'To Busk or Not to Busk' Review: Calling the Streets Their Stage
Two sidewalk street performers get their turn in the spotlight in filmmaker Antonio G. Wagner's short documentary, To Busk or Not to Busk. Making its premiere at the 2026 San Francisco Documentary Festival, the film highlights the heart and soul of those extremely talented, but often-overlooked, entertainers. Driven by passion and the need for self-expression, To Busk or Not to Busk offers a heartwarming look at the people who make it their mission to share their music with the world.
Sing Street
The film gives viewers a look into the lives of street musicians John Goodblood and Kevin Zi-Xiao. Both are immigrants who find their creative outlet through busking, which is another word for street performing. John Goodblood has called the streets his stage for nearly fifteen years. His voice is reminiscent of a young Bob Dylan, and his songs rival the legendary singer too. With only an acoustic guitar, his songs take on an anti-establishment tone. Kevin Zi-Xiao is newer to the scene and only turned to busking during the pandemic. He is a contemporary classical musician who creates experimental Japanese music with flutes and cellos.
In interviews, John and Kevin both speak fondly about the euphoric nature of busking and how it is a wonderful way to connect with strangers. Despite these wonderful qualities, busking comes with volatility, like harassment and financial instability. At a certain point, they must face the music and ask themselves, "Is a busking career worth it?"
Creative Expression Through Songwriting and Cinematography
In To Busk or Not to Busk, director Antonio G. Wagner creates a compelling portrait of two men struggling with balancing artistic freedom and practical ambition. The interviews he conducts are visually stylized; almost looking like footage from a 90's MTV music video. The cinematography mirrors the creativity of its on screen subjects, capturing a similar offbeat artistic expression.
Director's Statement
"When my father lived in Paris in 1990 for one year, he spent his free time playing guitar in the city’s metro. Beyond enjoying music, he felt compelled to share the transcendent feeling he experienced while performing with the people around him. His talking about how strangers paused and found comfort in his music left a lasting impression on me, also coming from a music background. Living in any urban city, buskers become part of everyday life, yet I feel like their artistry is underappreciated despite the emotional impact they have on the public.
This inspired me to create To Busk or Not to Busk, a documentary that explores the value of busking through the perspectives of very different immigrant musicians, John Goodblood and Kevin Zi-Xiao He. My goal was to make audiences see a street musician with the same artistic respect as an orchestral performer, while revealing the deeper meaning of artistry as both personal expression and human connection." -Antonio G. Wagner, director
Takeaway
Although it is a rhetorical question, To Busk or Not to Busk proves that pursuing your passion has no barrier to entry. If gratification is what one is seeking, then saying yes to your dreams is worth the risk.
'The Closet' Review: A Heartfelt Declaration of Bisexuality
June may be designated as Pride Month, but stories featuring LGBTQ+ protagonists should be celebrated year-round. That said, now is as good a time as any to catch filmmaker Olivia Jean Hamilton's short film based on her own coming-out experience, called The Closet. Running a swift 5 minutes, The Closet is a good-hearted satirical comedy that addresses one woman's declaration of bisexuality and subsequent fear of ostracization for her fluidity.
This is Me
Olympia (Amy Ward) is putting the finishing touches on a few appetizers as she prepares for her friends to come over. This isn't just an ordinary hangout at her apartment; Olympia is planning on sharing life-changing news. Her anxiety gets the better of her as she fidgets with the grazing plate and practices grand gestures over and over again. Today, Olympia is coming out as bisexual. She's not necessarily nervous to share the news; rather, she worries about how her judgmental gay friends will accept her new truth.
The moment of truth finally comes when her friends, Gray (Moe Dagane), Sasha (Jasmine Vaughan), and Becca (Marylynn Sienna) arrive. Olympia sits them down on her bed and, after taking a deep breath, enthusiastically walks herself out of her closet. It takes a few attempts, but eventually her friends catch on. Olympia is, quite literally, coming out of the closet. Her friends are enthusiastic, especially her queer friends Gray and Sasha. "Another gay!" they cheer, but Olympia is quick to clarify that no, she's not technically gay, just bisexual. This small but resounding distinction is offered with an earnest yet lightly sarcastic tone. Clearly, it will take some time for Olympia to become comfortable with her new identity, but her friends prove that they love her and support her unconditionally.
