Chris Cassingham
@chriscassingham.bsky.social
Film critic and occasional programmer, but mostly a beautiful, sumptuous, model-type.
chriscassingham.substack.com
christopher dot cassingham @ gmail
chriscassingham.substack.com
christopher dot cassingham @ gmail
If you're at IDFA over the next 2 weeks, go see Armand Tufenkian's In The Manner of Smoke. Starting tomorrow night, it has five screenings over the next week. Prime yourself by reading my interview with Armand about his film and career for Public Parking. thisispublicparking.com/posts/speaking…
https://thisispublicparking.com/posts/speaking…
November 13, 2025 at 7:26 PM
If you're at IDFA over the next 2 weeks, go see Armand Tufenkian's In The Manner of Smoke. Starting tomorrow night, it has five screenings over the next week. Prime yourself by reading my interview with Armand about his film and career for Public Parking. thisispublicparking.com/posts/speaking…
Today on my newsletter, Dark Optimism, I'm republishing an interview I did with Courtney Stephens 2+ years ago about her feature length essay/lecture film, Terra Femme. This Sunday (11/16), Metrograph is hosting Stephens for another live performance of the film. I'll be there!
t.co/Wmvrnw0PnH
t.co/Wmvrnw0PnH
Courtney Stephens on Secondary Perspectives, Emancipation, and Performance in Terra Femme
This Sunday, November 16, Metrograph will host filmmaker Courtney Stephens for a performance/screening of her live film essay/lecture, Terra Femme.
open.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Today on my newsletter, Dark Optimism, I'm republishing an interview I did with Courtney Stephens 2+ years ago about her feature length essay/lecture film, Terra Femme. This Sunday (11/16), Metrograph is hosting Stephens for another live performance of the film. I'll be there!
t.co/Wmvrnw0PnH
t.co/Wmvrnw0PnH
In July I met Armand Tufenkian and gushed to him about his debut feature, In The Manner of Smoke. At the end of August we had a very long lunch to talk about the film and his artistic practice that has spawned a very meaningful friendship. Enjoy. thisispublicparking.com/posts/speaki...
Public Parking Publication | Manitoba | Public Parking
thisispublicparking.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:16 PM
In July I met Armand Tufenkian and gushed to him about his debut feature, In The Manner of Smoke. At the end of August we had a very long lunch to talk about the film and his artistic practice that has spawned a very meaningful friendship. Enjoy. thisispublicparking.com/posts/speaki...
Reposted by Chris Cassingham
In July I met Armand Tufenkian, whose debut feature I saw at this year’s Cinema du Reel. It rarely left my mind in the intervening months, and I knew I had to talk to him. Our conversation spawned a meaningful friendship and this piece, published today. thisispublicparking.com/posts/poetics-…
November 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In July I met Armand Tufenkian, whose debut feature I saw at this year’s Cinema du Reel. It rarely left my mind in the intervening months, and I knew I had to talk to him. Our conversation spawned a meaningful friendship and this piece, published today. thisispublicparking.com/posts/poetics-…
In July I met Armand Tufenkian, whose debut feature I saw at this year’s Cinema du Reel. It rarely left my mind in the intervening months, and I knew I had to talk to him. Our conversation spawned a meaningful friendship and this piece, published today. thisispublicparking.com/posts/poetics-…
November 5, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In July I met Armand Tufenkian, whose debut feature I saw at this year’s Cinema du Reel. It rarely left my mind in the intervening months, and I knew I had to talk to him. Our conversation spawned a meaningful friendship and this piece, published today. thisispublicparking.com/posts/poetics-…
For my neglected newsletter: a conversation with Lee Anne Schmitt, director of Evidence -- one of the best docs of the year, and a brilliant mediation on parenthood, inheritance, and the Conservative movement's ongoing coup of the legal system. Subscribe !!! open.substack.com/pub/chriscas...
Lee Anne Schmitt on Family, Conspiracy, and the Olin Foundation
Schmitt's latest feature tackles corporate influence on the American social fabric and reckons with inheritence.
open.substack.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:13 PM
For my neglected newsletter: a conversation with Lee Anne Schmitt, director of Evidence -- one of the best docs of the year, and a brilliant mediation on parenthood, inheritance, and the Conservative movement's ongoing coup of the legal system. Subscribe !!! open.substack.com/pub/chriscas...
Keep forgetting this place exists oops
October 16, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Keep forgetting this place exists oops
hey, actually, fuck this sentiment and you!
June 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
hey, actually, fuck this sentiment and you!
