If the last eight years invited a creeping suspicion that Americans were becoming apathetic, complacent, silenced or tongue-tied,  Shelly Silver’s film in complete world sweeps this feeling away. With an incisive mix of political questions (‘Are we responsible for the government we get?’) with more broadly existential ones (‘Do you feel you have control over your life?’) the film centers on the tension between living life individually and collectively, as a citizens of a city, nation and world.

In Complete World can be seen as a user’s manual for citizenship in this already rocky 21st century, as well as a glimpse into the opinions and self-perceptions of a diverse group of Americans. It is a testament to the people of New York City in this new millennium, who freely offer up thoughtful, provocative and at times tender revelations to a complete stranger, just because she asked.

Festivals & Awards

Official selection: IDFA