Capturing the Nuance of a Life-Changing Moment
The complexity of coming out as bisexual is nuanced, and filmmaker Olivia Jean Hamilton does an excellent job capturing this moment with humor and heart. The purple pastels that Olympia decorates her apartment with, especially the food, are intentional and smartly art-directed. Using limited resources to their full advantage, Olivia flips the script on traditional stereotypes, making them her own. We see a variation on a tradition typically used in a baby gender reveal, when Olivia turns a cake into a "sexual preference reveal cake", with the center revealing purple frosting: a mix between blue and pink. This creative adoption of mainstream gender stereotypes is a punchy statement that sends a powerful message through the lens of comedy.
Director's Statement
"This film is based on a true story of how I came out to a group of friends in boarding school. Back in my teens, I was nervous to tell my straight friends. But now, we bisexuals are more nervous to tell our judgmental gay friends! This is a fun and quirky coming-out story that everyone can enjoy." -Olivia Jean Hamilton, director
Takeaway
The story behind The Closet has a much deeper meaning than just showing a young woman coming out to her friends. It addresses and validates the modern-day anxiety that some bisexual people feel around their friends. A decorated film festival darling, The Closet first premiered at the 2025 Culver City Film Festival.
'Màquina' Review: An Unconventional Rehabilitation
The road to recovery is rarely linear. This is especially true in the experimental documentary, Màquina. In this deeply personal portrayal, filmmaker Joaquim Adrià Pujol captures his own family's turbulent journey towards healing and enlightenment. Consumed by the generational cycle of addiction and trauma, Pujol fully immerses the viewer in the grueling uphill battle that overcoming addiction entails.
Choosing the Road Less Taken
Xavi Pujol Berlanga and his son, Marcel Enric Pujol, find themselves at a crossroads when their addictive behaviors threaten to derail their lives. After decades of suppressing emotional turmoil and trauma, both father and son agree that now is the time to "break out of their own bullshit." In lieu of traditional treatment or rehab, Marcel is optimistic about an alternative plan, which includes a road trip in an RV across the American West while using ibogaine, a type of plant medicine from Africa that rapidly reduces withdrawal symptoms and substance dependencies. Xavi, who is initially resistant to Marcel's psychedelic-assisted treatment plan, eventually agrees. What follows is an unconventional journey that weaves through physical and emotional hurdles, sending father and son on a path toward judgment-free healing.
The Vulnerability of Complete Immersion
Director Joaquim Adrià Pujol's raw, grounded approach to telling this story is what makes Màquina so visceral. His up close and personal relationship to the characters, who are literally his father and brother, creates an immediate bond and trust with the audience. The production is lo-fi and minimalist; there are no overly produced setups or expensive gear in sight. Yet what the film lacks in budget, it more than makes up for in storytelling. This documentary is more than just a story of redemption and recovery. It's an emotionally deep, lyrical exploration that acts as a testimonial to shedding a past that no longer serves you.
Director's Statement
"Màquina is a personal reckoning, a deeply intimate exploration of the threads that bind family, addiction, and healing. This film is rooted in my own experience, a journey through the heart of a complicated father-son relationship shaped by generational trauma and substance use. Màquina is an exploration of harm reduction in the treatment of addiction. The film resists easy answers, leaning instead into emotional nuance and the raw, often uncomfortable truths of loving someone through their struggle.
By inviting viewers into this vulnerable process, I hope to challenge the stigma surrounding addiction and honor the imperfect, persistent effort of showing up for one another even when the path forward is uncertain." - Joaquim Adrià Pujol, director
Takeaway
Màquina's exploration of codependency, set against the American West, is a powerful portrait of strength, beauty, and aliveness. The film recently premiered at the 2026 Brooklyn Film Festival.
'Time and Water' Review: The Land of Fire and Diminishing Ice
In 2021, I travelled to Iceland to visit my now-husband, who was working with a high-profile band on their upcoming album. We stayed primarily in Reykjavík, except for a multi-day road trip through the Golden Circle and the more remote parts of the country. I was standing on a cliff near the Gullfoss Waterfall when I concluded that to truly understand the beauty of nature, one must spend time in Iceland. Never before have all of my senses lit up at once: the breathtaking panoramic sights of waterfalls, the crisp chill in the air while riding Icelandic horses, and the one-of-a-kind scents from a local, family-run perfumery (shoutout to Fischersund) all told a unique story about a small, yet persevering country. My theory is substantiated by Sara Dosa's latest documentary, Time and Water, which captures the fragility of Iceland's environment amidst generational legacy.
