
What Is Cinema?
2013

2014
Director
Ron Mann
Runtime
95 minutes
Average Rating
No ratings yetSynopsis
Robert Altman's life and career contained multitudes. This father of American independent cinema left an indelible mark, not merely on the evolution of his art form, but also on the western zeitgeist. With its use of rare interviews, representative film clips, archival images, and musings from his family and most recognizable collaborators, Altman is a dynamic and heartfelt mediation on an artist whose expression, passion and appetite knew few bounds.
Overall Score
Good
Category Breakdown
LGBTQ+ Representation
The film explores Altman’s engagement with non-normative identities and his rejection of rigid heteronormative archetypes. It functions as a retrospective analysis of his nuanced approach to sexuality rather than a dedicated queer narrative.
Gender Representation
Altman’s work is shown to subvert traditional gender hierarchies by favoring complex ensembles over singular heroes. The documentary highlights his deconstruction of masculine archetypes and the psychological depth of his female characters.
Racial & Ethnic Diversity
The documentary highlights Altman's commitment to multi-ethnic casting and diverse social strata. It notes his use of heterogeneous crowds to disrupt the cinematic norm of homogeneous white ensembles.
Religious & Cultural Diversity
The film serves as a meditation on the deconstruction of Western institutions, including the military and political establishment. It emphasizes Altman's critique of capitalism and traditional authority through a postmodern lens.
Disability Representation
The film touches on socioeconomic stratification and characters living on the fringes of society. However, it lacks specific, dedicated case studies regarding physical disability or neurodivergence.
Strengths
Areas for Improvement
AI Analysis
Ron Mann’s documentary provides a sophisticated look at how Robert Altman disrupted traditional cinematic hierarchies. By focusing on Altman's ensemble-driven style, the film celebrates a move away from the singular hero toward a more pluralistic, fragmented view of identity. The film excels at documenting Altman's critique of established power structures and his use of diverse, heterogeneous crowds. This approach effectively challenges the standard Hollywood depictions of social and racial homogeneity. While the documentary captures the essence of Altman's social commentary, it remains somewhat broad. It prioritizes systemic and institutional critiques over specific, focused explorations of disability or neurodivergence.

2013

2016

2016

2004

2010

2006

2000

2017

2014

2017

2022

1989
No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!
Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.