Hotchkiss School Screens Documentary Film Matin
Filmmakers presented the documentary featuring Afghani potter Matin Malikzada at the school event.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Documentary
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The Hotchkiss School hosted a screening of the short documentary Matin on October 26, 2026. The film explores the life and work of seventh-generation Afghani potter Matin Malikzada.
Why it matters
The documentary highlights Malikzada's adaptation to new artistic environments and his technical dedication to preserving traditional pottery methods. It serves as a window into the intersection of heritage, displacement, and artistic innovation.
Malikzada conducted 415 experimental kiln firings to perfect his glaze formulas. This effort follows his previous capacity to produce 100 pieces daily on a kick wheel, significantly scaling down from the 1,800 to 2,000 pieces fired in traditional wood kilns.
The players
Matin Malikzada
He is a seventh-generation Afghani potter who previously led the ceramics department at the Turquoise Mountain Institute and currently works in New Milford.
Yonah Sadeh
He is a filmmaker who co-created the short documentary focusing on the artistic journey and techniques of Matin Malikzada.
Hannah Wheeler
She is a potter and filmmaker who collaborated with Yonah Sadeh on the production of the documentary film.
The Hotchkiss School
It is an independent boarding school in Lakeville, Connecticut, that hosted the recent public screening of the documentary.
The details
The film was created by Yonah Sadeh and Hannah Wheeler, who joined Malikzada at the event to discuss his transition to life in New Milford, Connecticut. Malikzada, formerly the head of the ceramics department at the Turquoise Mountain Institute, now utilizes electric kilns to replicate his signature colors using local materials.
Timeline
October 26, 2026: The Hotchkiss School screened the documentary Matin.
Industry Dynamics
This documentary reflects the broader trend of cinematic storytelling capturing the preservation of endangered artisanal crafts in a globalized market. It mirrors the work of the Turquoise Mountain Institute in documenting how traditional artists navigate the shift from ancient techniques to modern equipment.
Viewers interested in the artistic process can watch for future screenings as the filmmakers incorporate new footage and animation into the project. The film provides an accessible look at how traditional pottery techniques are maintained and adapted in contemporary settings.
The takeaway
The documentary illustrates how artisans preserve cultural heritage by adapting traditional methods to modern tools. Audiences can gain a deeper appreciation for the technical trial and error required to maintain signature aesthetics in changing environments.
Further reading
Learn more about the genre in our Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lakeville Journal.
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