10 Excellent Documentaries on Film Production

      In celebration of the theatrical re-release this week of *Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse*, here are 10 exceptional documentaries focused on the filmmaking process.

      These documentaries—accessible on platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Max, and others—delve into the struggles and joys of creating films. They illustrate that crafting a great movie is a challenging task, and even producing a mediocre one is far from easy.

      We hope you find enjoyment in this compilation of documentaries about filmmaking.

      **Overnight** (Philo/Tubi/Pluto TV)

      A captivating tale of rapid success followed by self-sabotage, *Overnight* tells the story of *Boondock Saints* director Troy Duffy, a Boston bouncer who secures a deal with Harvey Weinstein’s Miramax Films. Directors Tony Montana and Mark Brian Smith capture Duffy’s journey as he strikes a deal for his band, with Weinstein even agreeing to finance his bar. Duffy indulges in his newfound luck, mingling with stars like Mark Wahlberg and Keanu Reeves, but loses sight of his potential due to arrogance. MovieMaker Magazine makes a brief appearance, but that’s not the reason for its inclusion here.

      This film leads viewers down many Wikipedia rabbit holes—remarkably, after the fallout of *Boondock Saints*, Duffy resurfaced with *Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day*.

      **Side by Side** (Amazon Prime/Freevee)

      In a conversation with Keanu Reeves, he produces and hosts this 2012 documentary that investigates the ongoing debate between film and digital video.

      The actor interviews leading directors from contemporary cinema—including James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, Martin Scorsese, David Fincher, David Lynch, Steven Soderbergh, and Robert Rodriguez—about their views on the tech-driven landscape and the future of film in an increasingly digital age.

      For filmmakers still deciding whether to embrace digital or fully commit to film like actor-turned-cinematographer Giovanni Ribisi, the perspectives of beloved directors will likely intrigue you.

      **The Wolfpack** (Max)

      “If I didn’t have movies, life would be pretty boring,” shares one of the six Angulo brothers, who spent much of their lives sequestered in a small NYC apartment under the strict control of their parents, who rejected outside contact.

      This Sundance Grand Jury Prize-winning documentary follows the lives of these sheltered young men, who came of age by reenacting their favorite films, such as *Reservoir Dogs*, with inventive homemade props and costumes. The story is rich in meaning, with one significant lesson illustrating cinema's transformative power, shaping their understanding of a world they were barred from, providing an escape from their house arrest, and ultimately giving them the courage to break free.

      *The Wolfpack* captures the essence of independent filmmaking and the victory of the creative spirit that continually drives the medium. As one of the brothers expresses in the trailer, “It makes me feel like I’m living, because it’s kind of magical.”

      **Lost Soul: The Doomed Journey of Richard Stanley’s Island of Dr. Moreau** (Amazon Prime, Tubi)

      Among the documentaries on this list, *Lost Soul* is a prime candidate for a narrative remake. It details the tumultuous journey of creating the critically derided box office failure *The Island of Dr. Moreau*, featuring Marlon Brando, Val Kilmer, and David Thewlis.

      The behind-the-scenes drama is far more captivating than what was shown to audiences by director John Frankenheimer, who replaced original writer-director Richard Stanley. When Stanley was dismissed from the troubled production impacted by a hurricane, a spiraling budget, and star egos, he covertly returned to the island set, disguised as a beastly extra to observe the chaos while participating in the final film.

      The revelations shared by Stanley, actress Fairuza Balk, former New Line Cinema president Robert Shaye, and other key individuals involved in the ill-fated production make this documentary not only compelling but also rich with insights into the harsh realities of the film industry.

      **Still Working 9 to 5** (VOD on Amazon, YouTube, Apple)

      This new documentary by directors Camille Hardman and Gary Lane illuminates the making of the classic comedy *9 to 5* and the widespread gender inequality in the workplace that motivated Jane Fonda and producing partner Bruce Gilbert to embark on this project in the '70s.

      The film examines the changes and the persistence of issues faced by working women in the last 40 years. It also highlights how this screwball office comedy serves as exemplary activist filmmaking. *9 to 5* not only achieved commercial success—competing against *Empire Strikes Back* in December 1980—but it also inspired collective action towards professional equality.

      Navigating that delicate balance is commendable, and *Still Working* provides audiences with an understanding of how this team accomplished it, beginning with F