Films to Teach About Film
“Living in Oblivion”, 1994
Director: Tom DiCillo
A comedic yet insightful take on the challenges of independent filmmaking. Directed by Tom DiCillo, it portrays the myriad problems a director faces during a single day of shooting a low-budget film. This film is a masterclass in indie film production, warts and all.
Starring: Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney, Danielle von Zerneck, James LeGros, Rica Martens, Peter Dinklage, Kevin Corrigan, Hilary Gilford, Robert Wightman;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Living in Oblivion” on the website imdb.com
“Ed Wood”, 1994
Director: Tim Burton
Directed by Tim Burton, this film is a biographical comedy-drama that pays tribute to Edward D. Wood Jr., known as one of the worst directors in Hollywood history. It's a heartwarming look at filmmaking from the perspective of an eternal optimist who never let the lack of quality stop his creative endeavors.
Starring: Johnny Depp, Martin Landau, Sarah Jessica Parker, Patricia Arquette, Jeffrey Jones, Bill Murray, Mike Starr, G.D. Spradlin, George «The Animal» Steele, Lisa Marie;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama, comedy, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “Ed Wood” on the website imdb.com
“The Player”, 1992
Director: Robert Altman
Robert Altman's satirical take on Hollywood's film industry offers a critical look at the studio system, through the eyes of a movie executive who gets away with murder. It's filled with insider jokes and cameos, providing a cynically entertaining look at the machinations behind the screen.
Starring: Tim Robbins, Greta Scacchi, Fred Ward, Whoopi Goldberg, Peter Gallagher, Brion James, Cynthia Stevenson, Vincent D'Onofrio, Dean Stockwell, Richard E. Grant;
Production year: 1992;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Player” on the website imdb.com
“Day for Night”, 2018
Director: Kaveh Ebrahimpour
Directed by François Truffaut, this French film is another quintessential movie about making movies. It presents a light-hearted yet realistic portrayal of the process behind filmmaking, including the personal and professional challenges faced by cast and crew.
Starring: Anahita Afshar, Saeed Zarei;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: short film;
Duration: 27 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
More information about the film “Day for Night” on the website imdb.com
“Shadow of the Vampire”, 2000
Director: E. Elias Merhige
A unique take on the making of the classic film “Nosferatu,” this movie blends historical fiction with the real-life tale of its production. Directed by E. Elias Merhige, it speculates humorously about the method acting of Max Schreck, who played the vampire, suggesting he was indeed a real vampire.
Starring: John Malkovich, Willem Dafoe, Udo Kier, Cary Elwes, Catherine McCormack, Eddie Izzard, Ronan Vibert, Aden Gillett, Nicholas Elliott, Sophie Langevin;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: horror, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 95 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,9;
More information about the film “Shadow of the Vampire” on the website imdb.com
“Singin' in the Rain”, 1951
Director: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
This classic musical, directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen, is not just an entertaining spectacle but also a humorous and insightful look at Hollywood's transition from silent films to talkies. It highlights the technical and artistic challenges of this significant period in film history.
Starring: Gene Kelly, Donald O'Connor, Debbie Reynolds, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell, Cyd Charisse, Douglas Fowley, Rita Moreno, Dawn Addams, John Albright;
Production year: 1951;
Genre: musical, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: g;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,3;
More information about the film “Singin' in the Rain” on the website imdb.com
“The Disaster Artist”, 2017
Director: James Franco
Directed by and starring James Franco, this comedy-drama tells the real-life story of the making of “The Room,” often celebrated as the “Citizen Kane” of bad movies. It's a fascinating study of ambition, friendship, and the sheer unpredictability of viral success in cinema.
Starring: James Franco, Dave Franco, Seth Rogen, Ari Graynor, Alison Brie, Jacki Weaver, Paul Scheer, Zac Efron, Josh Hutcherson, June Diane Raphael;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: comedy, biography, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Disaster Artist” on the website imdb.com
These films, each in their unique way, offer a window into the art and craft of filmmaking, providing entertainment, education, and inspiration for film lovers and creators alike.
Concluding our exploration of films to teach about film, it is evident that the medium of cinema possesses the profound capability to illuminate its own intricacies, blending the educational with the entertaining. From the technical mastery exhibited in “Citizen Kane” to the innovative storytelling of “Pulp Fiction,” these films serve not only as seminal pieces of cinematic history but also as quintessential textbooks, offering invaluable insights into the art of filmmaking. They challenge, inspire, and educate those who seek to understand or partake in the craft of cinema. As students and enthusiasts dissect these films, they engage with a rich tapestry of visual language, narrative structure, and directorial vision, gaining perspectives that transcend the classroom. Thus, through the lens of these pivotal works, the journey into film becomes a multifaceted experience of learning, appreciation, and, most importantly, an ongoing conversation between the past, present, and future of filmmaking.
