The Ten Essential Mockumentaries
Reviewing Scott Glosserman’s “Behind the Mask” had me thinking about the best mockumentaries. It’s a new genre, which gained prominence in the 80’s with the success of “This is Spinal Tap”. Perhaps the first attempt to use the technique of a falsified reality is Orson Welles’ famous radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds”. In film, the 1979 TV Movie parodying the Beatles, “The Rutles” can probably lay claim to the first ever traditional mockumentary. Here are the ten best:
Reviewing Scott Glosserman’s “Behind the Mask” had me thinking about the best mockumentaries. It’s a new genre, which gained prominence in the 80’s with the success of “This is Spinal Tap”. Perhaps the first attempt to use the technique of a falsified reality is Orson Welles’ famous radio broadcast of “War of the Worlds”. In film, the 1979 TV Movie parodying the Beatles, “The Rutles” can probably lay claim to the first ever traditional mockumentary. Here are the ten best:
10. Death of a President (2006) dir. Gabriel Range
Perhaps the most notorious of all these mock-docs, “Death of a President” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006 to much hoopla. It was clever marketing ploy to announce the film as the acronym D.O.A.P. and then later reveal the real title, “Death of a President”. The U.K. film posits a hypothetical assassination of the actual serving President of the United States George W. Bush and documents the event as an unsolved mystery – a la the JFK conspiracy. Director Gabriel Range uses real archival footage of Bush, Cheney and others and cuts everything to create their false reality. If anything it shows how manipulative editing can be.
Perhaps the most notorious of all these mock-docs, “Death of a President” premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in 2006 to much hoopla. It was clever marketing ploy to announce the film as the acronym D.O.A.P. and then later reveal the real title, “Death of a President”. The U.K. film posits a hypothetical assassination of the actual serving President of the United States George W. Bush and documents the event as an unsolved mystery – a la the JFK conspiracy. Director Gabriel Range uses real archival footage of Bush, Cheney and others and cuts everything to create their false reality. If anything it shows how manipulative editing can be.
9. Forgotten Silver (1995) dir. Peter Jackson, Costa Botes
“Forgotten Silver” tells the story of Peter Jackson’s discovery of some lost film by renowned cinema pioneer Colin MacKenzie. Of course, there is no such person. But Jackson and co-director Costa Botes invent an elaborate history for the fake filmmaker. Mackenzie was said to have invented the close-up (by accident), the tracking shot, and the ‘talkie’. Jackson obviously had some fun recreating Mackenzie’s turn of the century film clips in the style of the early cinema. The deadpan of Jackson and all the interviewees involved, including Sam Neill are so convincing if you didn’t know the history of cinema you could almost believe it as true.
“Forgotten Silver” tells the story of Peter Jackson’s discovery of some lost film by renowned cinema pioneer Colin MacKenzie. Of course, there is no such person. But Jackson and co-director Costa Botes invent an elaborate history for the fake filmmaker. Mackenzie was said to have invented the close-up (by accident), the tracking shot, and the ‘talkie’. Jackson obviously had some fun recreating Mackenzie’s turn of the century film clips in the style of the early cinema. The deadpan of Jackson and all the interviewees involved, including Sam Neill are so convincing if you didn’t know the history of cinema you could almost believe it as true.
8. Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon (2006) dir. Scott Glosserman
Ever wonder what Jason Vorhees does when he’s not killing or stalking innocent victims? Does he eat, sleep? Does he get tired? “Behind the Mask” answers all these questions in a little-known but clever horror mockumentary that deconstructs the slasher genre with pinpoint accuracy. The mockumentary genre builds on the groundwork of genre deconstruction from the “Scream” series and adds its own genre-fanboy intelligence to it. It’s never received a theatrical release, but it’s available on DVD from Anchor Bay.
Ever wonder what Jason Vorhees does when he’s not killing or stalking innocent victims? Does he eat, sleep? Does he get tired? “Behind the Mask” answers all these questions in a little-known but clever horror mockumentary that deconstructs the slasher genre with pinpoint accuracy. The mockumentary genre builds on the groundwork of genre deconstruction from the “Scream” series and adds its own genre-fanboy intelligence to it. It’s never received a theatrical release, but it’s available on DVD from Anchor Bay.
