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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

An illustration of a silver and black laptop shows a scene of a young boy holding a book, looking at a woman wearing a hijab who is hanging clothes on a clothesline. A white and blue cup full of tea sits in front of the laptop.

Off the Radar: ‘Where Is My Friend’s House?’ and the importance of empathy

Off the Radar is a weekly column surveying overlooked films available to students for free via NYU’s streaming partnerships. “Where Is My Friend’s House?” is available to stream on Kanopy.
Yezen Saadah, News Editor March 24, 2023

Abbas Kiarostami is considered by many to be one of the most innovative filmmakers of all time. While the late Iranian director is most famous for his experimental auteur films...

A black and white photograph of people on the right side holding their hands up. They are surrounded by men in uniform.

Review: ‘The Sorrow and the Pity’: Once illegal, now in theaters

The film returned to theaters on Feb. 24, 50 years after director Marcel Ophuls exposed how the French Vichy government secretly collaborated with the Nazis during World War II.
Ashley Simons, Contributing Writer February 27, 2023

“The Sorrow and the Pity,” a landmark documentary from 1969, is now in theaters with a breathtaking 4K restoration after years of being banned. The film immerses viewers in...

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...

A teenager wearing a green jacket and a burnt orange beanie is standing, holding a guitar case on his back. A woman stands to the right of the teenager, wearing wire-frame glasses and black clothes. They are looking at one another.

Review: ‘When You Finish Saving the World’ doesn’t know what to do with itself

Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut flounders — much like its two main characters.
Colleen Secaur, Contributing Writer February 7, 2023

A “Jesse Eisenberg character” is an archetype easily constructed in the moviegoing public’s mind. He’s awkward, pretentious and neurotic — and maybe a bit moneyed and...

An illustration of the Washington Square Arch. Behind the arch sits gray and brown alternating high-rises. On the top right are the words “The Daybook” in an arched shape.

What to do this week: Free ice skating, NYU Club Fest, student film festival

The Daybook is WSN’s weekly column listing in-person and online events at NYU and across New York City. This week: Jan. 30-Feb. 5.
Adrianna Nehme, Deputy News Editor January 29, 2023

A screening of Shyamalan's suspenseful ‘Knock at the Cabin' 7-9 p.m. at AMC 19th Street, 890 Broadway Attend the NYU Program Board’s pre-release screening of “Knock at...

An elderly man looks down at his watch in front of a beige building. He is wearing a black derby with an indigo striped suit, a pink shirt and a purple patterned tie. He is also holding a light brown wooden cane in his right hand.

Review: ‘Living’ is a remarkably pointless rendition of an all-time classic

“Living,” the British remake of Akira Kurosawa’s “Ikiru,” excels in being just that, but unfortunately offers nothing new. 
Yezen Saadah, Deputy News Editor December 15, 2022

South African filmmaker Oliver Hermanus’ latest film, “Living,” is a British adaptation of the 1952 masterpiece by Akira Kurosawa, “Ikiru.” It is a story about Mr. Williams...

An illustration of two people. On the left is a man wearing a dark suit looking to the left. On the right is a woman with dark hair facing sideways while looking to the front.

Review: ‘Closed Circuit’ fails to examine human condition through its provocative filmmaking

Tal Inbar’s “Closed Circuit,” an international selection at DOC NYC, undermines cinema’s humanist value in exploiting trauma for insincerity and shock value.
Yezen Saadah, Deputy News Editor December 7, 2022

Tal Inbar’s “Closed Circuit” is about as disingenuous as a documentary can be. This isn’t because of its subject matter or lack of atmosphere, but rather its excessively...

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...

Miklós Jancsó reimagines an ancient Greek myth in his 1974 film currently playing at the Metrograph. “Electra, My Love” uses an ancient narrative as a statement on contemporary politics. (Image courtesy of Metrograph and Kino Lorber)

Review: ‘Electra, My Love’ embodies the limits of revolution myths

Miklós Jancsó’s revolutionary 1974 reimagining of the ancient Greek myth of Electra is currently playing at Metrograph as part of a retrospective on the Hungarian director.
Katherine Williams, Contributing Writer January 26, 2022

In 1974, Hungarian director and screenwriter Miklós Jancsó said, “I used to think that humanity could be saved.”  But “Electra, My Love,” his film from the same year,...

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...

In the wake of COVID-19, many people have turned to their streaming services. However, the future for traditional movie theatres is now in jeopardy. (Staff Photo by Fareid El Gafy)

Don’t Give up on the Cinemas

Filmmakers, moviegoers and critics weigh in on the future of movie theaters after the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mas Bouzidi, Contributing Writer March 31, 2020

Since the coronavirus pandemic has swept the nation and the world, it seemed only natural that all public venues, including movie theaters, would need to shut down. It started...