TWST / Things We Said Today

More than a decade in the making, Romanian filmmaker Andrei Ujică’s first feature since the monumental The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu finds the found-footage maestro creating a fresh kind of city symphony. It’s 13 August 1965 in New York City, and the Beatles will be performing at Shea Stadium the following weekend. We see their fans jostling in the streets, hoping to catch a glimpse of their idols. This dynamic impression of an era then abruptly broadens its perspective with images from the Watts riots in Los Angeles, which were ignited by rage over racism and police violence. Meanwhile, New Yorkers relax in the park or dance the twist. We see someone in Harlem sharing his opinion, and a fan visiting the New York World’s Fair on his way to the concert. Immersed in the mood and energy of the era, TWST is as poignant as it is playful—a stunning work of art and a dynamic snapshot of a moment in time.