Documentaries About Making Movies

From Stevan Riley, starring Marlon Brando, Stella Adler, Bernardo Bertolucci, Michael Borne
Rated Unrated

Listen to Me Marlon is a 2015 documentary film directed by Stevan Riley that explores the life and legacy of Marlon Brando, one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history. Through a mix of archival footage, audio recordings and interviews with those closest to him, the film delves into Brando’s personal life, his struggles with fame, his views on the film industry, his revolutionary take on method acting, and his influence on popular culture. The film is an intimate portrait of a complex individual as he reflects on his life and career with insight, humor and deep introspection.

From Frank Pavich, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Michel Seydoux, H.R. Giger, Chris Foss
Rated PG-13

Jodorowsky's Dune is a 2013 documentary film directed by Frank Pavich. It chronicles the story of Chilean filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky's failed adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 science fiction novel Dune. The documentary follows Jodorowsky's ambitious but ultimately doomed attempt to adapt the novel for the big screen, involving an all-star cast and a vast, ambitious art and design team. The film includes interviews with many of Jodorowsky's collaborators and contemporaries from the 1970s, as well as a wealth of behind-the-scenes footage from the original pre-production of the film. Through their interviews, the film reveals how Jodorowsky's unique vision for Dune and its potential to revolutionize the science fiction genre were ultimately doomed by the film industry's unwillingness to take risks and embrace the unconventional. The documentary also paints a portrait of Jodorowsky himself, exploring his creative process and commitment to his art.

From Agnès Varda, starring Agnès Varda, André Lubrano, Blaise Fournier, Vincent Fournier
Rated Not Rated

The Beaches of Agnès is a 2008 French film directed by Agnès Varda. The film is a semi-autobiographical documentary about the life and career of Agnès Varda as a pioneering female filmmaker. As she looks back on her life, Varda travels to many beaches and locations around the world and examines her own creative legacy. The documentary includes interviews with her family, friends, and peers, as well as her own musings on life, art, and creativity. The Beaches of Agnès is a beautiful and inspiring tribute to the life and work of Varda.

From Werner Herzog, starring Werner Herzog, Klaus Kinski, Claudia Cardinale, Eva Mattes
Rated Not Rated

My Best Fiend is a 1999 documentary by Werner Herzog, chronicling his tumultuous relationship with longtime collaborator and friend, actor Klaus Kinski. The film chronicles the often-contentious professional relationship between the two men as they worked together on some of Herzog’s most acclaimed films, including Aguirre, the Wrath of God, Nosferatu the Vampyre, and Fitzcarraldo. The documentary also explores the personal rivalries, mutual respect, and friendship that eventually developed over the years. Through interviews with Herzog, Kinski's widow and son, and other contemporary filmmakers, My Best Fiend illuminates the complex relationship between the two as Herzog looks back on their tumultuous past.

From Steve James, starring Roger Ebert, Chaz Ebert, Gene Siskel, Martin Scorsese
Rated R

Life Itself is a documentary directed by Steve James, who also directed Hoop Dreams. The film focuses on the life of film critic Roger Ebert, and examines his life, career, and legacy. Through interviews with Ebert, his wife, Chaz Ebert, his friends, and colleagues, the film paints a portrait of his remarkable life. The film also includes archival footage and clips from some of Ebert's most famous films and interviews. The film explores Ebert’s struggles with alcoholism, his political activism, his relationships with his colleagues, and his battle with cancer. It also delves into his influence on American cinema and culture. The film ultimately celebrates Ebert's life and his passion for film, while also providing insight into his remarkable legacy.

From Directors: JR, Agnès Varda, starring Agnès Varda, JR, Jeannine Carpentier, Clemens Van Dungern
Rated PG

Faces Places is a 2017 French documentary film directed by Agnès Varda and the photographer/muralist JR. In it, the two artists travel around rural France, meeting local people and creating art projects featuring giant black-and-white portraits of them. Through their journey, the pair discover the beauty and vibrancy of everyday life and form a deep bond of friendship and mutual admiration. Along the way, they reflect on the power of art to open our eyes and make us more aware of the lives of others, and to create a sense of community. The film celebrates the importance of human connection and the power of creativity to bring people together.

