The film isn't a traditional documentary. It blurs the lines between reality and fiction, shifting between handsomely shot 35mm footage and rougher analogue video. As Ray’s physical and mental state deteriorates, the movie becomes a meta-narrative about the ordeal of filmmaking itself.
For fans of Wim Wenders' work or Nicholas Ray’s filmography , it is an essential, if haunting, watch. Lightning Over Water (1980) - Reality Is Scary Lightning Over Water
Wenders is visibly torn, struggling with the ethics of filming a dying man while honoring his friend's wish to forge ahead. "The Condition Before Transition" The film isn't a traditional documentary