Freakonomics Radio 632. When Did We All Start Watching Documentaries?
365 snips
May 2, 2025 
R.J. Cutler, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker known for his work with icons like Billie Eilish and Martha Stewart, dives into the changing landscape of documentary filmmaking. He explores how streaming has turned documentaries into mainstream entertainment, reshaping viewer preferences. Cutler shares insights on the emotional depth behind his projects, the complexities of editing narratives from raw footage, and the ethical dilemmas in balancing creative integrity with financial pressures, all while hinting at his desire to document the New York Mets.
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Documentary as Equal Cinema Art
- Documentary film became an art form equal to scripted filmmaking in the 1960s shift to character-driven cinema.
- Documentaries moved beyond education to fully narrative, engaging stories with real-life "movie stars."
Streaming Unleashed Documentary Demand
- Documentaries had underserved audiences before streaming made them widely accessible.
- Streaming moved arts house documentary audiences from small venues to millions in homes.
Harlan County Inspired Cutler
- Watching Harlan County, USA on PBS inspired R.J. Cutler as a teenager to pursue documentary filmmaking.
- The film's depiction of conflict and the director's voice were deeply impactful and transformative for him.