From Craig McCall, starring Jack Cardiff, Martin Scorsese, Kirk Douglas, Lauren Bacall
Rated Not Rated

Cameraman: The Life and Work of Jack Cardiff is a 2010 documentary film directed by Craig McCall that pays tribute to the amazing life and work of cinematographer Jack Cardiff. Through interviews with some of Cardiff’s closest friends and colleagues, including Martin Scorcese, Lord Richard Attenborough, and Kirk Douglas, the film delves into Cardiff’s life and career, which stretches from the golden age of British cinema to the modern day. The film covers Cardiff's groundbreaking use of color, his artful direction of actors, and his collaborations with some of the most famous directors in the world. It also highlights his dedication to his craft and his lifelong passion for filmmaking.

From Xan Cassavetes, starring Robert Altman, Vera Carlisle Anderson, C.L. Batten, Jacqueline Bisset
Rated R

Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession is a 2004 documentary film about the history and legacy of the Los Angeles-based cable television station Z Channel. Starting in 1974, Z Channel was the first pay-cable station to show films uncut and as they were intended to be seen. The staff at Z Channel became known for their passionate and knowledgeable curation of films, and they helped launch the careers of many filmmakers. The documentary follows the story of Z Channel founder Jerry Harvey and his vision for the station, as well as the eventual spiral into depression, alcoholism, and suicide that led to the eventual demise of the station in the late 1980s. Through interviews with filmmakers and stars, as well as a treasure trove of clips, Z Channel: A Magnificent Obsession pays tribute to the legacy of Z Channel and its singularly influential role in film history.

From Tom Donahue, starring Deborah Aquila, Risa Bramon Garcia, Ellen Chenoweth, Marion Dougherty
Rated TV-14

Casting By is a 2012 documentary film directed by Tom Donahue that celebrates the overlooked art of casting directors in Hollywood. It focuses on the career of Marion Dougherty, the pioneering woman who revolutionized the industry. As the film sheds light on her pioneering work in the 1950s and 1960s, it also examines the struggles and challenges she faced as a female in a male-dominated industry. It also looks at the subsequent generations of casting directors influenced by her and how the industry has changed over time. The film includes interviews with many of Hollywood’s biggest stars, such as Robert De Niro, Glenn Close, and Al Pacino, as well as filmmakers Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, and Mike Nichols. Ultimately, this film celebrates the craft of casting and the people who help to bring talented actors to the screen.

From Directors: Ted Demme, Richard LaGravenese, starring Francis Ford Coppola, William Friedkin, Robert Altman, John G. Avildsen
Rated R

A Decade Under the Influence is a 2003 documentary directed by Ted Demme and Richard LaGravenese that chronicles the rise of American independent cinema in the 1970s. The film focuses on the directors, actors, writers, and producers who pushed boundaries and took risks to create films that captured the spirit of the decade. It features interviews with filmmakers such as Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Robert Altman, Hal Ashby, Dennis Hopper, Peter Bogdanovich, John Cassavetes, and others. Through archival footage and clips from classic films of the era, the film paints a portrait of the creative energy that drove the industry forward in the period. The documentary also looks at the changing attitudes towards the Hollywood studio system and ultimately celebrates the lasting impact these films had on cinema and culture.

From Christopher Kenneally, starring Derek Ambrosi, Michael Ballhaus, Andrzej Bartkowiak, Dion Beebe
Rated Not Rated

Side by Side is a 2012 documentary film directed by Christopher Kenneally and produced by Justin Szlasa, Keanu Reeves, and Alex Lebovici. In the film, Reeves interviews directors, cinematographers, colorists, scientists, engineers, and other industry professionals who are using and developing both digital and photochemical film creation methods. The documentary examines the history, process, and workflow of both film and digital and explores the advantages and disadvantages of working with both. It explores the impact of new technology on the film-making industry and examines the changing role of cinematographers in the digital age. The documentary features interviews with directors Martin Scorsese, Steven Soderbergh, David Lynch, George Lucas, and others as well as industry professionals such as directors of photography, film editors, producers, and engineers. It also looks at the wider implications of the switch to digital in terms of archiving and preserving films.

