American Movie

Here's an interesting documentary for you, if you have an hour and a half to spare. "American Movie" (1999) chronicles the aspiring American filmmaker Mark Borchardt in the mid-90s as he's trying to shoot and complete his horror short "Coven".



This doc has apparently become quite the cult movie, and it's easy to see why. Like Tim Burton's Ed Wood, it balances a fine line between inspirational optimism and tragic comedy, some of the scenes rivalling the hilarity of mockumentary comedies such as This is Spinal Tap and The Office. Only this isn't a scripted mockumentary, it's the real deal, so you're not sure whether to laugh or cry...

Like Ed Wood, the film conveys a mixed bag of passion, inspiration, the triumph of the will to create over defeating circumstances, humour, tragedy, alcoholism, degradation and depressing hopelessness. All in all, it's an interesting look at working class (bordering on 'white trash') America, and its relation to the American dream.

(Via Coilhoise)