Verified source report
Benita review – Alan Berliner puts new spin on late film-maker’s work in entrancing tribute
After Benita Raphan took her own life in 2021, director and friend Berliner spent years poring over her unfinished work to create a documentary unlike anything else This is a one-of-a-kind documentary that has been coaxed and cut together by veteran film-maker Alan Berliner (Intimate Stranger, First Cousin Once Removed), who also serves as its narrator – but most of its graphics, footage and imagery were made by film-maker Benita Raphan , also the subject of the film. As such, it’s not exactly a collaboration since Raphan took her own life in 2021, for reasons the film gently tries to untangle. Nevertheless, Berliner commits to creating in this film something that limns the fragile spirit, startling originality and dogged, and indeed doggy, kindness of his canine-loving late friend. In the process, Berliner has completed the unfinished film she was worrying over when she died but at the
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What happened
According to The Guardian’s source item, Benita review – Alan Berliner puts new spin on late film-maker’s work in entrancing tribute, After Benita Raphan took her own life in 2021, director and friend Berliner spent years poring over her unfinished work to create a documentary unlike anything else This is a one-of-a-kind documentary that has been coaxed and cut together by veteran film-maker Alan Berliner (Intimate Stranger, First Cousin Once Removed), who also serves as its narrator – but most of its graphics, footage and imagery were made by film-maker Benita Raphan , also the subject of the film. As such, it’s not exactly a collaboration since Raphan took her own life in 2021, for reasons the film gently tries to untangle. Nevertheless, Berliner commits to creating in this film something that limns the fragile spirit, startling originality and dogged, and indeed doggy, kindness of his canine-loving late friend. In the process, Berliner has completed the unfinished film she was worrying over when she died but at the
Context
The development sits in VINI’s Culture file for readers following arts, entertainment, fashion, film, music, celebrity, and the business of culture. The original report is linked so readers can check the source account, follow later updates, and compare new coverage against the first published record. The source item is dated 2026-06-22T10:00:23+00:00.
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Primary source: Benita review – Alan Berliner puts new spin on late film-maker’s work in entrancing tribute via The Guardian. VINI cites and links the source; it does not reproduce the publisher’s full article text without rights clearance.
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- Benita review – Alan Berliner puts new spin on late film-maker’s work in entrancing tributeThe Guardian - 2026-06-22T10:00:23+00:00
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