My Favorite Documentaries Showing

the Many Faces of the Creative Process

No matter the discipline, there’s something absolutely fascinating about how each sapiens go through the creative process to give life to an idea, an emotion, a story.

I thought I’d compile a list of the documentaries that have left me with a lasting feeling and nuggets of wisdom that have helped me become the creative I am today. No ranking here as it is simply impossible to quantify the why behind my choices. So the list below is in chronological order by year of release.

Needless to say: if you have any documentaries in mind you feel I should watch, please comment below, I’m always looking forward to discovering more stories about the creative process.

Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004)

– directed by Joe Berlinger-

Some Kind of Monster follows the cult band Metallica as they enter a studio to record an album after losing their bassist and years of tensions within the band. The twenty plus-year-old band is crippled with tensions between its founding members who are slowly transitioning into their forties and realizing that addictions and anger can’t be the fuel to their creativity, so they decide to hire a mental coach and a filmmaking team led by Joe Berlinger to record the full process.

I don’t think they expected it to take three years though. And this is what Some Kind of Monster is about, this three years long journey within one of the most successful band, as they try to create and survive.

I was recommended this documentary a year ago, it took another year, watching Tony Robbins: I’m Not Your Guru and realizing it was the same director to finally do the work and get a copy. Berlinger has a gift to put the camera on the wall and capture moments you’re surprised made it through final-cut.

Oh, and in case you wonder, you don’t need to care about the band to enjoy this doc. If you’re into music documentary and/or the creative process, this is a powerful window into both.

Amazon link

Parallel World, Parallel Lives (2007)

– directed by Louise Lockwood-

The documentary follows Mark Oliver Everett, the singer of the band EELS, on his quest to get to know his later father, quantum physicist Hugh Everett III, who invented the Many Worlds theory. I watched this in a theater during a special screening in L.A. when it came out and remember having my mind blown by the story. In the last decade, and with the democratization of digital technologies, the journey Everett took might took less special, but looking back to understand how you are where you are never gets old.

Bill Cunningham: New York (2010)

– directed by Richard Press –

This documentary has become a classic and is one of my favorites. Cunningham, who was 80+ on the celluloid and has left us since embodies the true creative. Focused, passionate, kind and who made self-sacrificed to become the best at what he did. I’ve added self because the idea is that artists have to sacrifice others (ie “wives and children”) and I think this is utter b.s. Being a creative asks for sacrifices, but there are many ways to sacrifice.

My favorite quote: “If you don’t take money they can’t tell you what to do.” You couldn’t buy Cunningham, and he wasn’t doing it for power.

Amazon link

Waste Land (2010)

– directed by Lucy Walker-

Filmed over three years, this documentary follows Brazilian artist Vik Muniz as he decides to work with “catadores” (Brazilian garbage pickers living in slums) to create large-scale art pieces made out of trash. A great documentary on the creative process that raises important questions such as: what is your duty or where is the border as an artist, when you involve people who don’t have access to basics and make them enter a world that will vanish when you go away once you’re done?

I discovered Lucy Walker through this documentary and have been a fan of her work since. You can learn from her here.

Amazon link

Exit Through the Gift Shop (2010)

– directed by Banksy-

It’s impossible to make a list of documentaries about creativity and not mention this one. It’s meta, it’s mind buggling, it’s also a window into the art world, its absurdity and how the world is spinning at the moment. (It hasn’t changed much in the last 7 years). I’m assuming you know what this documentary is about but if you don’t, watch the trailer, feel confuse and intrigued, and then watch the full documentary.

Amazon link

Fucking Kassovitz (2011)

– directed by François Régis-Jeanne-

Without a doubt one of my favorite documentary on the making of a film. Unfortunately many scenes are in French but boy, if you want to see how everything can go wrong during production, watch this.

I watched this a few years after I had my own cursed shooting on my biggest project to date, which was a shooting on Super 16 in Los Angeles. Absolutely everything that could have gone wrong went wrong, from technical to human issues and seeing that this can happen to anyone, at any scale, selfishly enough felt great. It helped heal the self-doubt scar faster and get to the lessons I was supposed to learn in the process faster. Maybe it will do the same for you.