7. Hard Core Logo (1996) dir. Bruce McDonald
Quentin Tarantino famously supported this film. In fact, he almost cast lead actor Hugh Dillon as Robert De Niro’s character in “Jackie Brown”. Bruce McDonald’s dissection of rock and roll road movies has punk attitude and tragic irony. Hugh Dillon plays Joe Dick who reunites his band Hard Core Logo for a raucous cross-Canada tour. Like “Spinal Tap” the film is verite style but played completely straight, and for the first time in the genre a compelling drama is created from a fictionalized reality.
Quentin Tarantino famously supported this film. In fact, he almost cast lead actor Hugh Dillon as Robert De Niro’s character in “Jackie Brown”. Bruce McDonald’s dissection of rock and roll road movies has punk attitude and tragic irony. Hugh Dillon plays Joe Dick who reunites his band Hard Core Logo for a raucous cross-Canada tour. Like “Spinal Tap” the film is verite style but played completely straight, and for the first time in the genre a compelling drama is created from a fictionalized reality.
6. Zelig (1983) dir. Woody Allen
There was a time when Woody Allen was one of the most innovative directors around. In 1983 he conceived a character named Leonard Zelig who can transform his appearance to blend in with the people around him. Unlike “Spinal Tap’s” cinema verite style Allen’s mock-doc used a traditional archival approach. He seamlessly blends himself into stock footage – appearing beside Herbert Hoover, Ernest Hemingway and a hilarious scene with Adolf Hitler. Perhaps Allen got the idea from the famous “March of the Times” montage at the opening of “Citizen Kane.”
There was a time when Woody Allen was one of the most innovative directors around. In 1983 he conceived a character named Leonard Zelig who can transform his appearance to blend in with the people around him. Unlike “Spinal Tap’s” cinema verite style Allen’s mock-doc used a traditional archival approach. He seamlessly blends himself into stock footage – appearing beside Herbert Hoover, Ernest Hemingway and a hilarious scene with Adolf Hitler. Perhaps Allen got the idea from the famous “March of the Times” montage at the opening of “Citizen Kane.”
5. Fubar (2003) dir. Michael Dowse
This has a soft spot for me. Canadians don’t do many things well in cinema, but mockumentaries is certainly one of them. Michael Dowse’s low budget ode to skid metal-heads is one of the funniest mock-docs of all time. Paul Spence and David Lawrence play Dean and Terry, two Canadian hosers who listen to heavy metal, drink a lot of beer, destroy property and stay stupid shit. The film moves into black absurd comedy when Terry develops testicular cancer and earns an unexpected heart as contrast to its maniacal nihlism.
This has a soft spot for me. Canadians don’t do many things well in cinema, but mockumentaries is certainly one of them. Michael Dowse’s low budget ode to skid metal-heads is one of the funniest mock-docs of all time. Paul Spence and David Lawrence play Dean and Terry, two Canadian hosers who listen to heavy metal, drink a lot of beer, destroy property and stay stupid shit. The film moves into black absurd comedy when Terry develops testicular cancer and earns an unexpected heart as contrast to its maniacal nihlism.
4. Man Bites Dog (1992) dir. Remy Belvaux
“Man Bites Dog” could be the most absurd and certainly the blackest of all these films. It depicts a documentary crew following around, verite-style, a serial killer as he stalks, kills, and disposes of the bodies of a series of victims. The film is probably best summed up with the scene where he describes how he ballasts a body before dumping it in the water. The film moves into another gear in the third act when a rival film crew meets up with a rival killer with violent consequences. It’s a must see.
“Man Bites Dog” could be the most absurd and certainly the blackest of all these films. It depicts a documentary crew following around, verite-style, a serial killer as he stalks, kills, and disposes of the bodies of a series of victims. The film is probably best summed up with the scene where he describes how he ballasts a body before dumping it in the water. The film moves into another gear in the third act when a rival film crew meets up with a rival killer with violent consequences. It’s a must see.