The Land of Fire and Diminishing Ice
Water is one of our most precious natural commodities, and yet, due to climate change, there is no guarantee that it will remain a viable lifesource. This devastating reality is already taking shape in Iceland, where glaciers are "dying" and running out of water. Andri Snær Magnason, a profound poet and author, captures this emotional moment in time in a very personal way by relating it to lineage and his own family tree. Melting ice not only disrupts the ecosystem but also throws the whole country into an identity crisis. What is Iceland without ice? In that same vein, what is his familial legacy once his elders pass away?
To make sense of this existential question, Andri picks up a camera and creates a cinematic time capsule about this all-encompassing shift from life to death. Throughout the film, Andri's lens alternates between home video archives and close-up visuals of glaciers and other water resources. As the film's protagonist and narrator, Andri's sensitive nature and adept intuition make for a compelling watch.
The Hard Goodbye
Time and Water is more than just an environmentally conscious film about the country's ecological future, although that is the underlying urgent messaging. Academy Award-nominated director Sara Dosa uses Andri's perspective to draw correlations to the notion of time, another priceless resource that slowly slips away every day. Using archival footage, including his grandparents’ photographs and films, and Icelandic folklore, Andri reflects on what it means to say goodbye to the things he never thought he could lose. His realizations are universally profound and incredibly powerful.
Director's Statement
"I make films about how humans seek meaning with the more‑than‑human natural world — often through explorations of allegory, metaphor, and myth. Central to this work is an inquiry into time: cultural temporalities, geologic scales, and seasonal rhythms that entangle human lives within the living systems around us, revealing our shared ecological kinships...
While themes of solastalgia (the emotional distress produced by environmental change) and grief run through the film, we intend it to land on a note of agentive uncertainty. The future is unwritten, and what we do now matters. Too much hope can lull us into complacency, while too much dread can convince us the future is already lost. Uncertainty, however, invites agency. It reminds us that our actions in this unstable present shape the world our loved ones will inherit." -Sara Dosa, director
Takeaway
Time and Water is a poetically haunting yet earnest observation of the human experience and the fragility of nature. In 200 years, will the name "Iceland", with its once-abundant natural aquatic resources, reference a ghost of the past, only existing in the memories of previous generations? Only time will tell.
'Borderline' Review: The Ultimate Rapid-Fire Dark Comedy
Filmmaker Johannes Vang creates the ultimate rapid-fire dark comedy with his film, Borderline. A perfectly crafted short story that feels within the Yorgos Lanthimos realm of absurdity, Borderline pokes fun at the legal "grey zones" within three Nordic countries. It turns out that crossing imaginary boundaries can lead to very real consequences.
Chaos at the Three-Country Cairn
In Borderline, a Norwegian customs officer (Øystein Martinsen), a Finnish fisherman (Sverre Porsanger), and a mysterious Swedish woman (Ayla Nutti) become entangled in a jurisdictional identity crisis. Various events lead the characters to the Three-Country Cairn, the physical meeting point of Norway, Sweden, and Finland. This also happens to be the border between their respective homelands. What follows is witty banter and logistical loopholes over laws, language, and identity bias, eventually giving way to a very unexpected outcome.
A Simple Yet Brilliant Premise
Borderline plays like the cinematic equivalent of Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First" joke. Its simple yet brilliant premise will have you smiling until the very last frame. Not only is the script smartly written, but the stellar casting really brings the story to life. The small yet mighty ensemble cast effortlessly strikes a delicate balance between comedy and tension. The actors come from the Sámi community and do an excellent job representing the indigenous people of the northern Scandinavian Peninsula. Another element that nails the execution is the stunning cinematography. Exclusively shot in the mountains amidst the lush greenery and a crystal clear lake, Borderline's atmosphere is both immersive and cleansing.
Director's Statement
"For too long, the history of Indigenous peoples has been written by others. As contemporary filmmakers, we have the vital opportunity to shift that perspective and reclaim our own voices. With Borderline, I wanted to move away from the "grim and sad" narratives that often define Indigenous cinema. While those stories are necessary to reflect a gruelling history, I believe it is equally important to tell our stories through the lens of comedy and absurdity.
