Video essays: two-minute takes

This collection of mini video essays by film writers and critics offers fresh perspectives on familiar films.

Showgirls is a Western

In this mini video essay, BFI contributor Maha Al-Badrawi explains why Paul Verhoeven's Showgirls is a rhinestoned, stilettoed Western. Contains spoilers!

Short documentary
2025
2 mins

Dreams of a Life tears up the documentary playbook

Carol Morley mixes memory and fantasy into a tragedy, says critic, writer and film programmer Jannat Suleman.

Short documentary
2026
2 mins

Amélie: A hymn to a way of being

Author and journalist Christian Donlan marks the 25th anniversary of Jean-Pierre Jeunet's magical Parisian romance.

Short documentary
2026
2 mins

Dig! is a nostalgia uppercut

Rewinding the tape to a bygone era when rock bands not only still rocked, but feuded and rock documentaries caught it all on camera.

Short documentary
2026
2 mins

Skate Kitchen carved out space for marginalised skaters

Writer and roller skater Jessica Holland celebrates the impact of Skate Kitchen, Crystal Moselle's Sundance-nominated NYC coming-of-age tale.

Short documentary
2026
2 mins

The Cars That Ate Paris - the unexpected beginnings of a master director

Writer Will Webb examines the humour and visual invention of Peter Weir's debut film.

Short documentary
2026
2 mins

The Gold Diggers: Sally Potter’s debut forces you to break free of passivity

Potter's debut feature film forces us to reckon with women's pressure to shape-shift to fit in, says Lilia Pavin-Franks. 

Documentary
2026
3 mins