3. Waiting for Guffman (1997)/Best in Show (2000) dir. Christopher Guest
All of Christopher Guest’s post-Spinal Tap films could go on this list, since he is the unrivaled ‘master’ of the genre. “Waiting For Guffman” and "Best in Show" represents the best of his style. Both films move beyond the “Spinal Tap” style and tell a story about characters, community, and mileu without relying on the gimmick of the genre. Few of these films do.
All of Christopher Guest’s post-Spinal Tap films could go on this list, since he is the unrivaled ‘master’ of the genre. “Waiting For Guffman” and "Best in Show" represents the best of his style. Both films move beyond the “Spinal Tap” style and tell a story about characters, community, and mileu without relying on the gimmick of the genre. Few of these films do.
2. The Blair Witch Project (1999) dir. Eduardo Sanchez, Daniel Myrick
The hype and marketing of “The Blair Witch Project” was its own success story. But the filmmaking skill of Sanchez and Myrick should not be overlooked. They gave the cameras to the actors themselves to film, and had to direct them without traditional methods of setups, rehearsals etc. It was truly experimental filmmaking where the process informed the content on screen. If you weren’t throwing up from the shaky camera, you were probably scared shitless.
The hype and marketing of “The Blair Witch Project” was its own success story. But the filmmaking skill of Sanchez and Myrick should not be overlooked. They gave the cameras to the actors themselves to film, and had to direct them without traditional methods of setups, rehearsals etc. It was truly experimental filmmaking where the process informed the content on screen. If you weren’t throwing up from the shaky camera, you were probably scared shitless.
1. This is Spinal Tap (1984) dir. Rob Reiner
Easily the most influential and most often referenced mockumentary of all. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer play an over the hill rock band in the 80’s trying to sustain fame and respectability in a new era of music. From the amplifier that goes to 11 to getting lost in the bowels of Cleveland arena before a concert, in cinema verite style we get a fly-on-the-wall look at this pathetic but adorable power trio. The in-character audio commentary from Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls on the DVD is as good as the film. Check it out.
Easily the most influential and most often referenced mockumentary of all. Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer play an over the hill rock band in the 80’s trying to sustain fame and respectability in a new era of music. From the amplifier that goes to 11 to getting lost in the bowels of Cleveland arena before a concert, in cinema verite style we get a fly-on-the-wall look at this pathetic but adorable power trio. The in-character audio commentary from Nigel Tufnel, David St. Hubbins and Derek Smalls on the DVD is as good as the film. Check it out.
28 comments :
I do love The Rutles and I attribute a lot of that to Neil Innes' unbelievable soundtrack. Some of the songs were even better than the real songs they were lampooning. Genius.
It seems that all of Michael Moore's films are missing from this list. Better luck with the next list.
RJ - This is a list of "mockumentaries" - a movie or television program shot in the form of a documentary but with fictitious and often satirical subject matter ".
Regarding Michael Moore, he is a director of "documentaries" - a movie or TV program presenting facts and information, especially about a political, historical, or social issue.
If this was a list of documentaries then he may have made the list, but his types of films don't fit here. I think the list is pretty good.
Just a guess, but I think RJ might actually know the difference between a doc and a mock and was just "taking a piss" as the Brits like to say. His point possibly being that Moore's docs tend to contain a lot of incidental fiction.
Also, have to say that I thought
"Behind the Mask"--while containing the few clever ideas about slasher films and characters that the "Scream" movies hadn't covered, was not only pretty lame, but a cheat as a mockumentary, since it essentially drops the conceit in the final reel, the time when it would've potentially paid the greatest dividends (see "Blair Witch").
What about Stalking Santa?
Narration by William Shatner, I mean, come on!
You missed out on "Real Life," Albert Brooks' 1976 spoof on the early 70's PBS series "An American Family."
Not only does it predate "The Rutles," it's one of the funniest mockumentaries of all time, and one of the most effective in skewering the notions of objectivity and truthfullness in verite cinema.
