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In Alison Chernick’s ‘House of Criticism,’ Jerry Saltz and Roberta Smith Step Out From Behind Their Bylines

In the film, which premiered at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival, America's most influential art critics are the subjects rather than the observers.

The art scene in New York is a major part of its cultural identity, and art critics hold real influence: their opinions can elevate an artist’s career or, in some cases, contribute to their obscurity. Yet there are relatively few critics closely followed by artists. Among them are Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Magazine critic Jerry Saltz and longtime co-chief art critic of the New York Times Roberta Smith. Married since 1992, they occupy a unique position in American culture as arguably the most influential couple in contemporary art criticism.

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At the Tribeca Film Festival, where the documentary House of Criticism had its world premiere, the couple themselves became subjects of attention. Directed by Alison Chernick, whose previous films explored figures including Jeff........

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