Side by Side (2012)

– directed by Christopher Kenneally-

The documentary investigates the history, process, and workflow of both digital and photochemical film creation. Funny enough, this documentary will probably sound outdated today, but if you’re into filmmaking, you’ll hear key players and their idea of digital vs. film when it was still a debate. (ignore the lack of diversity in all matters)

Amazon link

Far Out Isn’t Far Enough (2012)

– directed by Brad Berstein –

I absolutely loved this documentary about “French”* artist Tomi Ungerer, who had one of those lives that seem designed to become entangled with Historical events, who pushed all boundaries, paid a high price for it and manages at 80 plus to tell it all with a genuine smile on his face.

Friendly warning to the sensitive minds: drawings of naked women and other sins appearing at some point (not only, but also). Don’t come yell at me because you saw a boob or worse. The trailer will give you a good idea of what’s to come.

*you’ll understand the “French” when you watch. Don’t want to spoil you!

Amazon link

NWR (2012)

– directed by Laurent Duroche-

NWR follows Danish controversial filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn in Thailand as he preps for ‘Only God Forgives’, his then next-to-be film. The documentary retraces the filmmaker’s career, from his childhood to his first feature film, going bankrupt after his first attempt going to Hollywood and his creative process writing his new feature.

There is a group of artists -dead or alive- that touches me much more than their body of work. I enjoy learning from their lives and their existence has much more impact on me than what they produce (Neil Gaiman and Simone de Beauvoir are two other names that come to my mind). It’s been years that Nicolas Winding Refn was on the edge of belonging to this group for me, and this documentary sealed the deal.

Just like the RomCom case, there is a fair chance that this film won’t interest you if you are not a filmmaker and/or a NWR’s fan. I don’t know, you tell me.

The documentary used to be on Distrify but I could only find this German Blu-Ray version. Let me know if you find it somewhere elese.

Indie Game: the Movie (2012)

– directed by Lisa Parjot, James Swirsky-

A fascinating documentary that follows several indie game developers as they try to do alone what teams of dozens backed with $$$ do. Just like its topic, this documentary was made outside of the mainstream path of shooting and releasing a documentary when it was still worth noticing and sharing outsiders. (It still is but even this market has become saturated and the competition for attention has become fierce)

A love letter to the passion for creating and storytelling against bad odds.

Amazon link

Artifact (2012)

– directed by Jared Leto –

Artifact follows the unbelievable journey of Thirty Second to Mars, the rock band lead by Jared Leto who got sued by their own label, EMI, for $30 million. (say what?!)

The trailer is a great pitch of what Artifact is: a mix between the day-to-day legal battle Thirty Second to Mars had to fight for two years (TWO YEARS!) with a giant machine, interviews from other musicians and experts about the state of the music industry and what happens behind closed doors, and the creative journey as the band tries to make a new album in the midst of total chaos.

This triangle makes for a fascinating documentary. I am not familiar with the group’s music but that isn’t the point of Artifact. It is truly about the massive clash artists can find themselves into, torn between their desire to create at all costs and to find a way to survive our western society’s first rule: money first, humans second. If you’re into music, and/or anything related to the creative process, this is for you.

One last note: if you’ve ever felt like David vs. Goliath, in total darkness, at the edge of a cliff, and wondering how you’ll survive landing if you jump, you’ll also relate to this journey.

Amazon link

Cutie and the Boxer (2013)

– directed by Zachary Heinzerling –

I had no idea what I was getting into when I watched this Oscar Nominated Documentary, and I’m glad it happened that way. Another human tale, beautifully filmed. What do you do when you’re in a relationship and both are artists? But one is much younger? (And a woman) This story has stayed with me long after I’ve watched it. Art and relationships are very common but rarely told. Or post-mortem. This one is a precious exception.

I loved both the story and Heinzerling’s decision to go for a more cinematic approach, finding just the right balance between a cinema verité style and artistic choices to enhance the story.

