This past month, due to various, mostly connected news items, the concept of free speech has been a topic of discussion around the country. There are plenty of films out there dealing with the First Amendment, including Liz Garbus’s Shouting Fire: Stories from the Edge of Free Speech (now streaming on HBO Max) and Yael Melamede’s Floyd Abrams: Speaking Freely (on PBS Passport), both of which focus on attorneys famous for cases concerning this particular right of Americans.
I also wanted to mention one documentary I was reminded of recently, where the circumstances seem relevant yet so tame in retrospect. Barbara Kopple’s Shut Up and Sing (now streaming free on Tubi) focuses on the backlash against the Chicks (then known as the Dixie Chicks) because of singer Natalie Maines’s criticism of President George W. Bush during a concert. It’s worth considering the difference between state-imposed (or even pressured) censorship and commercial consequences.
Additionally, I wish to again recognize that this year’s new releases have included a few important films spotlighting issues concerning free speech and freedom of the press in other countries, potentially serving as a warning to the U.S. The most notable is the epic feature My Undesirable Friends: Part I – Last Air in Moscow, which follows several women working in news media in Russia as Putin’s government declares them enemies of the state. Another currently in theaters, Democracy Noir looks at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his efforts to control the media there.
Without further ado, below are this week’s documentary highlights, including capsule reviews of new nonfiction films and series. They are followed by daily listings for all notable releases and a brief look at what’s coming soon for doc fans. Please consider becoming a paid subscriber to receive more in-depth highlights and reviews in the future, and to give me more time to watch more (if not everything) available. If you have a doc in need of coverage or a mention in our listings, you can reach me at christopherbartoncampbell (at) gmail. Also, apologies for any errors this week, as this edition was compiled in advance because I was on holiday for the last seven days.
Nonfics Pick Of The Week: Grey Gardens (1975)
One of the best documentaries of all time turns 50 years old this week and deserves to be recognized above all other highlights. Directed by Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Ellen Hovde, and Muffie Meyer, Grey Gardens is a monumental film in terms of its artistic craft and entertainment factor, and its legacy is unlike anything else in the nonfiction cinema space. (For better and worse: I can appreciate drag queens impersonating Little Edie, but the Documentary Now! parody of the film feels a little too insensitive in its mockery.) Some of us fans may or may not have even named our daughter after its iconic duo.
For those of you who are somehow documentary aficionados but not familiar with Grey Gardens, it’s a portrait of a mother and daughter living in a decaying mansion in the Hamptons as they reflect on their once-lavish lives as socialites. Their eccentricities are amusing yet endearing, giving us the most staunch characters ever to appear on film. And if you can’t get enough of them, there’s sort of a sequel made up of outtakes. The British Film Institute has also just put out a book on Grey Gardens that examines what makes it a classic (my copy is on its way, and I can’t wait to read it). Now it’s time to celebrate half a century since its New York Film Festival premiere on September 27, 1975, by sunning on your porch, surrounding yourself with cats and maybe a raccoon, and having some chopped meat and a baked potato at a certain hour.
Grey Gardens is currently available to stream on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel. You should follow it with a marathon of its offshoots, including The Beales of Grey Gardens (HBO Max and The Criterion Channel), The Marble Faun of Grey Gardens (if you can find it), That Summer (Kanopy and AMC+), and the dramatic remake of Grey Gardens starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange (HBO Max).
Other Documentary Highlights
Chantal Akerman Documentaries (Part 3)
Continuing our spotlight on Chantal Akerman from the last two weeks, in support of the “Chantal Akerman: The Long View” retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art, we’re highlighting more of the filmmaker’s nonfiction works as they screen in New York. The thing about this week’s titles, though, is that none of them are available to stream, so you have to get yourself to MoMA. On Friday, the museum is showing Making of Tomorrow We Move, a behind-the-scenes look at the production of her 2004 film. On Saturday, they’ve got Family Business and The Eighties. On Monday, the museum is showing a collection of short films, including Tell Me and Letter from a Filmmaker: Chantal Akerman. And on Thursday, they’ve got With Sonia Wieder-Atherton.
