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What Is Cinema?

6.420131h 20mMovieDocumentary

Using the words and ideas of great filmmakers, from archival interviews with Alfred Hitchcock and Robert Bresson to new interviews with Mike Leigh, David Lynch, and Jonas Mekas, Oscar-winning filmmaker Chuck Workman shows what these…

DirectorChuck Workman
WriterChuck Workman
ProducerCharles S. Cohen

Where to watch

Cohen Media Amazon ChannelCohen Media Amazon ChannelKanopyKanopyTubi TVTubi TV
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Cast · Directed by Chuck Workman

CAChantal Akerman
Chantal Akerman
Self
RARobert Altman
Robert Altman
Self
DLDavid Lynch
David Lynch
Self
CCosta-Gavras
Costa-Gavras
Self
RBRobert Bresson
Robert Bresson
Self
RERob Epstein
Rob Epstein
Self
AKAbbas Kiarostami
Abbas Kiarostami
Self
MLMike Leigh
Mike Leigh
Self
JMJonas Mekas
Jonas Mekas
Self
MMMichael Moore
Michael Moore
Self
YRYvonne Rainer
Yvonne Rainer
Self
KRKelly Reichardt
Kelly Reichardt
Self

More from Chantal Akerman · Lead actress

Sieben Frauen, sieben Sünden
Sieben Frauen, sieben Sünden
1988 · 5.5
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
Jeanne Dielman, 23, quai du Commerce, 1080 Bruxelles
1976 · 7.4
Je Tu Il Elle
Je Tu Il Elle
1974 · 6.5
Mallet-Stevens Street
Mallet-Stevens Street
1986 · 7.6
Morceaux de Cannes
Morceaux de Cannes
2021 · 2.0
The Man with the Suitcase
The Man with the Suitcase
1983 · 6.3
Portrait of a Lazy Woman
Portrait of a Lazy Woman
1986 · 6.3
Porto
Porto
2017 · 5.6
Chantal Akerman: An Interview
Chantal Akerman: An Interview
1976
Chantal Akerman, an autobiography
Chantal Akerman, an autobiography
2006
See all fromChantal Akerman

More from Robert Altman · Co-star actor

Omnibus
Omnibus
1967 · 7.2
Arena
Arena
1975 · 7.2
Endless Love
Endless Love
1981 · 5.6
The Long Goodbye
The Long Goodbye
1973 · 7.4
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
1947 · 6.8
Breakdown: 1975
Breakdown: 1975
2025 · 6.9
Words in Progress
Words in Progress
2004 · 5.5
From the Prairie to the Palace
From the Prairie to the Palace
1976
Daedalus
Daedalus
2024 · 10.0
Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter
Before the Nickelodeon: The Cinema of Edwin S. Porter
1982 · 6.1
See all fromRobert Altman

More from Chuck Workman · Director

Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles
Magician: The Astonishing Life and Work of Orson Welles
2014 · 6.5
Playboy: The Story of X
Playboy: The Story of X
1998 · 6.8
Stoogemania
Stoogemania
1985 · 3.0
The Source
The Source
1999 · 5.6
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
The First 100 Years: A Celebration of American Movies
1995 · 8.0
Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol
Superstar: The Life and Times of Andy Warhol
1990 · 7.0
A House on a Hill
A House on a Hill
2003 · 9.0
Cuba Crossing
Cuba Crossing
1980 · 4.3
The Money
The Money
1976 · 6.0
Visionaries
Visionaries
2010 · 6.0
See all fromChuck Workman

More like this

Sidney
Sidney
2022 · 6.9
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
Avatar: The Deep Dive - A Special Edition of 20/20
2022 · 7.2
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Hawkeye
2022 · 7.2
Being James Bond
Being James Bond
2021 · 7.8
Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return
Obi-Wan Kenobi: A Jedi's Return
2022 · 6.8
The Walking Dead: The Return
The Walking Dead: The Return
2024 · 7.4
Spielberg
Spielberg
2017 · 7.5
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Thor: Love and Thunder
Marvel Studios Assembled: The Making of Thor: Love and Thunder
2022 · 6.9
Seduced and Abandoned
Seduced and Abandoned
2013 · 6.2
Cameraperson
Cameraperson
2016 · 6.7
Maria by Callas
Maria by Callas
2017 · 7.4
Side by Side
Side by Side
2012 · 7.3

What Is Cinema? — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams What Is Cinema??

What Is Cinema? is streaming on Cohen Media, Kanopy and Tubi TV in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Google Play Movies. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is What Is Cinema? on Netflix?

No, What Is Cinema? is not on Netflix in United States as of November 2026. It's currently on Cohen Media and Kanopy.

Is What Is Cinema? on Amazon Prime Video?

What Is Cinema? isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch What Is Cinema? for free?

What Is Cinema? is available to stream free (with ads) on Kanopy and Tubi TV in United States.