From Chris Smith, starring Jim Carrey, Danny DeVito, Milos Forman, Peter Bonerz
Rated TV-MA

Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond is a 2017 documentary directed by Chris Smith about the life of actor Jim Carrey and his portrayal of comedian Andy Kaufman in the 1999 film Man on the Moon. The documentary focuses on Carrey’s method approach to the role, in which he took on the persona of Kaufman during filming, and the lasting effect this had on him. Through archival footage and interviews with Carrey, the film explores the actor’s unique commitment to the role and how it impacted his career, as well as those around him. The documentary shows how Carrey was able to inhabit the role of Kaufman and gain a greater understanding of the comedic genius that was Andy Kaufman.

From Matt Schrader, starring Marco Beltrami, Jon Burlingame, Leonard Maltin, Bill Field
Rated Not Rated

Score: A Film Music Documentary is a 2016 documentary directed by Matt Schrader. The film explores the history, influence, and artistry of film music and its lasting impact on the world of music. The film highlights the work of iconic film composers such as Ennio Morricone, Danny Elfman, John Williams, and Hans Zimmer, as well as the stories behind some of the most famous scores such as Star Wars, The Godfather, and The Social Network. Through interviews with some of the most accomplished composers, filmmakers, and musicians in the industry, the film reveals the creative process of making a film score, the various techniques and tools used in the composition of musical scores, and the lasting impact that film scores have had on popular culture and music.

From Midge Costin, starring Gary Rydstrom, Steven Spielberg, Teresa Eckton, Thomas A. Edison
Rated Unrated

Making Waves: The Art of Cinematic Sound is a 2019 documentary film by director Midge Costin that explores the history, impact, and evolution of the art of sound design in filmmaking. The film examines the key pioneers of the craft, from sound effects editors to sound mixers, and sheds light on the groundbreaking innovations that have changed the way sound is used in cinema. It also looks at the current state of Hollywood sound design, and how it has shaped the modern movie-going experience. The film features interviews with some of the biggest names in the business, including George Lucas, Steven Spielberg, director Ang Lee, and sound designer Walter Murch. The documentary also looks at how sound design has influenced the development of technologies such as Dolby Atmos, binaural sound, and digital workstations, and how these innovations have impacted the way filmmakers are able to tell stories.

From Morgan Neville, starring Alan Cumming, Peter Bogdanovich, Oja Kodar, Orson Welles
Rated TV-MA

From Kirby Dick, starring Kirby Dick, Kimberly Peirce, Darren Aronofsky, Atom Egoyan
Rated Unrated

From Directors: Noah Baumbach, Jake Paltrow, starring Brian De Palma, Mark Hamill, Amy Irving, Kurt Russell
Rated R

From Directors: Nanette Burstein, Brett Morgen, starring Robert Evans, Eddie Albert, Peter Bart, Charlie Bluhdorn
Rated R

From Directors: Keith Fulton, Louis Pepe, starring Terry Gilliam, Johnny Depp, Jeff Bridges, Tony Grisoni
Rated R

From Kent Jones, starring Wes Anderson, Peter Bogdanovich, David Fincher, Bob Balaban
Rated PG-13

From Alexandre O. Philippe, starring Marli Renfro, Alfred Hitchcock, Tere Carrubba, Alan Barnette
Rated Not Rated

From Michael Paul Stephenson, starring George Hardy, Pita Ray, Micki Knox, Tommy Bice
Rated Not Rated

From Gabe Klinger, starring Sandra Adair, James Benning, Richard Linklater
Rated Not Rated