Computer Chess (15) - film review

Bujalski's dry and very deadpan comedy-drama could easily be mistaken for a verité-style documentary in the DA Pennebaker or Albert Maysles mould.

Largely shot in fuzzy black and white, it is set over a weekend at a hotel where a group of chess programmers are competing in their own little tournament. It's the early 1980s. The film, although clearly shot on a very small budget, captures brilliantly the look of the period. This was an era when computers were still hulking machines. Bujalski satirises the nerdy, ultra-competitive programmers but he also celebrates their dedication and ingenuity.

Andrew Bujalski, 92 mins Starring: Patrick Riester, Wiley Wiggins, Myles Paige, Robin Schwartz, Gerald Peary