collar” is currently playing at Film Forum until July 22.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Abroad Arts Editor July 20, 2021

As a hard cocktail of proletariat pornography and moral conundrums, Paul Schrader’s 1978 film “Blue Collar” contains enough muscular men hard at work to make Rivera jealous...

‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair’ is an original coming-of-age horror film that explores the experience of a young girl coming up in today's lonely internet-age.
(Illustration by Lucy Geronime)

‘We’re All Going to the World’s Fair’ offers a strange spin on the coming-of-age genre

Directed by Jane Schoenburn, “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” offers an alternative coming-of-age tale for horror aficionados. The film is currently playing as part ND/NF 2021.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor May 5, 2021

“We’re All Going to the World’s Fair” perfectly encapsulates the humdrum existence of the modern American teen who spends their time scouring the internet with the hopes...

“Dark Red Forest” is a documentary directed by Jin Huaqing. This documentary captures the annual retreat of thousands of red-cloaked Tibetan nuns to the Tibetan Plateau. (Photo Courtesy of Cinetic Media)

‘Dark Red Forest’ points you toward nirvana

Directed by Jin Huaqing, “Dark Red Forest” is a loving ode to religious perseverance in adverse conditions. The film is currently playing as part of ND/NF 2021.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor May 4, 2021

Thousands of Tibetan nuns retreat to the Tibetan plateau each year and live in small wooden houses under extreme weather conditions. Jin Huaqing’s directorial debut “Dark Red...

All Lights, Everywhere provides a  stunning and insightful commentary on the development of cameras, and surveillance. The film delves deep into how the images produced are shaped not only by the camera but the people behind the lenses. (Image courtesy of NEON Productions)

‘All Light, Everywhere’ offers an enlightening viewing experience

Theo Anthony’s documentary on surveillance, policing and the strange relationship between the development of guns and cameras will close out this year’s New Directors/New Films Festival.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor May 3, 2021

Theo Anthony’s “All Light, Everywhere” is that rare type of film that forces viewers to reappraise their reality. It chips away at viewers’ preconceptions of authority...

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...

"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...

"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...

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to This: Singles from April 17-23

In case you missed it, here are new tracks by Day6, Alanis Morissette and more.

The relationship between an artist and the listener can be a powerful one. Music often formulates or elicits emotions we cannot formulate as eloquently, or universalizes personal...

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...

Paul Simon is an American musician, singer, and songwriter who found solo success after his duo Simon & Garfunkel split in 1970. Paul Simon and Bob Dylan have continually been construed as rivals as they both have similar 1960s folk roots. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Paul Simon is no historical footnote

Another catalog sold, another legacy at stake.
Ana Cubas, Music Editor April 21, 2021

What good does it do to pin two influential artists against each other? Jeff Slate’s April 2 piece for NBC Think argued that Paul Simon would end up a ‘historical footnote’...

Imad Khachan presents a chess piece to the camera. Khachan owns Chess Forum in Greenwich Village on Thompson. (Staff Photo by Manasa Gudavalli)

Chess Forum is home to Greenwich Village’s chess-playing community

Owner Imad Khachan shares what chess meant to him growing up in Lebanon, how Chess Forum became a Greenwich Village icon and what the pandemic and “The Queen’s Gambit” mean for contemporary chess culture.
Ana Cubas, Music Editor April 16, 2021

Imad Khachan, the owner of Greenwich Village’s Chess Forum, wants all visitors to feel at home. He joked that the tiny wood-saturated shop has the feel and smell of a grandparent’s...

Bill Traylor was an African-American self-taught artist from Alabama. “Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts” by Jeffrey Wolf is a wonderful summary of this artist's life and career. (Photo by Horace Perry, Courtesy of Kino Lorber)

‘Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts’ review: A dry overview of an incredible artist

Directed by Jeffrey Wolf, “Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts” acts as a comprehensive but unengaging documentary about outsider artist Bill Traylor.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor April 15, 2021

Barely stretching itself out to a 75-minute runtime, “Bill Traylor: Chasing Ghosts” is the perfect example of a documentary whose subject matter outshines its depiction.  Directed...

GODZILLA and KONG in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure “GODZILLA VS. KONG,” a Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures release. (Image Courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures)

‘Godzilla vs. Kong’ Review: The joys of absurdity

The fourth installment in Warner Brothers’ MonsterVerse franchise is the colossal action movie we need right now.
JP Pak, Film & TV Editor April 2, 2021

This is what we’re thinking: we’ll make a big monkey fight a big lizard. We’ll cast that girl from “Stranger Things” as a woke, rebellious teenager. The FBI agent in...