My work is defined by a deep commitment to Sámi identity and language. Through Borderline, I hope to show that we can tackle important themes of belonging and society while still making the audience laugh." -Johannes Vang, director
Takeaway
Blending humor with indigenous diversity, Borderline is, by all accounts, the perfect short film. It will screen next at the Norwegian Short Film Festival, which runs June 10-14, 2026.
'The Messenger of Joy' Review: The Life & Legacy of an Iranian Icon
Art is subjective, but there is no denying the beauty and impact of Iranian artist Nasser Ovissi's works. Stunning depictions of women, usually with exaggerated, burdened eyes, are the centerpiece of his iconic style. His artwork acts as a window into the soul of Iranian identity, and the result is, no pun intended, eye-opening. Ovissi's extraordinary life story and groundbreaking works are all captured in the documentary The Messenger of Joy.
An Iranian Icon
Director Alexander Kwanje uses mixed media, including live action, animation, and archival footage, to bring Nasser Ovissi's story to life. The documentary includes sit-down interviews with Ovissi, his daughter, and his peers, who all offer insightful and intimate details about his personal and professional life. As a child, Ovissi speaks about the pressure his parents put on him to study law. But he knew art was his calling and made the brave decision to ignore his parents and pursue his passion. Ovissi's confidence in his artistic abilities eventually led to international acclaim, as his visionary work was among the first to blend Persian heritage and modern art. Other memorable moments include his collaboration with Salvador Dalí, the impact of the Iranian Revolution, and how a specific shade of blue, often considered "Ovaissi Blue," came to be.
Breathing Life into the Documentary Format
The Messenger of Joy, while incredibly informative, can come off as more educational than entertaining at times. In the documentary format, it's hard to avoid the talking-head interview style. This traditional shooting style, on its own, can lend itself to unimaginative storytelling. However, filmmaker Alexander Kwanje makes a point to immerse the audience in Ovissi's body of work, a crucial creative decision that keeps the film from feeling too stiff. Given its runtime of just over an hour, the film does a fine job of retaining our attention, thanks to the abundant showcase of Ovissi's vibrant art.
Takeaway
Nasser Ovissi is a fascinating character whose works transcend borders and generations. It's a joy to see his story told in The Messenger of Joy, and, hopefully, his legacy will encourage future artists to follow their dreams just as Ovissi did.
'After the Devil is Dead' Review: A Heartbroken Son Searches for the Truth
A son sets out to solve his mother's decades-old murder in the gripping true crime documentary, After the Devil is Dead. Only five years old at the time of his mother's death, Mike Lester leaves no stone unturned as he retraces the past with the insight and fortitude of a grown man. Mike's vulnerability allows filmmaker Paul Catalanotto to diligently shine light on this tragic tale, uncovering chilling answers to once-silenced questions.
A Heartbroken Son Searches for the Truth
The death of Edna Ann Muscarello Lester was always suspicious. In 1982, she was pulled from a house fire in New Orleans' Lower 9th Ward. Naturally, her cause of death was assumed to be fire-related. Upon closer examination, however, it was discovered that Edna also had stab wounds all over her body. This led investigators to the conclusion that the fire wasn't the cause of death, but rather the secondary incident intended to cover up her murder. Edna's son and the film's protagonist, Mike, was just a child at the time, but the memory of that moment still haunts him.
Using film as a format for processing these complex feelings, Mike embarks on a life-changing emotional journey in his quest for closure. Throughout the documentary, he confronts not only the trauma of his mother's mysterious death but also the abuse he suffered at the hands of his now estranged father, Russell Lester Sr. At first, Russell is the prime suspect in Edna's death, as Mike cites the rocky relationship between his parents. Unfortunately, Russell's profession as a police officer also complicates the likelihood of a conviction. Plus, his father proves to have an alibi during the time of Edna's death. However, Mike can't stop thinking that just because Russell didn't technically commit the crime, it doesn't mean he didn't orchestrate the murder behind the scenes. This train of thought consumes Mike. Eventually, through intimate conversations with family members and close friends, Mike's search for truth culminates in a bittersweet ending.