IFC Center Documentaries
The second half of the IFC Center’s 20th anniversary screenings begins on Friday, September 26, so I wanted to highlight the documentaries showing for the occasion. I didn’t highlight this program for its first part since that section was light on docs, but I am including the one that screened then as well. That film, Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Verena Paravel’s Leviathan, screened in early September and can now be streamed at home via Kanopy or DAFilms.com.
You can see Kirsten Johnson’s Cameraperson on the big screen on Sunday, Monday, or Thursday, or you can view it on HBO Max or The Criterion Channel if you’re not near New York City. Bill Morrison’s Dawson City: Frozen Time is screening Saturday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, but can also be streamed on Kanopy or Tubi. Finally, Laura Poitras’s Oscar-nominated film All the Beauty and the Bloodshed will be shown on Saturday, Monday, and Thursday. Or, you can stream it on HBO Max or Kanopy.
My Love, Don’t Cross That River (2014)
A huge box office hit in South Korea, the unforgettable film My Love, Don’t Cross That River is one of the essential documentaries about love, first showing us an aging couple still as romantic as can be, and also a beautiful depiction of a woman in mourning. From my review of the film:
“Why do we still get so emotional after only 85 minutes of knowing these people? It’s not actually in response to Byeong-man’s death, at least not totally, but to Kye-yeol’s grief. We cry for her loss, having seen in her and heard from her regarding the love she has for the man she’s been with since she was only 14. We feel for the half that was once a whole. And director Jin Mo-young does show Kye-yeol in enormous pain from grief. Her tears are contagious, although there is absolutely no way any one of us can truly know or identify with what she’s feeling. Not for Byeong-man specifically, that is.”
My Love, Don’t Cross That River will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Tuesday, September 30. You can also stream it via Kanopy or Film Movement Plus anytime.
Nightmares Of Nature (2025)
One of the oddest nature documentaries I’ve ever seen, Nightmares of Nature makes the world of its woodland creatures feel like something out of a horror movie. It heavily anthropomorphizes and narrativizes, sometimes even with acknowledged staging, as it presents scary scenes in ponds, grasses, and ultimately a cabin in the woods involving frogs, snakes, mice, raccoons, and more. The cinematography is admirable, but its premise sort of ignores the definition of nature by heightening it as strange.
Nightmares of Nature begins streaming on Netflix on Tuesday, September 30.
Prime Minister (2025)
I previously highlighted Prime Minister as my Pick of the Week when it opened in theaters over the summer. Now that it’s making its streaming debut, here’s a reminder to watch it. Here is an excerpt from my Sundance review of the film, which follows former New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern through her many achievements and challenges while in office from 2017 to 2023, as well as some personal milestones:
“Prime Minister makes the position, and any similar highest job of any land, seem like a lifespan of sorts. Consider everything that happened from 2017 to 2023 as representing that life, and the resignation being a kind of departure from that life. Ardern shows throughout the documentary that while working that job and living that life, she was going to make the most of it. Even so, generally, she seems to have put the lives of others, as in all New Zealanders, ahead of her own. At least in the documentary, she is portrayed as a completely selfless leader, running on empathy. It’s unfortunate that so many didn’t see that she performed in the best interests of her country and its citizens.”
Prime Minister premieres on HBO and HBO Max on Tuesday, September 30.
Strange Journey: The Story Of Rocky Horror (2025)
Whether you’re part of the Rocky Horror Picture Show cult fandom or don’t understand its appeal at all, Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror provides a fulfilling chronicle of its creation and legacy. I’ve only seen the film adaptation of the musical once, 30 years ago, with a crowd mostly consisting of “virgins,” so I didn’t really get it at the time. This documentary, helmed by the son of Rocky Horror creator and co-star Richard O’Brien, is also the first I’ve watched, so I don’t know if it offers anything new to the fans or the study of its impact. I can only note that it lacks the personal touch most films directed by children of their subjects possess, for better or worse.
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror will be released theatrically on Friday, September 26.
