Weiner

Weiner

Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, Weiner is a riveting and darkly comedic political documentary that captures the rise and unraveling of former U.S. congressman Anthony Weiner as he attempts an audacious comeback in the 2013 New York City mayoral race. What begins as an intimate portrait of political resilience quickly transforms into a study of public image, media spectacle, and the personal cost of ambition.

Filmmakers Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg were granted extraordinary access to Weiner’s campaign, documenting his efforts to rebuild a career destroyed by scandal. Their cameras follow as charisma, conviction, and idealism collide with controversy and denial—offering a raw, unfiltered look at both the candidate and the chaotic machinery of modern politics. The result is a film that feels almost surreal in its proximity to implosion: part comedy of errors, part tragedy of ego, and entirely emblematic of a culture obsessed with downfall.

Beneath the tabloid headlines, Weiner examines how authenticity, shame, and public performance intertwine in an age where every misstep is amplified. It’s as uncomfortable as it is compelling, revealing the tension between private vulnerability and political theatre. With its brisk pacing and fly-on-the-wall intimacy, Weiner stands as one of the most unforgettable political documentaries of its time—a fascinating reflection on power, accountability, and the absurd spectacle of redemption in the digital era.