Documentaries are one of the most versatile genres of movies and television,as they can tackle any subject and play with form in order to best communicate their stories. In recent years, thebest true crime documentarieshave contributed greatly to the success and popularity of the documentary format. While these music biopics rarely have the shock and gore of true crime, they have their fair share of tragedy. The filmmakers behind these projects do their best to be honest about the struggles and pitfalls of the subjects of their documentaries.
Unlike thebest music biopics, music documentaries attempt to capture the realism and the elements that came together for these musicians and bands to create such songs. While the backstories of the individuals involved will often be discussed, the impact of the industry and the genius behind their artistry is of equal importance. Often,music documentaries touch upon the most famous contributors to the music industry.However, there are also some fantastic films that incorporate lesser-known individuals who have been instrumental in the development and innovation of different styles and genres.
The Last Waltz
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The Last Waltz is a concert film directed by Martin Scorsese, documenting the farewell performance of The Band on Thanksgiving Day, 1976. Featuring performances with Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, and Joni Mitchell, the film intertwines concert footage with interviews, capturing the essence of a milestone in rock history.
Concert films are a genre that’s been gaining traction in recent yearssince artists are incorporating more spectacle into their performances and want their work to reach the largest possible audience base. However, the early years of the concert film were less about pageantry and more about showcasing the work of incredible musicians.The Last Waltzis a great example of how the genre has evolved and how early festivals like the one it portrays brought together amazing musicians to perform for the sake of the music.
Consistently praised for its expert camerawork and cinematography,The Last Waltzcaptures an era many viewers are nostalgic for.
As the director ofThe Last Waltzand many other iconic music documentaries,Martin Scorsese also appears in theBeatles ‘64documentarydue to his work on past projects concerning iconic bands of the height of rock and roll.Primarily focusing on The Band, the group that put on the concert,The Last Waltzalso features performers like Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, and many more. Consistently praised for its expert camerawork and cinematography,The Last Waltzcaptures an era many viewers are nostalgic for.
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20 Feet from Stardom
20 Feet from Stardom is a 2013 documentary that explores the untold stories of backup singers who have enhanced popular music with their voices. The film delves into the personal lives and careers of these talented artists who contribute depth and harmony to major performances yet remain out of the spotlight.
While the lead singers and iconic composers are typically the core focus of music documentaries,20 Feet From Stardomflips the script and shines a light on overlooked performers.Backup singers are a vital part of live performance,delivering supporting vocals necessary for the depth and intricacies of the songs.20 Feet From Stardomcompiles an enormous catalog of interviews with career backup singers, getting their perspective on their work and touching upon how the music industry would be unrecognizable without them.
One of the most popular music documentaries in recent years,20 Feet From Stardomwon Best Documentary Feature at the Academy Awards,as well as a host of other accolades throughout its festival run and awards season.20 Feet From Stardomchallenges the concept of celebrity and that music must be something that leads to extreme fame. Though backup singers deserve more recognition, many of the subjects of the film are satisfied with their work and are thrilled to be part of making music in any form.
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Coachella is one of the most famous contemporary music festivals. InHomecoming, Beyoncé grapples with the size and scale of her incredible performance as well as the fact that she was the first Black woman to headline the festival. Co-directed by Beyoncé and providing an intimate insight into her creative process,Homecomingis a treat for longtime fans of the artist but is also an incredibly entertaining sight to behold for any viewer.Throughout the performance, Beyoncé incorporates iconic aspects of Black American culture, shown in her inclusion of a step show.
It’s immensely clear, even through the screen, that witnessing Beyoncé perform at Coachella was a transcendent experience for the audience.
Beyoncé’sRenaissancemovie, which was released in 2023, is similarly gripping and boundary-pushing. However,Homecomingis consistently cited as one of the best modern concert films, as well as one of the best ever made. It’s immensely clear, even through the screen, that witnessing Beyoncé perform at Coachella was a transcendent experience for the audience. Also touching upon the legacy and influence of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncéis a pinnacle of Beyoncé’s importance as a performer and cultural icon.