What about Drop Dead Gorgeous?
Jenna Fischer's "Lollilove" is also a great new classic Mockumentary...
But this list is pretty good, so it's alright. :)
Could you make this list and NOT have Spinal Tap be number one?
This list is alright. But what is up with including Leslie Vernon. What a useless pice of crap that movie was. It is not even a mockumentary. It is just a horrid movie. Makes me question the whole list. How can you include something brilliant like Man Bites Dog on a list with Leslie Vernon. What a joke.
They forgot the french mockumentari "Operation Lune" about the theory that the americans never landed on the moon!
I was hoping to find one of my favorite's on your list - "The Making of . . .And God Spoke"
The World Was Created In Six Days. It Was Beautiful. But It Was Way Over Budget!
"The History of White People in America" Volumes I and II are great too. They were made for television, directed by Harry Shearer, and starred Martin Mull and Fred Willard among others.
"Fear of a Black Hat" anyone?
It's reminiscent of "Spinal Tap", that's for sure... but hilarious in it's own right.
I was glad to see Man Bites Dog made the list. I figured it would be missed as I don't know anyone but myself who has ever seen it. Good but kinda twitchy. Especially if you go in knowing nothing about it. Especially not knowing it is a mockumentary.
Great comment, rj! Yes, someone understood your irony (at least I hope you were being ironic). Nice mentions of Fear of a Black Hat (which suceeded where CB4 failed) and Drop Dead Gorgeous, too. Allison Janney's best role till Juno.
You forgot the most essential fake documentary, the one that really started them all - "David Holzman's Diary".
On the surface, it's a movie about a filmmaker shooting every aspect of life - a life that's extremely boring and narcisstic. But it's a much deeper dig at the "personal diary" filmmaking that emerged with cheap cameras and youth culture.
"Holzman" premiered at a film fest in the late 1960s and nearly caused a riot when it was shown - people felt duped, thinking it was genuine until the last reel, and were really pissed that the filmmaker had dared to deflate the serious documentaries being made at the time. It really predicted the whole attitude, style and non-content of reality television.
It was originally released on laserdisc by Criterion; it's now only available on a Region 2 DVD.
I would like to say that while Mockumentaries may not have become a genre or a popular film form until the late 70s, Louis Bunuel made a short mockumentary called Land Without Bread decades prior. It is perhaps the first true mockumentary, but unless you are a film major at a university where the short is part of the curriculum or you happen to be a die hard Bunuel fan, you've probably never heard of it before. I suggest anyone that can get a hold of it to watch it. It's very funny, et it tries very earnestly to convince the audience that everything is true.
I like the list. I don't get all the hate for Behind the Mask though... I thought it was an excellent film personally.
How about Herzog's Incident At Loch Ness? Is that technically a mocumentary? It'd make my list if so. Hilarious.
what about American Movie. That is better than a few on this list....
American movie is actually a real documentary...
Thanks for the article, there are some new titles that i'll definitely track down. You should check out the work of Peter Watkins, especially 'The War Game' (1965).Although it won the Oscar for best documentary in 1967 it is a fictional account of a nuclear attack on the English countryside. It seems he was experimenting with verisimilitude in documentary film a little earlier than others on your list.
Look up "Spaghetti Harvest" on youtube. Then read about it. The Brits actually fell for it.
The aussie mockumentary KENNY is fkn awesome
How about Street Thief?
Excellent mockumentary.
Fear of a Black Hat was a hip-hop mockumentary with great songs, much better than CB4 which claimed to be a "rap Spinal Tap". Oh, and Behind the Mask was utter crap.
Borat?
Nothing by Peter Watkins? He made one of the best and most powerful mockumetaries ever, CULLODEN, in 1964! And he won an Oscar for his 1965 film THE WAR GAME, which offered a look at England after it had been hit in a nuclear war. Watkins is a real pioneer of the form and a woefully underappreciated filmmaker; take a look at his work and see what I mean sometime. Otherwise a fine list, and I was glad to see HARD CORE LOGO included.
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