Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

NYAD – Review by Elisabetta Bianchini

October 20, 2023January 13, 2026 Elisabetta Bianchini Anna Harriette Pittman, annette bening, diana nyad, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, jodie foster, Rhys Ifans

Based on the true story of Diana Nyad, Annette Bening and Jodie Foster bring the power of female friendship to the thrilling and moving biopic of the famed open-water swimmer. Filmmakers Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi stepped into their fist narrative feature film with Nyad, coming from the documentary world with renowned movies like Free Solo and The Rescue. But they’re still very much in their wheelhouse — the world of extreme sports — for this impressively gripping film. When Diana (played by Bening) was in her 20s, she attempted to swim from Cuba to Florida, but never ended up making it all the way. In her 60s, the famed swimmer found a new sense of inspiration to try to achieve this difficult feat again, specifically wanting her friend, trainer and raquetball campion, Bonnie Stoll (Foster), to be her coach and be by her side for the swim.

Festivals

TIFF 2023 Preview: Films Directed By Women

August 19, 2023August 30, 2024 Rachel West Alice Rohrwacher, anna kendrick, Catherine Breillat, Deepa Mehta, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Ellen Kuras, justine triet, kristin scott thomas, Louise Archambault, Patricia Arquette, Rosine Mbakam, Sally El Hosaini, TIFF, TIFF 2023

The 48th edition of the Toronto International Film Festival is once again ready to kick off in Toronto. While this year may not have the star power of previous years due to the ongoing SAG and WGA strikes, there are still plenty of films to see – especially ones with women filmmakers at the helm. While not reaching gender parity in their programming this year, TIFF is still showcasing films by women from around the world. Both well-established directors and first-time directors helm everything from star-studded ensembles, documentaries, indie dramas, comedies, and more. With more than 70 films, series, and shorts directed by women, there are many opportunities to take in female-helmed films this festival, which runs September 7 through 17th. See the full list of feature-length films and series directed or co-directed by women.

Reviews

RETURN TO SPACE – Review by Valerie Kalfrin

April 6, 2022April 6, 2022 Valerie Kalfrin Bob Behnken, documentaries, Doug Hurley, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Elon Musk, International Space Station, Jim Bridenstine, Jimmy Chin, nasa, Return to Space, SpaceX

Say what you will about Elon Musk (and Twitter on any given day has a lot), but NASA loves the mega-billionaire and founder of SpaceX—and the documentary Return to Space makes it easy to understand why, though it isn’t just a bunch of accolades for Musk. Rather, it captures the suspense and wonder of sending humans into space, giving much of the focus to the astronauts whom SpaceX helped launch again in 2020 after nearly a decade on the ground. By taking viewers on their journey, Return to Earth offers a deeply personal look at why some feel drawn to the stars, how protective they feel toward the Earth, and how, as one person says, people rallying around a project can make magic happen.

Reviews

THE RESCUE – Review by Diane Carson

October 6, 2021October 10, 2021 Diane Carson cave diving, documentaries, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin, the rescue

Documentarians Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin chronicle the spellbinding, two-week plus, white-knuckle effort to maneuver underwater two kilometers from the cave entrance to the remote chamber where the boys are trapped, with more rain threatening. The best, most experienced British cave divers, Royal Thai Navy SEALS, US Special Forces, an Australian diver/doctor, an array of local support staff from the entire Thai community, and more contributors all come together to face this unprecedented challenge, meaning there was no blueprint for success. In fact, every detail argued against accomplishing their objective, cave diving known as among the most technical and dangerous of all elite athletic endeavors.

Reviews

FREE SOLO – Review by Diane Carson

October 18, 2018October 18, 2018 Diane Carson 0 Comments alex honnold, documentaries, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, free solo, Jimmy Chin

Free Solo is breathtaking and terrifying. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s documentary Free Solo profiles Alex Honnold, the climber who admits often considering free climbing El Capitan, Earth’s most impressive, 3200-foot granite wall. But, as Alex repeatedly said to himself, “That’s just too scary.” Nevertheless, he knew he had to attempt it, insane as the idea is because there is zero margin for error.