The New York Times Op-Docs

Watch The New York Times Op-Docs

  • 2011
  • 1 Season

The New York Times Op-Docs is a series of short films that explore various topics through the lens of personal storytelling. Produced by The New York Times, the Op-Docs aim to provide viewers with engaging, thought-provoking content that sheds light on some of the most pressing issues of our time.

Each episode of The New York Times Op-Docs features a different filmmaker or journalist who shares their unique perspective on a particular issue, offering insight and commentary from their own experiences. From politics and social justice to art and culture, the Op-Docs cover a wide range of subjects and perspectives, with each episode offering a thought-provoking and engaging look at the world around us.

One of the key attributes that sets The New York Times Op-Docs apart is its dedication to personal storytelling. Rather than simply providing a factual account of current events or social issues, the Op-Docs take a personal approach, allowing viewers to connect with the storyteller and the subject matter on a deeper level.

Another noteworthy feature of The New York Times Op-Docs is the quality of its production values. Each episode is expertly produced and shot with a keen eye for detail, combining stunning visuals with powerful sound effects and an immersive score to create a truly cinematic experience.

Despite its high production values, however, The New York Times Op-Docs never loses sight of its journalistic integrity. Every episode features rigorous research and fact-checking, ensuring that viewers receive accurate information and a well-rounded understanding of the issues at hand.

One of the most impressive aspects of The New York Times Op-Docs is the range of topics it covers. From exploring the lives of refugees and undocumented immigrants to examining the impact of climate change on our planet, the Op-Docs take on some of the most pressing and complex issues of our time, providing insight and inspiring thoughtful reflection in equal measure.

One particularly impactful episode of The New York Times Op-Docs examines the experiences of young Black children growing up in a society that often sees them as threats rather than as human beings. Titled 'A Conversation With My Black Son' and directed by filmmaker Geeta Gandbhir, the episode features candid interviews with Black parents and their children, shedding light on the impact of systemic racism on young people's lives.

Another standout episode of The New York Times Op-Docs, 'Invisible Nation', explores the lives of homeless young people in the United States, highlighting their struggles and offering insights into the challenges they face as they try to navigate the difficult terrain of homelessness and poverty.

Overall, The New York Times Op-Docs is a powerful and engaging series that offers a fresh perspective on some of the most pressing issues of our time. Combining rigorous journalism with personal storytelling and stunning cinematography, the Op-Docs provide viewers with a unique and thought-provoking window into the world around us.

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Seasons
The Scars of Stop-and-Frisk
20. The Scars of Stop-and-Frisk
June 11, 2012
A short documentary film on New York's stop-and-frisk policing focuses on Tyquan Brehon, a young man in Brooklyn who says he was stopped more than 60 times before age 18.
Transition
19. Transition
May 30, 2012
The filmmaker Zina Saro-Wiwa presents an Op-Doc on black women's decision to embrace their naturally kinky hair, rather than use chemical straighteners.
Waiting for Health Care
18. Waiting for Health Care
May 19, 2012
The filmmaker Peter Nicks goes behind the doors of an American public hospital struggling to care for a community of largely uninsured patients.
Taking the Waste Out of Water
17. Taking the Waste Out of Water
April 20, 2012
Drinking water reclaimed from sewage might sound disgusting, but it could be a necessary solution to our domestic water woes.
Name Change
16. Name Change
April 17, 2012
The filmmaker Sharon Shattuck recalls the apprehension she experienced when her father, a transgender cross-dresser, decided to legally adopt a woman's name.
Good Night, Ryan
15. Good Night, Ryan
April 13, 2012
A filmmaker explores the fate of Specialist Ryan Yurchison, who returned from Iraq with P.T.S.D. and, after seeking help at the local V.A. hospital, died of a drug overdose in a possible suicide.
The Island President Deposed
14. The Island President Deposed
February 7, 2012
The filmmaker Jon Shenk presents a portrait of Mohamed Nasheed, the first democratically elected president of the Maldives and an environmental activist, who was deposed on Feb. 7.
Texting While Walking
13. Texting While Walking
January 7, 2012
The filmmaker Casey Neistat explores the hazards of text messaging while walking in New York City.
They Will Say We Are Not Here
12. They Will Say We Are Not Here
January 24, 2012
The filmmakers Katherine Fairfax Wright and Malika Zouhali-Worrall explore the motivations, sorrows and dreams of the slain Ugandan gay rights activist David Kato.
The Role of Youth
11. The Role of Youth
December 3, 2011
The filmmaker Matt Wolf and the writer Jon Savage reflect on the history of youth in times of crisis.
The Justice of the Occupation
10. The Justice of the Occupation
January 21, 2012
The filmmaker Ra'anan Alexandrowicz explores the impact of Israel's High Court of Justice on Palestinian rights.
Focus
9. Focus
November 3, 2011
The filmmaker Jeff Scher presents an abstract celebration of the New York City Marathon.
The Silent Majority
8. The Silent Majority
November 1, 2011
Consisting of rare footage filmed by President Richard M. Nixon's aides, this experimental documentary revisits Nixon's campaign to win an elusive majority.
Hi! I'm a Nutria
7. Hi! I'm a Nutria
March 18, 2012
In this animated short by the filmmaker Drew Christie, a rodent living in Washington State defends criticism that he is an invasive species and asks, "How long does it take to become a native?"
Dismantling Detroit
6. Dismantling Detroit
January 17, 2012
The filmmakers Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady look at young men who salvage scrap metal from Detroit's derelict buildings, set against the backdrop of globalization.
Mitt Likes Music, Including This
5. Mitt Likes Music, Including This
May 13, 2012
The Gregory Brothers present a musical video mash-up about what Mitt Romney likes from lakes and trees to music and cars to grits and Twilight.
Ai Weiwei: Evolution of a Dissident
4. Ai Weiwei: Evolution of a Dissident
January 20, 2012
The filmmaker Alison Klayman presents an exclusive look at the Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei and his struggle for the freedom of expression.
Bike Thief
3. Bike Thief
March 11, 2012
The filmmaker Casey Neistat conducts an experiment in New York City, locking up his own bike and brazenly trying to steal it, to determine whether onlookers or the police would intervene.
El Wingador
2. El Wingador
February 2, 2012
The filmmaker Errol Morris explores the excessive eating habits of a five-time champion of the Philadelphia Wing Bowl.
The Umbrella Man
1. The Umbrella Man
November 21, 2011
On the 48th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Errol Morris explores the story behind the one man seen standing under an open black umbrella at the site.
Description
  • Premiere Date
    November 21, 2011