Nick Davis lecture: The Director's influence on documentaries

Documentaries have a history as old as film itself, and even some of the earliest ones express a certain perspective or point of view. But how are those perspectives expressed through the cinematic choices made by a documentary's director about the subject of their film?

We'll find out in the latest lecture by Northwestern Professor Nick Davis. Over the past sessions at the Alliance Francaise he's proven an invaluable guide illuminating aspects of filmmaking, and here while providing a wealth of context will be focusing on four recent documentaries (2000 Meters to Andriivka (Amazon), Afternoons of Solitude (multiple services), The Alabama Solution (HBO Max), and The Tale of Silyan (Hulu)), exploring the "unique aesthetic decisions that make each film a creative achievement as well as a valuable inquiry into real lives and events."

After the 90 minute lecture, we'll head to the nearby Centennial at 733 N. LaSalle to talk about documentaries and Davis' thoughts about them. Admission to the lectures is (always) FREE, but it's recommended to sign up at the following link (especially since the last couple have been filling up to capacity): https://www.chicagofilmfestival.com/event/diggingdeeper-docs2026/