The Witness
The Witness

Movie spotlight

The Witness

2015
Movie
86 min
English

A brother's journey to unravel the truth about the mythic death and little known life of Kitty Genovese, who was reportedly murdered in front of 38 witnesses and has become the face of urban apathy.

Insights

IMDb6.7/10
Director: Andrei MjagkijGenres: Documentary, Crime, Mystery

Plot Summary

This documentary investigates the infamous 1964 murder of Kitty Genovese, exploring the sensationalized media reports that claimed dozens of bystanders heard her cries but did not intervene. It delves into the complexities of the case, questioning the narrative and examining the social and psychological factors that may have contributed to the public's perception of bystander apathy. The film aims to shed new light on the events and the individuals involved.

Critical Reception

The film received mixed to positive reviews, with critics often praising its investigative approach and its attempt to re-examine a well-known, yet often misunderstood, true crime event. Some found its conclusion to be less definitive than hoped, while others lauded its thoroughness.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its detailed examination of the Kitty Genovese case.

  • Some found the documentary's conclusions to be somewhat inconclusive.

  • Appreciated for its efforts to challenge commonly held beliefs about the event.

Google audience: Information regarding Google user reviews is not readily available for this specific documentary.

Fun Fact

The documentary highlights the significant role media coverage played in shaping public perception of the Kitty Genovese murder, potentially overshadowing the actual facts of the case.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
j0ng

j0ng

This is a very well made film. I grew up hearing about the story of Kitty Genovese, but the facts that are widely accepted as truth aren't accurate. This film puts the record straight. There are some surprises, and the ending reenactment wa...

Reno

Reno

**A brother's quest to learn the other side of the crime.** My last documentary film was a couple of Oscar nominees that I saw before the award ceremony. I'm not that into documentaries compared to the feature films I watch on the regula...