10 Inspiring Documentaries That Could Change Your Life
1. F For Fake
More
of a video essay than a documentary, F for Fake weaves together several
different stories in order to examine the role of art within a modernised society.
Focusing primarily on the life of professional art forger, Elmyr de Hory, the
documentary showcases the careers of hoax-biographer Clifford Irving, Howard
Hughes and the Croatian actress Oja Kodar.
Staring, written and directed by Orson Welles, this is a must see for anyone interested in the finer points of filmmaking. Though the documentary is somewhat ambiguous about its own subject matter, it’s ultimately a story about the relationship between art and the artist, which is portrayed as somewhat tumultuous and unyielding.
That said, the documentary is equally inspiring for anyone wishing to explore a career in creative writing or painting. Welles’ enthusiasm is contagious and the energy evident throughout the film will keep pretty anyone invested. In this respect, it’s like watching a magic show, only one about painting, authorship and the legitimacy of artistic forgery.