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Altina is a captivating documentary that tells the story of Altina Schinasi, a woman whose life spanned almost a century and whose achievements and contributions to the world of art, politics, and culture are as varied as they are inspiring. Directed by Peter Sanders, the film combines stunning archival footage, interviews with Altina's family and friends, and readings from her diary entries and letters to create an intimate and insightful portrait of this remarkable woman.

Born in 1907 to Sephardic Jewish parents in New York City, Altina grew up in an environment that valued creativity and intellectual curiosity. Her mother was a pianist and her father was a tobacco manufacturer who also designed a popular cigarette holder known as the "Schinasi Cigarette". Altina received a classical education, studied at the Art Students League of New York, and soon became interested in creating her own personal artistic style, which incorporated elements of modernism, surrealism, and folk art.

Throughout her life, Altina maintained a deep interest in social activism, championing the causes of civil rights, anti-war movement, and feminism. In the 1930s, she joined the American Communist Party, being later expelled for her disagreement with its leader Earl Browder. Altina was also an enthusiastic supporter of the arts, and during her lifetime, she collaborated with talented artists such as Rene Magritte, Max Ernst, and Marcel Duchamp, who painted her portrait in 1942.

Altina's professional success is outmatched by the challenges she had to overcome in her personal life. She had a tumultuous love life, involving multiple affairs, a failed marriage, and two children. She was estranged from her son and daughter for decades, best illustrated through her daughter's disposition throughout the documentary, who was vocal about her mother's abandonment.

Despite her struggles, Altina's spirit remained unbroken, and the passion she brought to her work and her activism never waned. Her legacy continues to inspire artists and activists of all stripes, and Altina stands as a testament to the power of creativity, perseverance, and compassion.

One of the most impressive things about Altina is how director Peter Sanders manages to tell a captivating story about an exceptional woman and an entire century of history without ever resorting to nostalgia or sentimentality. Instead, the film treats its subject with respect and admiration while acknowledging her flaws and contradictions. Sanders also wisely chooses to incorporate not only Altina's own voice but also those of her friends and family, who offer different perspectives on her life and work, further establishing the diverse representation Altina fought for throughout her life.

The film's focus on Altina's achievements in the world of art and activism is significant and refreshing for female artists to see their male counterparts celebrated disproportionately. With commentary from artists such as Alice Neel, Frida Kahlo, and Ethel Schwabacher, it’s clear that Altina was recognized by other pioneering female artists of the era. Inclusion, and diversity in any manifestation, is a recurring theme throughout the documentary, revealing Altina's lifelong belief in social equality as much more than lip-service.

Altina, the documentary, excels in its detail-oriented approach to filmmaking, juxtaposing archival footage, photographs, and diary entries with interviews and footage of contemporary exhibits of Altina's work. The documentary highlights the importance of collaboration and highlights the impact art can have on politics and vice versa, making a clear case for activism through creativity.

In conclusion, Altina is an inspiring and powerful documentary about a woman ahead of her time, whose life and work serve as an inspiration to all those who believe in the power of creativity, activism, and equality. The film is as informative as it is entertaining, and director Peter Sanders has done an excellent job of creating an engrossing cinematic experience that both educates and entertains, leaving the viewer wanting to learn more about this remarkable woman.

Altina is a 2014 documentary with a runtime of 2 hours. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.4 and a MetaScore of 65.