The Times Of Harvey Milk (1984)
Political assassinations (or any other kinds of killings, for that matter) are never okay, and even without current events being a reminder, now is a good time to watch this Oscar-winning documentary about one such murder that occurred nearly 50 years ago, as the film is airing on cable this week. Directed by Rob Epstein, The Times of Harvey Milk is about the life and tragic death of its titular politician, an openly gay man elected to serve as San Francisco’s city supervisor. As noted a decade ago in its entry on our list of the best documentaries about LGBT history, “it’s remarkable how well this film has held up, a testament not only to the power of its narrative but the means with which it tells such an essential story.”
The Times of Harvey Milk airs on TCM on Friday, September 26. You can also stream the film on HBO Max and The Criterion Channel at any time.
Documentary Release Calendar 9/26/25 – 10/2/25
Friday, September 26, 2025
Ai Weiwei’s Turnandot (2025) – A documentary feature following the titular artist and activist as he makes his operatic directorial debut. (In Theaters)
Cleopatra’s Final Secret (2025) – A docuseries following a team searching for Cleopatra’s tomb in the Mediterranean. (Hulu and Disney+)
Cracking the Code: Phil Sharp & The Biotech Revolution (2025) – A biographical documentary about the titular geneticist and molecular biologist. (In Theaters)
Lost Treasures of Ancient Civilizations, Season 1, Episode 1: “The Valley of the Kings” – The first episode of a docuseries about ancient civilizations focuses on Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. (Hulu and Disney+)
Omara: Cuba’s Legendary Diva (2025) – A medium-length documentary about the singer Omara Portuondo. Presented as an episode of VOCES. (PBS)
Strange Journey: The Story of Rocky Horror (2025) – A documentary feature about The Rocky Horror Picture Show. (In Theaters)
The Times of Harvey Milk (1984) – An Oscar-winning documentary about the titular gay San Francisco city supervisor assassinated by his colleague. (TCM)
The White House Effect – A documentary feature by Bonni Cohen, Pedro Kos, and Jon Shenk about the U.S. government’s failure with climate change. (In Theaters)
Saturday, September 27, 2025
48 Hours Season 39, Episode 1 – The return of the long-running true-crime series. (CBS)
Believe It or Not (Second Series) #8 (1932) – This installment of Robert L. Ripley’s Believe It or Not documentary franchise features a 17-year-old grandmother, two 119-year-olds, and more. (TCM)
Inside Airport Lost & Found (2022) – A documentary special about objects found in hospitals. (National Geographic)
The Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Story (1951) – A medium-length documentary presenting footage from new MGM movies of that year. (TCM)
Unlocked: Family Secrets (2025) – A docuseries about six families who uncovered long-buried secrets going back generations. (OWN)
Sunday, September 28, 2025
60 Minutes Season 58, Episode 1 – The return of the long-running news docuseries. (CBS)
Basketball Headliners (1956) – A short film presenting highlights from several basketball tournaments. (TCM)
George Stevens: A Filmmaker’s Journey (1984) – A feature documentary by George Stevens Jr. about the life and work of his father, the famous Hollywood director. (TCM)
Inside Airport Lost & Found (2022) – A documentary special about objects found in hospitals. (Hulu and Disney+)
Lightning Over Water (1980) – A documentary feature by Nicholas Ray and Wim Wenders following Ray’s final days. (TCM)
Monday, September 29, 2025
Death in Apartment 603: What Happened to Ellen Greenberg? (2025) – A true-crime docuseries about a woman initially thought to have taken her own life. (Hulu)
Epic Ride: The Story of Universal Theme Parks (2025) – A three-part docuseries on Universal’s theme park legacy. (Peacock)
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
Best Christmas Movies Ever! (2024) – A documentary special about holiday season films. (Blu-ray)
The Best of Aliens Uncovered: Part 1 (2025) – A documentary highlighting the best UFO sightings from the series Aliens Uncovered. (VOD)
Finding Your Roots Season 11, Episode 6: “Latin Roots” – An episode of a docuseries focused on ancestry in which Rubem Blades and Natalie Morales learn about their heritage. (PBS)
From the Holocaust to Hollywood: The Robert Clary Story (2020) – A medium-length documentary about the titular Holocaust survivor turned TV star. (OVID)