“Working Together: The Photographers of the Kamoinge Workshop" is an exhibition in the Whitney Museum of American Art, located in Lower Manhattan. This exhibition on the legacy of the Kamoinge Workshop comes to an end, after its opening in November. (Staff Photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

The Whitney’s exhibition on the legacy of the Kamoinge Workshop comes to an end

“Working Together: The Photographers of the Kamoinge Workshop” animates the art and practice of the legendary Black photography collective from the 1960s.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 29, 2021

A photograph featuring 14 Black photographers stands at the center of the Whitney Museum of American Art’s 8th floor. Some of them are laughing, others stand stoically, but they...

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development's female Music Technology students are taking note of the lack of representation and under-compensation for women in the music industry. The female music technology students are deprived of student diversity and role models within their field. (Staff Photo by Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer)

Photo: Music technology: not just a man’s world

March 29, 2021

NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development's female Music Technology students are taking note of the lack of representation and under-compensation for women...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Weekly Radio Roundup: March 12 – March 19

Read about the most notable singles released this week.
Holden Lay, Ana Cubas, Perry Gregory and Sophia Carr March 19, 2021

As midterms come to a close and our short-lived spring break begins, we are reminded of the healing, enticing nature of music. From the cathartic glitches of Laura Les to the entrancing...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Weekly Radio Roundup: March 5 – March 11

Read about the most notable singles released this week.

This past week’s releases provided a glimpse into the new sounds and influences trending in the music industry.  From soul music to 1970s glam rock, these tracks gave us an...

Arab Strap's latest album, “As Days Get Dark,” depicts statuesque bodies on its album cover. “As Days Get Dark” is Arab Strap's first studio album in 16 years. (Staff Photos by Alexandra Chan, Manasa Gudavalli, Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

‘As Days Get Dark’ Review: Arab Strap’s Latest Offers Drab Diction and Lulling Lyrics

Arab Strap’s latest album, “As Days Get Dark,” comes at a depressing time with saddening songs. Featuring a bout of lackluster experimentation, the album doesn’t amount to much despite its intentions.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Arts Editor March 9, 2021

With their latest album, “As Days Get Dark,” Arab Strap doubles down on the thickness of their Scottish brogue while delivering deliberately dreary dance tunes. Fluctuating...

“Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” released on Apple TV+, is a music documentary about singer-songwriter Billie Eilish. The documentary showcases both the good and bad moments of Billie Eilish's life and stardom.
(Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Billie Eilish’s documentary breaks barriers of pop stardom

This candid-but-unfiltered documentary is as unconventional as Eilish herself.
Ana Cubas, Music Editor March 8, 2021

“Billie Eilish: The World’s a Little Blurry,” directed by R.J. Cutler, whose past documentary films include “The September Issue” and “The War Room,” is the newest...

Originally released in 1991,“Thank You and Good Night” was restored by IndieCollect and acts as a love letter to Jan Oxenberg’s grandmother, Mae Joffe. Choosing to infuse the film with a childlike wonder, a sense of nostalgia blossoms that illustrates the beautiful dynamic between her existence as a child being attached to a notion of care bestowed by her grandmother (Photo Courtesy of Nico Chapin)

‘Thank You and Good Night,’ A Film Like No Other

Jan Oxenberg’s newest movie,“Thank You and Good Night”, acts as a love letter to the director’s grandmother as it grapples with themes of death and decay.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Film & TV Editor September 24, 2020

It is rare for a filmmaker to be present in every single frame of a film, to envelop themselves in every speck of celluloid and convey themselves in their own art; yet somehow...

Movies like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro will transport you to new places without leaving the comfort of your bedroom. As the nights get colder and longer, the Washington Square News staff wants to make sure you have great movies to watch. (Staff Illustration by Chandler Littleford)

Staff Recs: Comfort Movies

Sometimes when the outside world becomes too much, a good movie is the best form of escapism.

“Fiddler on the Roof” by Norman Jewison Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor My grandma and I sing “If I Were a Rich Man” a lot. What can I say? We just love practicing our “biddy...

The arts desk is back with some recommendations of singles you may have missed this week. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)

Weekly Radio Roundup: Sept. 15 – Sept. 21

Read about the most notable singles released this week.

This edition of Weekly Radio Roundup exhibits singles released by old and new artists, reminding us that good music remains relevant regardless of its release, and feelings of...

The New York Film Festival (NYFF) is an annual film festival held every autumn in New York City, presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center. This year, it will kick off with virtual accessibility for all and this guide should be your companion in deciding which film to check out. (Staff Illustration by Deborah Alalade)

NYFF: A Digital Celebration of Cinema

With New York Film Festival 58 offering unprecedented accessibility, WSN Film Editor Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer has created a guide to understand the festival’s many titles and lineups.
Nicolas Pedrero-Setzer, Film Editor September 17, 2020

As New York Film Festival 58 kicks off with virtual accessibility for all, this guide might aid you in deciding what films are worth checking out. Due to the ongoing effects of...