I wasn't very pleased with John Maclean's TORNADO, a thin and unimaginative homage to Kurosawa's samurai films, too reliant on simple psychology, heavy atmosphere and a needlessly non-linear plot, and desperately lacking in true feeling. t.co/ieBqEPNAPH
https://inreviewonline.com/2025/05/30/tornado-review/
t.co
June 4, 2025 at 7:38 PM
I wasn't very pleased with John Maclean's TORNADO, a thin and unimaginative homage to Kurosawa's samurai films, too reliant on simple psychology, heavy atmosphere and a needlessly non-linear plot, and desperately lacking in true feeling. t.co/ieBqEPNAPH
A couple weeks ago, I reviewed Graham Swon's stunning AN EVENING SONG (FOR THREE VOICES) for InReview Online. There's magic going on in this thing that I can't fully explain, but is much better to watch, anyways. I hope it gets more opportunities to screen publicly outside of NYC. t.co/2aAEqr63hB
https://inreviewonline.com/2025/05/23/an-evening-song-for-three-voices-review/
t.co
June 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
A couple weeks ago, I reviewed Graham Swon's stunning AN EVENING SONG (FOR THREE VOICES) for InReview Online. There's magic going on in this thing that I can't fully explain, but is much better to watch, anyways. I hope it gets more opportunities to screen publicly outside of NYC. t.co/2aAEqr63hB
Putting it out there that I would like to write about the Pierre Creton retrospective running at BAM at the end of June. Editors...I am so available it's embarrassing.
May 30, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Putting it out there that I would like to write about the Pierre Creton retrospective running at BAM at the end of June. Editors...I am so available it's embarrassing.
Reposted by Chris Cassingham
I've returned to my newsletter, Dark Optimism, with an interview with filmmaker Ted Kennedy. We met to talk about his new documentary, BF SKINNER PLAYS HIMSELF, the pitfalls of public intellectualism, and the risks of a society not in possession of its own mind. Link in replies!
Ted Kennedy on BF Skinner, public intellectualism, and freedom.
Ted Kennedy's new film, BF Skinner Plays Himself, had its World Premiere at MoMA's Doc Fortnight in February.
open.substack.com
May 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I've returned to my newsletter, Dark Optimism, with an interview with filmmaker Ted Kennedy. We met to talk about his new documentary, BF SKINNER PLAYS HIMSELF, the pitfalls of public intellectualism, and the risks of a society not in possession of its own mind. Link in replies!
I've returned to my newsletter, Dark Optimism, with an interview with filmmaker Ted Kennedy. We met to talk about his new documentary, BF SKINNER PLAYS HIMSELF, the pitfalls of public intellectualism, and the risks of a society not in possession of its own mind. Link in replies!
Ted Kennedy on BF Skinner, public intellectualism, and freedom.
Ted Kennedy's new film, BF Skinner Plays Himself, had its World Premiere at MoMA's Doc Fortnight in February.
open.substack.com
May 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I've returned to my newsletter, Dark Optimism, with an interview with filmmaker Ted Kennedy. We met to talk about his new documentary, BF SKINNER PLAYS HIMSELF, the pitfalls of public intellectualism, and the risks of a society not in possession of its own mind. Link in replies!
Reposted by Chris Cassingham
I interviewed Ted Kennedy about his new documentary, BF Skinner Plays Himself. The film has been on my mind since I first saw it in February, so it was a thrill to sit down with him in April when I was in New York to get some answers for all my dumb questions. I hope you enjoy. LINK IN REPLIES!
May 27, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I interviewed Ted Kennedy about his new documentary, BF Skinner Plays Himself. The film has been on my mind since I first saw it in February, so it was a thrill to sit down with him in April when I was in New York to get some answers for all my dumb questions. I hope you enjoy. LINK IN REPLIES!
I interviewed Ted Kennedy about his new documentary, BF Skinner Plays Himself. The film has been on my mind since I first saw it in February, so it was a thrill to sit down with him in April when I was in New York to get some answers for all my dumb questions. I hope you enjoy. LINK IN REPLIES!
May 27, 2025 at 3:12 PM
I interviewed Ted Kennedy about his new documentary, BF Skinner Plays Himself. The film has been on my mind since I first saw it in February, so it was a thrill to sit down with him in April when I was in New York to get some answers for all my dumb questions. I hope you enjoy. LINK IN REPLIES!
I'm publishing a new interview on my Substack in a few minutes. You can subscribe now so it's sent to your inbox: chriscassingham.substack.com. This is the most fun I've ever had interviewing a filmmaker, and I'm excited to share it with you all.
Dark Optimism | Chris Cassingham | Substack
Writing about contemporary independent film and the cinema that keeps me going. Click to read Dark Optimism, by Chris Cassingham, a Substack publication. Launched 4 months ago.
chriscassingham.substack.com
May 27, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I'm publishing a new interview on my Substack in a few minutes. You can subscribe now so it's sent to your inbox: chriscassingham.substack.com. This is the most fun I've ever had interviewing a filmmaker, and I'm excited to share it with you all.
Reposted by Chris Cassingham
Only one Cannes review from me this year. Had a chance to catch Harris Dickinson's debut feature, Urchin, a gritty, competently made drama about a London rough sleeper, but one lacking a point of view and artistic daring. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/26/u...
Urchin — Harris Dickinson [Cannes '25 Review] | In Review Online
A new film review of Urchin, directed by Harris Dickinson, for film review site In Review Online's Cannes 2025 festival coverage.
inreviewonline.com
May 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Only one Cannes review from me this year. Had a chance to catch Harris Dickinson's debut feature, Urchin, a gritty, competently made drama about a London rough sleeper, but one lacking a point of view and artistic daring. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/26/u...