Amazon link

The Punk Singer (2013)

– directed by Sini Anderson-

Another documentary directed and edited with artistic intelligence, as every choices enhance or complement the story. The Punk Singer tells the little-known story of Kathleen Hanna, an artist, activist, musician, and cultural icon who brutally quit singing without anyone really knowing why up until that documentary came out.

I love music documentaries and was really inspired by The Punk Singer. I learned a lot not only about Hanna but also about a recent and important slice of music’s history. When it came out, I recommended it to many people and I clearly remember a female friend watching it and telling me: “Yeah you know, I am not a femminist so I didn’t really connect with it.” Five years later (and after all the shitstorm that has been building up and exploding), this same friend went through a whole journey and realized that feminism is not an insult and actually pretty damn important. And it all started with this documentary. That’s how powerful a good documentary can be.

Amazon link

We Cause Scenes (2013)

– directed by Matt Adams-

This documentary made me smile. It made me happy and made me want to ‘do stuff’, and those are feelings that I always want to share. It retraces the story of Improv Everywhere, a New York City-based prank collective and its founder, Charlie Todd.

It only takes the trailer to understand how much people crave for inspiration, excitement, experience, and creative thinking. This is a documentary about taking risks, daring together and loving what you do. Save it for a day you need empowerment.

Amazon link

Finding Vivian Maier (2013)

-directed by John Maloof-

I’ve been wanting to watch Finding Vivian Maier from the day I heard about this documentary, and for a long time it evaded me. I finally watched it this month and despite the long build-up, my high expectations were met. Not because the documentary in itself is particularly groundbreaking in terms of narration (this is not Stories We Tell), but because the story is absolutely fascinating.

Finding Vivian Maier tells the surreal story of John Maloof, the director and narrator of this film, who bought a box of negatives in an auction with the hope of finding good illustrations for one of his project, and ended up discovering the astonishing work of Vivian Maier, a nanny who took over 150,000 photos over the years, but never showed them to anyone. The documentary is a quest to finding who Vivian Maier was, as well as trying to legitimate a body of work recognized by thousands now as admirable, but still ignored by high institutions (understand Museums and Galleries)

It’s a fascinating window into the world of creation, loneliness, aging and obsession (from both Maier and Maloof). If you liked Bill Cunningham New York, there is no doubt you’ll love this one. Also, it’s short-listed by the Academy as a contender for Best Documentary.

Update: I recommend you to listen to this podcast after watching the documentary. It will open a whole new window and lecture on what you just watched.

Amazon link

Seymour, an Introduction (2014)

– directed by Ethan Hawke-

This documentary is a pearl. It touched me in surprising ways and if you have any interest in piano, music in general, creativity, and human wisdom, it should resonate with you too.

Seymour Bernstein is an American pianist that was known as a great performer and who decided, at age 50, to play his farewell concert, leave the public stage and focus on composing and teaching. 30 years later, he meets with American actor Ethan Hawke at a dinner party. The later was battling with stage fright and wondering why he was doing what he was doing.

The two men talked and from this first casual conversation a documentary was born, following Seymour, a man who has dedicated his life not only to piano, but also to inner growth, transmission, and kindness.

There is a great sobriety in this documentary’s narrative; the cuts are few, the movements almost inexistent, the music is diegetic, and it works like a charm. Hawke filmed his subject with great respect and love, and it shows.

Amazon link

Carmen Herrera, the 100 Year Show (2015)

– directed by Alison Klayman-

Another must-see for creatives. This short docu (I personally don’t get why it’s not a feature and find it almost insulting) focuses on Carmen Herrera, a painter who got discovered in her 80s. She is now 100.

What that means is that for 60 years, Herrera painted and stocked her paintings that nobody bought, that never got exposed, and for 60 years she got zero recognition. Sure, she does now, but that’s not the point. The point is that she never stopped. She couldn’t stop. An absolute must if you’ve experienced discouragement and doubted yourself.

Then let’s make a petition to get a feature!

