Today, Explained When docs cry
9 snips
Nov 15, 2024 
Matthew Belloni, a founding partner at Puck, discusses the phenomenon of participation documentaries, critiquing how celebrity involvement often turns authentic narratives into polished promotional content. Joining him is Sasha Weiss, deputy editor at New York Times Magazine, who offers rare insights into the unreleased Prince documentary. They explore the artistic challenges of capturing Prince's legacy amidst estate disputes and the tension between personal storytelling and commercial interests, shedding light on the evolving landscape of documentary filmmaking.
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Participation Docs
- Many celebrity documentaries are "participation docs," where the subject has control.
- This often leads to glorified PR instead of honest storytelling.
Spotting Participation Docs
- To spot a participation doc, check the filmmaker's past work and the subject's production company involvement.
- These can indicate control over the final product.
Amy Winehouse Doc
- Matt Belloni cites the Amy Winehouse documentary as a non-participatory example.
- It explored her struggles honestly, unlike many participation docs that favor positive portrayals.