The Other Side of the Wind (2018) – Movie Review

The Other Side of the Wind (2018) is one of cinema’s most fascinating and unconventional projects — not only because of its story but also its history. Directed by legendary filmmaker Orson Welles, this film was shot in the 1970s but remained unfinished for decades. Finally completed and released in 2018, it stands as both a cinematic time capsule and a bold experimental work.

The film follows Jake Hannaford (John Huston), a celebrated but fading Hollywood director who throws a lavish 70th birthday party to premiere scenes from his new film — also titled The Other Side of the Wind. What unfolds is a surreal, fragmented narrative that blurs the line between reality and fiction. The party becomes a chaotic reflection of Hollywood’s shifting landscape, filled with journalists, filmmakers, students, and old friends, all circling Hannaford as he faces his own decline.

John Huston delivers a commanding performance as Hannaford, embodying a figure both charismatic and tragic. The supporting cast, including Peter Bogdanovich, Oja Kodar, and Susan Strasberg, adds layers of tension, humor, and unpredictability. What truly stands out is Welles’ daring visual style: rapid cuts, mixed film stocks, and shifting tones create an almost documentary-like energy that mirrors the collapse of a cinematic era.

Welles uses the story to critique Hollywood, celebrity, and the myth of the “great director.” The film-within-a-film sequences are strikingly modern and sensual, while the party scenes are biting and chaotic, reflecting a new generation of filmmakers overtaking the old guard.

⭐ Verdict: The Other Side of the Wind isn’t a conventional film — it’s a bold, fragmented masterpiece that captures the end of one cinematic era and the birth of another. For cinephiles, it’s not just a movie but a piece of history, offering a final glimpse into Welles’ genius and his unfiltered vision.

📝 Genre: Drama, Satire
🎥 Director: Orson Welles
⭐ Cast: John Huston, Peter Bogdanovich, Oja Kodar, Susan Strasberg
📅 Release Year: 2018