Open the “documentaries” section of your friendly local streaming service and you'll find a ton of movies about celebrities. Rockers, politicians, artists, authors, athletes, everyone you've ever heard of has made a documentary and is probably also a producer on it. The appeal of a film like this is obvious. If you already like someone, you can listen to them talk about themselves.if i know you should Like someone, you can make a simple introduction to become a fan.
That's the appeal of two documentaries released this week. “Pop's Greatest Night” (Netflix) and “Dario Argento Panico” (Shudders). The first is a light-hearted look at the recording of “We Are the World,” filled with archival footage of the actual 1985 recording and reminiscences from figures like Bruce Springsteen and Lionel Richie. The film avoids any real consideration of the song itself or its cultural import, but if you want to hear celebrities talk about a truly bizarre night, you won't be disappointed. (Click here for critics' reviews.) Similarly, Dario Argento Panico is a great introduction to the Italian horror master (best known for his work on Suspiria), directed by Guillermo del Toro. Supplemented with commentary by people such as. Nothing groundbreaking, but you'll learn a thing or two from him. (Here's our review.)
These movies got me thinking about documentaries that go beyond regular movies and focus on celebrities. The best of these movies tend to not only talk about the subject matter, but also tell us what the subject matter is about. means, in a cultural sense. After all, celebrities aren't just people. These are products packaged for us to consume in some way, and their stories say something about the world at large.
The history of nonfiction film is full of examples of how celebrities and their teams of publicists and managers have increased control over their images, so much so that it feels like they're revealing rather than hiding. Documentaries are becoming increasingly rare to find. One fun recent example is “Judy Blume Forever” (Prime Video). This work shows the importance of YA writers, especially in their fearlessness towards censorship and the banning of their books.
One of the best recent films in this genre is Listen to Kenny G (Max). The film interweaves interviews with Smooth His Jazz, his saxophonist, and discussions with fans, opponents, and critics to consider what his popularity actually means. Why do we like art in the first place?
And the Oscar-winning Summer of Soul (Hulu, Disney+, and major platforms) uses archival footage and commentary to not only revisit a series of groundbreaking Harlem concerts from 1969; , examines their broader significance in the story of race in America.
These movies don't just tell the story of an event or a person's life, they give you a broader perspective on the world around you. And that's one of the best challenges a movie like this can accomplish.