Good story, Not enough for a whole film

it is finally so absorbing because it plays like a lyrical road odyssey that’s also a detective story.

While it is a pity that the story wasn't told with more visual finesse, this is trivial compared to our real-world problems. It takes a good movie to put that into perspective.

Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

The documentary itself is very interesting. The interview subjects are fascinating and the work they do is amazing. You'll never look at a plain piece of paper the same way. My inner nerd was particularly interested in the math and engineering aspects of paper-folding, and it's always nice to be reminded that the great artists do their best work when they're working under restrictions.Alas, director Vanessa Gould inexplicably chose to narrate this herself, and her voice-over work is so annoying and affected that it just about submarines the whole thing. I had to watch it in small doses, even though it's only 50 minutes long. A good VO performer would have made all the difference.

When I saw this PBS documentary about origami offered Instant Watch on Netflix, I thought what the hell, I'll watch it. I like Japanese food.I thought origami was a noodle and I could've sworn I ate some origami sushi when I was in the military. I thought it gave me gas, but that's wrong, it's the art of folding paper, so that damn PBS got me wrapped up in another weird subject. I don't know how, but PBS gets me watching the oddest stuff. When I finally realized it was paper folding I wondered what sort of wackos would waste their time on such silliness? Well, actually, wackos like me I guess because all my printer paper is ruined now. It's all folded up; won't fit in the slot anymore. Damn PBS.Origami is addicting and the sculptures these artists create are amazing. Elephants - drooping sad faces - finely detailed insects - it's all done with folds. No cutting or glue allowed in origami. Did you know that? Spindly insect legs done with just folds.I'm just a beginner, a "grasshopper" as they say in the Orient, and I don't like to brag, but I've crafted a few origami artworks of my own. It seems I'm a natural, it just flows out of me. I have one piece I've named "Isosceles Triangle" produced during my early "geometric" period. I have another called "Pointy Airplane" that will actually fly. You just have to put a paper-clip on it's nose, so it's really a mixed medium piece. Steel on paper. The one I'm most proud of though, my magnum opus as some would say, is called "Crumpled-Up Ball: A Study in Abstract". That one is many, many folds. Innumerable folds that I created during an inspired alcohol fueled frenzy. I display this masterwork in a glass case in my foyer and it leaves visitors speechless. They just stare at it, transfixed. Clearly it moves them, but I tell them it's not for sale. I can see the disappointment in their eyes, but I won't pervert my art for the thousands of dollars they'd probably offer me. I'M AN ARTIST, NOT A PROSTITUTE! So I recommend this episode of Independent Lens. The subject of paper folding is endlessly fascinating, just stock up on plenty of paper. You may not be as gifted as me, few are, but it might be a good hobby for you - keep you from wasting your time reading those countless inane movie reviews.

I expected to be introduced to a world of origami that went beyond my casual acquaintance of it. What I was unprepared for and moved by was how far beyond "beauty" and "technique" the pursuit of this art can take us. I thought this film was crafted in such a way as to gradually intensify the effect of discovering ever deeper meaning in the art and science of folding. Each artist portrayed approach their work with a passion and clarity that leads to greater discovery; their philosophical concepts derived from the methods to their art making is inspiring. The film is a perfect blend of informative storytelling and artistic inspiration.

Vanessa Gould has done the world a tremendous service by producing a documentary that is breathtaking. Between the folds not only demonstrates the wizardry of great masters of origami, it connects science and art in a way that connects heart with soul. The practical uses of origami, driven by the elegance of the underlying mathematics, are astounding. The contributions of the late Yoshizawa-san on origami have been phenomenal, but those of Dr. Robert Lang, Michael LaFosse, Vincent Floderer and all the others in the film are no less so. The genius in each of these artists is visible in their passion, their creativity, their dedication and their pride. Origami is truly therapeutic. As Dr. Demaine says, it is fun. Thanks to Vanessa and her gorgeous project, we can all enjoy the grandeur of this art form.