Netflix link

What Happened Miss Simone (2015)

– directed by Liz Garbus –

“What Happened Miss Simone” is not the first documentary about Nina Simone, but it’s the first one I watch about the life of the artist and I was deeply moved by the consuming and unlikely trajectory Simone had.

I always find it inspiring to see gifted people find a way to express themselves and heartbreaking to see yet another talented artist kept down and low because of her gender and race. It forces you to wonder about the generations of grandmothers and great-grandmothers who lived and died, their potential hidden from all or simply dismissed.

This documentary is a powerful watch. If you’re into music, don’t hesitate. If you think art is a political act, it’s a must.

Netflix link

Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously (2016)

– directed by Patrick Meaney-

Neil Gaiman: Dream Dangerously is a documentary that follows Neil Gaiman during his last signing tour ever. Over two decades, Gaiman has become an icon and a star-writer, embracing the new tools to communicate with his fan-base all the while creating stories on a diversity of medium, from comics, to novels, to children books, to TV series etc.

The documentary, that is produced by Respect Films, who was also behind She Makes Comics, shares the same flavour: it has a DIY feel, with little means -the sound is not its strongest suit- but just like its sister documentary, its topic is interesting enough, and well covered enough that it makes up for the rest.

Gaiman is a fascinating character, with a story that belongs to his time: a desire to become a writer at 21, a necessity to feed his kids that pushed him to be a hustler, and a talent for imagining what nobody else did.

The last signing tour sessions, that see Gaiman signing thousands of copies over 8 or 9 hour sessions for months intercuts small chapters that shed light on his origin story and his evolution.

More hours should be dedicated to the man if he ever wanted to go deeper within his life, but this documentary finds a nice balance between personal and ‘professional’, giving enough background so that we understand Gaiman’s journey without mentioning much about his family and personal life.

Even his story with Amanda Palmer, that has been under the public eye from the get go, has the space it needs to make the story about Gaiman move forward. I pre-ordered the documentary that is, in my knowledge, only available on vimeo on demand (but I might be wrong) and felt inspired and re-energized by the end of it.

Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond (2017)

– directed by Chris Smith-

The most recent documentary I’ve watched and that made it to the list, although I can’t say I had much time to process it and see if it will actually stay in my head, but I’m deciding that yes.Jim Carrey got a crew to follow him during the shooting of Man on the Moon, Milos Forman’s film about Andy Kauffman. Carrey went full method and dumped his personality to fully embody Kauffman, pushing the envelope as far as he could. The tapes stayed in a drawer for 20 years and are now out, intercut with Carrey’s feelings about the whole process. It’s an interesting piece on Carrey and on how much free-pass a white male A-list actor can get. A lot of topics are kept under control -Carrey had a kid, you have to wonder how you can parent a child when you spend weeks behaving like someone else, and nobody else but Carrey got to tell their take on what happened then. Probably because his unilateral decision to push the envelope destroyed and affected too many people on the way.

Jim Carrey got a crew to follow him during the shooting of Man on the Moon, Milos Forman’s film about Andy Kauffman. Carrey went full method and dumped his personality to fully embody Kauffman, pushing the envelope as far as he could. The tapes stayed in a drawer for 20 years and are now out, intercut with Carrey’s feelings about the whole process. It’s an interesting piece on Carrey and on how much free-pass a white male A-list actor can get. A lot of topics are kept under control -Carrey had a kid, you have to wonder how you can parent a child when you spend weeks behaving like someone else, and nobody else but Carrey got to tell their take on what happened then. Probably because his unilateral decision to push the envelope destroyed and affected too many people on the way.

There’s a dozen different interpretations possible for this documentary and the laziest one, probably the one they hope for, is to see how much of a wise man Carrey has become. I’ve grown tired of redemption pieces by men who went too far for their toxic curiosity, never paying the real bill and still milking their trajectory, but I see this documentary as a very good mirror of our creative society where the mad genius is given free passes, “good” art is linked to lack of balance, and you can drop as many moral standards as you want as long as you bring back millions. And yes, along the way Carrey says some inspiring things.

If you want to have fun: imagine if an actress had done that. How long until she got fired and blacklisted?

Netflix link