The Gullspång Miracle (2023) – A documentary that shares the story of two sisters who rented an apartment from a woman who looks identical to their long-dead sibling. (Blu-ray)
Hard Hat Riot (2025) – A documentary about a 1970 clash between student anti-war protestors and construction workers in New York City. Presented as an episode of American Experience. (PBS)
My Love, Don’t Cross That River (2014) – A documentary following a couple married for 76 years. Read our two reviews of My Love, Don’t Cross That River. (DVD and Blu-ray)
Nightmares of Nature (2025) – A horror-themed nature series. (Netflix)
Prime Minister (2025) – A documentary about the former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. Read our review of Prime Minister from Sundance. (HBO Max)
Top Guns: The Next Generation Episode 3: “Attack Attack!” – The third installment of a docuseries about naval aviators in the Advanced Flight Training Program made famous by the movie Top Gun. (National Geographic)
Tulsa Terrors (2025) – A documentary feature about direct-to-video horror movies made in Oklahoma in the 1980s. (Blu-ray)
You’re So Cool, Brewster! The Story of Fright Night (2016) – A nearly four-hour documentary on the making of the original Fright Night and its sequel. (Blu-ray)
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
BTS 2019 World Tour ‘Love Yourself: Speak Yourself’ London Remastered (2025) – A concert film starring the K-pop group BTS. (In Theaters)
BTS 2021 Muster Sowoozoo Remastered (2025) – A concert film starring the K-pop group BTS. (In Theaters)
The Cockettes (2002) – A documentary feature about the titular performance group. (The Criterion Channel)
The Filmmaker’s House (2020) – A personal documentary feature made in opposition to current nonfiction film and series trends. (OVID)
The Friday the 13th Murders (2025) – A true-crime docuseries about killings associated with the titular date. (Investigation Discovery)
Hooligan Sparrow (2016) – A documentary feature by Nanfu Wang investigating a sexual abuse case involving six children in China. (The Criterion Channel)
Ice Road Truckers Season 12, Episode 1 – The return of this nonfiction series about the job of driving trucks on frozen lakes. (History)
My Winnipeg (2007) – A “docu-fantasia” feature by Guy Maddin about his hometown. (The Criterion Channel)
The Real Murders of Elm Street Season 2 – The return of a true-crime docuseries about killings associated with the titular location. (Investigation Discovery)
Roads of Fire (2025) – A documentary feature about the smuggling of refugees to New York City. (In Theaters)
Sacred Planet with Gulnaz Khan Episode 4: “Reclaiming Peru’s Glaciers” – The premiere installment of a docuseries about global solutions to climate change. This episode focuses on changes in customs in Paucartambo, Peru, because of the climate. (PBS)
Top Guns: The Next Generation Episode 3: “Attack Attack!” – The third installment of a docuseries about naval aviators in the Advanced Flight Training Program made famous by the movie Top Gun. (Hulu and Disney+)
We Were Here (2011) – A documentary feature about the start of the AIDS crisis in San Francisco. (The Criterion Channel)
Thursday, October 2, 2025
Lost Treasures of Ancient Civilizations, Season 1, Episode 2: “Pompeii” – The second episode of a docuseries about ancient civilizations. (National Geographic)
Sneak Peek At What’s Coming Soon
10/3 – In Waves and War – A documentary feature about U.S. Navy SEALs with PTSD. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (In Theaters)
10/7 – True Haunting – A docuseries from horror filmmaker James Wan about real supernatural stories. (Netflix)
10/10 – Among Neighbors – A documentary feature by Yoav Potash (Crime After Crime) about a Polish town with a dark secret involving a murder. (In Theaters)
10/15 – From Rails to Trails – A medium-length documentary narrated by Edward Norton about the transformation of abandoned railroads into bike and walking trails in the U.S. (PBS)
10/17 – The Perfect Neighbor – A documentary feature by Geeta Gandbhir about a dispute between neighbors that turned deadly. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (Netflix)
10/22 – Mistress Dispeller – A documentary about a woman who hired someone to stop her husband from cheating. (In Theaters)
10/28 – Depeche Mode: M – A concert film starring the titular band as they perform in Mexico City in 2023. Watch the new trailer for the film below. (In IMAX Theaters)
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Filmmaker Brishkay Ahmed with Nelofer Pazira-Fisk | NFB 