Only one Cannes review from me this year. Had a chance to catch Harris Dickinson's debut feature, Urchin, a gritty, competently made drama about a London rough sleeper, but one lacking a point of view and artistic daring. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/26/u...
Urchin — Harris Dickinson [Cannes '25 Review] | In Review Online
A new film review of Urchin, directed by Harris Dickinson, for film review site In Review Online's Cannes 2025 festival coverage.
inreviewonline.com
May 26, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Only one Cannes review from me this year. Had a chance to catch Harris Dickinson's debut feature, Urchin, a gritty, competently made drama about a London rough sleeper, but one lacking a point of view and artistic daring. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/26/u...
Notorious
Vertigo
Shadow of a Doubt
Rear Window
North By Northwest
Vertigo
Shadow of a Doubt
Rear Window
North By Northwest
Top 5 Hitch:
Vertigo
Marnie
The Birds
Under Capricorn
Wrong Man
Vertigo
Marnie
The Birds
Under Capricorn
Wrong Man
What’s your Hitchcock Top 5?
1. Vertigo
2. Rebecca
3. Rear Window
4. Notorius
5. North By Northwest
#FilmSky
1. Vertigo
2. Rebecca
3. Rear Window
4. Notorius
5. North By Northwest
#FilmSky
May 24, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Notorious
Vertigo
Shadow of a Doubt
Rear Window
North By Northwest
Vertigo
Shadow of a Doubt
Rear Window
North By Northwest
Reposted by Chris Cassingham
I'm going to publish a new interview over at chriscassingham.substack.com when Cannes is over. Just finished editing it for readability and am so pleased with it. Things are slow at Dark Optimism but they are happening.
Dark Optimism | Chris Cassingham | Substack
Writing about contemporary independent film and the cinema that keeps me going. Click to read Dark Optimism, by Chris Cassingham, a Substack publication. Launched 4 months ago.
chriscassingham.substack.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I'm going to publish a new interview over at chriscassingham.substack.com when Cannes is over. Just finished editing it for readability and am so pleased with it. Things are slow at Dark Optimism but they are happening.
In the meantime, feel free to subscribe :)
I'm going to publish a new interview over at chriscassingham.substack.com when Cannes is over. Just finished editing it for readability and am so pleased with it. Things are slow at Dark Optimism but they are happening.
Dark Optimism | Chris Cassingham | Substack
Writing about contemporary independent film and the cinema that keeps me going. Click to read Dark Optimism, by Chris Cassingham, a Substack publication. Launched 4 months ago.
chriscassingham.substack.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:35 PM
In the meantime, feel free to subscribe :)
I'm going to publish a new interview over at chriscassingham.substack.com when Cannes is over. Just finished editing it for readability and am so pleased with it. Things are slow at Dark Optimism but they are happening.
Dark Optimism | Chris Cassingham | Substack
Writing about contemporary independent film and the cinema that keeps me going. Click to read Dark Optimism, by Chris Cassingham, a Substack publication. Launched 4 months ago.
chriscassingham.substack.com
May 23, 2025 at 8:34 PM
I'm going to publish a new interview over at chriscassingham.substack.com when Cannes is over. Just finished editing it for readability and am so pleased with it. Things are slow at Dark Optimism but they are happening.
oh my god I just realized this was playing Cannes. desperate to see it.
John C. Reilly is Buffalo Bill in 'Heads or Tails,' the ethereal, lived-in new Western from 'The Tale of King Crab' directors Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis.
Read @roryseanoc.bsky.social's review:
Read @roryseanoc.bsky.social's review:
Cannes Review: Heads or Tails is an Ethereal, Lived-In Western
I could name few living filmmakers better equipped for the Western than Alessio Rigo de Righi and Matteo Zoppis. The duo behind The Tale of King Crab––a film I revere like a sacred relic––have created...
thefilmstage.com
May 22, 2025 at 8:22 PM
oh my god I just realized this was playing Cannes. desperate to see it.
It was the 30th anniversary of Wild Reed's US release last week, so I took the opportunity to share my thoughts, parse out what it's doing that other coming-of-age films don't seem to attempt. It's a remarkable film, and very important to me. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/16/w...
The Instinctual Lurches of Desire: André Téchiné's Wild Reeds | In Review Online
A new Kicking the Canon piece on Wild Reeds, directed by André Téchiné, for film review site In Review Online.
inreviewonline.com
May 19, 2025 at 4:24 PM
It was the 30th anniversary of Wild Reed's US release last week, so I took the opportunity to share my thoughts, parse out what it's doing that other coming-of-age films don't seem to attempt. It's a remarkable film, and very important to me. inreviewonline.com/2025/05/16/w...
Reposted by Chris Cassingham
I'm thrilled to say that TO USE A MOUNTAIN, the second feature doc produced by my sister this year, has just won the Special Jury Prize of the International Competition at Visions du Reel. So very proud of her and everyone who worked on this film.
April 11, 2025 at 7:16 PM
I'm thrilled to say that TO USE A MOUNTAIN, the second feature doc produced by my sister this year, has just won the Special Jury Prize of the International Competition at Visions du Reel. So very proud of her and everyone who worked on this film.