10 Movies That Were Shot In Secret

1. This Is Not a Film

New Predator Movie Dan Trachtenberg
Kanibal Films Distribution

And last but certainly not least, we have by far the most noble shot-in-secret film on this list - legendary Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi's 2011 documentary This Is Not a Film.

The doc revolves around Panahi being placed under house arrest and banned from filmmaking for 20 years, due to the Iranian government perceiving him as creating anti-regime propaganda.

Aided by co-director Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, This Is Not a Film consists of self-shot footage of Panahi becoming paranoid and unsettled in the confines of his apartment, while reflecting on his career and appealing his sentence. 

In order to avoid attracting attention, production was completed in total secrecy.

It's a fascinatingly meta meditation on filmmaking itself, and even once production was finished, a copy of the film had to be smuggled out of Iran to France for its Cannes Film Festival premiere in a birthday cake.

Panahi's film ultimately released to rave reviews, and since its release Panahi has produced several other movies in secret, defying the government's ban on his artistic liberty.

 
Posted On: 
Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.