‘Something Familiar’ Review: Filmmaker Rachel Taparjan Confronts Her Past in a Searching, Self-Focused Doc

This CPH: DOX Main Competition entry is a poignant but overwrought exploration of adoption.

By Murtada Elfadl

Murtada Elfadl

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There’s a prevalent trend in contemporary documentary filmmaking where directors are looking inwards towards their own lives and experiences. British Romanian filmmaker Rachel Taparjan’s “Something Familiar” is the latest entry within this mode. Even the title belies that. However Taparjan valiantly deconstructs her personality by examining her past and unearthing her demons and traumas. “Something Familiar” might be too self-reflective, even navel-gazing, but it’s strong nonetheless. 

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