The Enigma of Orson Welles' Final Film

In 2018, Netflix brought Orson Welles' final film, The Other Side of the Wind, to the world, concluding a legendary journey that began over 40 years earlier. With a production span of 48 years, it holds the record for the longest film production in history. Much like Citizen Kane, Welles' magnum opus, The Other Side of the Wind pushed the boundaries of storytelling and cinematic form.

Entangled in legal and political battles for decades, many questioned if it would ever be released. Now streaming on Netflix, The Other Side of the Wind stands as one of Welles' most ambitious and experimental films, reflecting the visionary genius behind Citizen Kane. Welles' swan song is not just a film-it's a fascinating story of artistic perseverance and cinematic history, filled with tragedy and triumph.

Instagram & TikTok: @lucas.cavanagh
Letterboxd: @LucasCavanagh

Sources:

Karp, J. (2016). Orson Welles's Last Movie: The Making of The Other Side of the Wind.
St. Martin's Griffin.
Welles, O., Bogdanovich, P., & Rosenbaum, J. (1992). This is Orson Welles. https://ci.nii.ac.jp/ncid/BA19667824
Leaming, B. (1986). Orson Welles.
Epstein, A. (2022, July 20).
The wild story of how Orson Welles' unfinished film got to Netflix after 40 years lost. Quartz.
Ross, A. (2018, September 26). How Orson Welles's "The Other Side of the Wind" Was Rescued from Oblivion. The New Yorker.
Jagernauth, K. (2016, April 5). Netflix negotiating to complete & distribute Orson Welles' "The Other Side of the Wind." The Playlist.
Welles, Orson, director. The Other Side of the Wind. Netflix, 2018.
Neville, Morgan, director. They'll Love Me When I'm Dead. Netflix, 2018.

Tags:
orson welles,the other side of the wind,orson welles citizen kane interview,cinema,orson welles great movies,citizen kane,video essay,orson welles video essay,lucas cavanagh