This rapid-fire documentary, conceived as a companion piece to Palombella Rossa, traces the failure of the Italian Communist Party during a time of transition in the early 1990s. Infiltrating the party organization and eavesdropping on conversations, Moretti’s camera illuminates the history of the party’s ideology. Compelling, humorous, and thought-provoking, The Thing examines Communist culture past, present, and future as its invasive style and seemingly objective position flesh out the personalities behind the movement and push the political documentary into fresh territory.