Rate It X Documentary Receives 4K Restoration
A new restoration of the 1986 film Rate It X prepares for a theatrical run at the IFC Center in New York.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Documentary
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IndieCollect and the UCLA Film & Television Archive have completed a 4K restoration of the 1986 documentary Rate It X. The project, distributed by Kino Lorber, is set to open at the IFC Center in New York on November 20, 2026.
Why it matters
The restoration preserves an influential documentary that documented diverse perspectives on American culture. It serves as a historical record of the mid-1980s social and advertising landscape.
The 4K restoration brings the original 1986 production to modern display standards. The project was made possible through support from the Golden Globe Foundation, Sundance Institute, and the Women's Film Preservation Fund of NYWIFT.
The players
IndieCollect
This nonprofit organization is dedicated to the preservation of independent films.
UCLA Film & Television Archive
It is a major repository for moving image collections and a center for film preservation efforts.
Kino Lorber
This company is a prominent distributor specializing in independent, foreign, and restored cinema.
Paula de Koenigsberg
She is one of the original directors of the 1986 documentary Rate It X.
Lucy Winer
She co-directed the documentary Rate It X, which explores diverse societal views in America.
The details
Directed by Paula de Koenigsberg and Lucy Winer, the original film features unfiltered interviews with advertising executives, pornographers, and religious figures. The filmmakers designed the documentary to capture these subjects across America without providing overt commentary.
Timeline
The original documentary was first released in 1986.
The restored film opens at the IFC Center on November 20, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The restoration reflects a broader industry movement to digitize and preserve aging documentary works for contemporary audiences. It aligns with the mission of the Women's Film Preservation Fund of NYWIFT to ensure historically significant female-led projects remain available for study.
Viewers can watch the restored documentary during its theatrical run at the IFC Center beginning in late November. The distribution through Kino Lorber indicates that audiences may have wider access to the film following its initial limited engagement.
The takeaway
The restoration of Rate It X allows new generations to view unfiltered historical perspectives on American cultural figures. Audiences interested in independent film history can experience this work in its updated format at the IFC Center.
Further reading
Learn more about the genre through the Documentary section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Playlist.
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