Is At the Back of the Screen Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2020)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of At the Back of the Screen (2020), audiences are invited back into the world of various. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "A documentary about Malga Kubiak and her team. It's not only a movie about her, but also about the situation of independent, lesbian and queer cinema in Poland, Europe and all over the world. Malga is a director, activist, mother, daughter and grandmother. Her family is constantly engaged in her work. She made over 40 movies about such queer icons as Pasolini, Annemarie Schwarzenbach, F.G. Lorca, Andy Warhol or Lizzie Siddal, the muse of Pre-Raphaelites."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Malga Kubiak attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good cinema. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is At the Back of the Screen worth your time? If you appreciate various films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, At the Back of the Screen misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 187 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.