Gift

Released Oct 11, 2019

1h 30m

Documentary

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Gift: Trailer 1

2:10

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Tomatometer

14 Reviews

89%

Audience Score

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Chronicling gift-based cultures from around the world. A tribute to the value of creativity in a culture increasingly governed by money and overrun with commodities.

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Bilge Ebiri

Spirituality & Health

There is a radical utopianism at the heart of Gift, but for its 90-minute running time, Robin McKenna's documentary makes you believe such a world is possible.

Mar 19, 2020

Full Review

Michael O'Sullivan

Washington Post

There are no on-screen titles identifying names, places or dates - most of the previous paragraph I looked up online - but the film's unifying message is clear: All its subjects are involved in giving something away.

Rated: 2.5/4

Oct 28, 2019

Full Review

A.O. Scott

New York Times

At a time when art is relentlessly commercialized and commodified, Robin McKenna's "Gift" provides a gentle and welcome reminder of other values.

Oct 14, 2019

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Robert Denerstein

Denerstein Unleashed

[Robin] McKenna's documentary can seem like a bit of a stunt, but for the 90 minutes it takes to watch Gift, it's possible to surrender to its spirit.

Nov 8, 2019

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Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

"Gift" only wants to be the most peaceful moviegoing event of the film year, working to create a feel-good overview of human possibility.

Rated: B

Nov 6, 2019

Full Review

Pat Padua

The DC Line

McKenna's gentle film...encourages the viewer to look beyond the monetary value of creativity.

Nov 1, 2019

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Audience Member

I've worked with numerous charities over 40 years and learned that people can be remarkably giving and generous. This doc shares some deeply touching instances of giving without expectation of return. I had the great privilege of being approached by a pair o college students who offered "Two minutes of the Bard?" I gratefully accepted. When I offered a couple of dollars, they asked that I pay it forward. This film really is an eye-opener and a soul-feed, and a gentle reminder that people in this world are still doing beautiful things for others without expectation.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Sweet idea, but unrealistically idealized. They must have shot a lot of film to select out this sequence.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/20/23

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Audience Member

Heartwarming and inspiring

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

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Audience Member

Gorgeous meditative film...elevates the viewer to a place where creativity, spirituality, and new possibilities emerge.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/08/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Wonderful! Poetic, thoughtful; it plants a delicate seed that brightens your mental orchard...

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/25/23

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Audience Member

Great movie. All the feels.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

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Robin McKenna

Director

Giorgio De Finis

Self

Robin McKenna

Writer

Ina Fichman

Producer

Robin McKenna

Producer

Nicolas Canniccioni

Cinematographer

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Gift: Trailer 1

2:10

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Synopsis

Chronicling gift-based cultures from around the world. A tribute to the value of creativity in a culture increasingly governed by money and overrun with commodities.

Director: Robin McKenna
Screenwriter: Robin McKenna
Distributor: Matson Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 11, 2019, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 4, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $31.6K
Runtime: 1h 30m