OBIT.

Call it a morbid fascination, but many people turn to the obituary page in the daily newspaper before reading anything else. This film looks at the fine writers employed by The New York Times, whose mission it is to create these tributes to the recently deceased as they rush to meet deadlines, obtain perspective and assemble facts. Conversations regarding placement and space, who merits either – the notable as well as the lesser-known – are overheard. Ultimately, a team of humane, gifted people make commemorating the dead a lasting art.
Discussion after the film with Peter Kramer, Features reporter at the Journal News / LoHud, who has written a few obituaries over the years as well.

“You might think a documentary about the obituary writers at The New York Times would be a depressing, sobering, scholarly work — but it’s anything but.” Richard Roper, Chicago Sun-Times

“Critic’s Pick! Observant, graceful and nonchalantly witty. One comes away from Obit. grateful that the paper has at its disposal a team of humane, gifted people who make commemorating the dead a lively, lasting art. —Gene Seymour, The New York Times

“Fascinating and surprisingly funny.” —Rex Reed, Observer

“A remarkably good film about the craft of writing. I was amazed and often delighted by Obit.” —Stuart Klawans, The Nation