Indie Film Meets Investigative Journalism
Using archival documents, photos, and letters written by Edna herself, Mike does his best to piece together this long-standing cold case. Director Paul Catalanotto takes a very observational approach in capturing this story, letting the material speak for itself. The film runs long at 105 minutes, but every moment is full of new facts, Lester family lore, or never-before-spoken confessions. While it's all intriguing, the first half of the film primarily focuses on Mike's abusive childhood at the hands of his father. The film doesn't delve into the true crime component of Edna's murder until about 40 minutes in.
Director's Statement
"Mike and I first met in high school, though for years our only connection was the occasional message on Facebook. Knowing I worked in film, he reached out when A&E and CBS News 48 Hours showed interest in telling his story. At the time, he was unsure if he wanted to revisit such a painful chapter, and I encouraged him to consider it carefully. When those projects eventually fell through because his story did not fit neatly into the expected true crime mold, Mike came back to me. He wanted his story told not as a crime narrative, but as something deeper: a film about trauma, abuse, and ultimately, forgiveness.
I hesitated at first, fully aware of how emotionally difficult and time-consuming the project would be. In the end, I agreed. Over the course of making this film, Mike and I grew closer as friends, and I came to deeply respect the courage it takes to share such a story. I am grateful to have been part of it, and I hope the film not only honors Mike’s journey but also offers strength and solidarity to other survivors of abuse." - Paul Catalanotto, director
Takeaway
After the Devil is Dead is not only a compelling true crime documentary, but it also acts as a therapeutic experience for Mike. Solving the mystery of Edna's death, which was among the oldest unsolved murder cases in New Orleans, was the catalyst for Mike's search for the truth. Regardless of how this story ends, Mike's mission ultimately turns into making peace with the past. In that regard, it seems like he can consider his mission accomplished.
'Lost With You' Review: A Meet Cute in the Mountains
Two strangers find unexpected companionship and compassion in filmmaker Mike Southerly's romantic drama, Lost With You. The writer/director's meet-cute in the mountains is more than just a flirtatious development between two people. Southerly crafts a story that dares to delve into provocative topics, let alone engage in conversations that aren't typically discussed on a first date. An impressive debut feature film with a strong two-lead cast, Lost With You is an engaging, thought-provoking film that aims to expand one's mind as much as it entertains.
Between the Sunlight and a Stranger
Who are you when no one's watching? This is the essay prompt that Naomi (Madison Shamoun) finds herself staring blankly at. The stakes are high, as this paper will determine her upcoming educational pathway. Unfortunately for Naomi, she doesn't know how to answer this personal question. She has faith that a solo hike in the hills of LA will allow her to clear her head and get introspective. But before she can make it to mile one, she runs into a fellow solo hiker, Ethan (Jake Short). His easy-going demeanor allows Naomi to let her guard down, and the two embark on what is to be a life-changing afternoon stroll.
Their conversation spans from politics to family and faith, as Naomi and Ethan passionately engage in debates that ultimately expand each other's world views. From fiery personal beliefs to lighthearted jabs, their banter is both witty and smartly informed. As the evening approaches, their time together is nearing a close. Whether or not Naomi and Ethan will see one another again is purposefully left ambiguous. However, their relationship–whether it be temporary or long-lasting–proves that one's whole perspective can change in a day.
Los Angeles Plays Itself
Los Angeles plays itself in this romantic drama, using the improvisational spirit of the city as the perfect backdrop. Shot predominantly outside on various hiking trails, the cinematography is fantastically executed. These visuals contribute to the film's overall cohesion and mastery of craft. The songs, which I can only assume are original works, fit each transition perfectly. They act as a natural segway for scene advancement and provide another form of catchy entertainment. The only micro hitch is in the screenplay when Naomi reacts in shock from Ethan's confession that he hasn't seen either There's Something About Mary or The Wedding Singer. This, on its own, isn't the issue; yet it's only a few scenes later that we learn Naomi has apparently never heard of Rebel Without a Cause, and thinks it's the name of a band. To be more familiar with Adam Sandler than Marlon Brando isn't illegal, although it should be.
Takeaway
At a time when people are quick to dismiss one another for differing views and beliefs, Lost With You shows the beauty in not rushing to judgment. It strikes the right balance of representation without coming across as preachy or favoring one side over the other. On paper, Naomi and Ethan are polar opposites. Despite society's odds stacked against them, they prove that empathy and compassion are qualities strong enough to sustain any relationship.