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The Decline of Western Civilization
The Decline of Western Civilization is a documentary film directed by Penelope Spheeris, exploring the Los Angeles punk music scene in 1980. It features performances and interviews with bands such as Black Flag, Fear, Germs, X, and others, providing insight into the era’s cultural and musical landscape.
Punk is an often-explored music genre in film thanks to its extreme influence and bombastic performancesthat lend themselves to being captured onscreen. InThe Decline of Western Civilization, the director, Penelope Spheeris, the story looks at the intersection between the underground punk subculture of Los Angeles in the late 1970s and early 1980s and the dichotomy of the city itself. Since punk itself was scorned by mainstream media, it’s unsurprising thatThe Decline of Western Civilizationwas considered shocking to many audiences in the ’80s.
The first part in a trilogy,The Decline of Western Civilization, focuses primarily on punk rock, with the second and third installments touching upon heavy metal and the experiences of un-housed teens in the punk scene in Los Angeles.Spheeris’s style of filmmaking lends itself perfectly to the grit, nihilism, and extremity of punk,creating a cohesive and immersive exploration of the iconic scene. Though later movements attempted to capture this period, no other subculture came close to harnessing the untamed nature of punk.
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Woodstock
Woodstock is a documentary that captures the historic 1969 music festival held in Bethel, New York. Featuring performances by iconic musicians and candid interviews with attendees, the film offers a vivid portrayal of the counterculture movement and the era’s quintessential spirit of peace, music, and social change. This film serves as both a cultural artifact and a comprehensive chronicle of one of the most significant events in music history.
Possibly the most famous music festival of all time, it comes as no surprise that Woodstock has been featured in plenty of documentaries and fictional films. However,the 1970 documentaryWoodstockis the definitive exploration of the festival thanks to its immediacyand connection to the counter-cultural movement. Capturing a moment in time that can never be recreated,Woodstocksees some of the most iconic musicians of all time descend on the festival and change the course of music forever.
Woodstockmakes sure to include the most important performances of the festival and encapsulate the indescribable atmosphere.
While singing the praises of the film and the event itself might sound overzealous, it’s difficult to oversellWoodstockand the feeling that history is being made in front of you while watching it.Woodstockmakes sure to include the most important performances of the festival and encapsulate the indescribable atmosphere. Of course,it’s the performances that have madeWoodstockremain so relevant in the cultural conversation,but the artistry of capturing them on film should not be overlooked.
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Also directed by Scorsese,George Harrison: Living In The Material Worldisn’t a standard take on The Beatlesthat sings their praises and ends at the band’s breakup. Instead, it’s an in-depth and vivid portrait of a man and his storied life that just so happens to include being part of a revolutionary music group. George Harrison’s rise to fame and life outside The Beatles is brought to the forefront of Scorsese’s lengthy project. At three and a half hours long, the documentary is thorough but perfectly paced.
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Of course,George Harrison: Living In The Material Worldis far from the last film project that touches upon the members of The Beatles.Barry Keoghan was cast as Ringo Starr in the upcoming Beatles moviedirected by Sam Mendes. This film has been the source of heated debate, especially when it comes to who should star as the iconic members of the band. While it will be interesting to see fictionalized accounts of each musician’s life,having such a gorgeous depiction of one of them is a wonder of filmmaking.
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Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)
Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) is a documentary film about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. It highlights the significance of this music festival in celebrating African American culture, showcasing unseen footage of performances that remained hidden for decades.
In his directorial debut, Questlove tackles a beautiful and poignant part of music history and creates an unforgettable film that every music lover should watch. With amazing use of restored archival footage,Summer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised)follows the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.WhileSummer of Soultouches upon the fantastic performers present, like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder, as well as the experiences of the attendees, the documentary doesn’t stop at its celebration of the music.
Receiving numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, this film was a huge step forward for the future of documentary filmmaking.
In conversation with how the Harlem Cultural Festival is not as well known as its contemporaries within music festivals, particularly Woodstock,Summer of Soullooks at the intersection between these facts and the Black American experience. Thanks toSummer of Soul (…Or, When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised),this pivotal and rich piece of history will never be forgotten,and amazing performances are now at audiences’ fingertips to engage with. Receiving numerous awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at Sundance, this film was a huge step forward for the future of documentary filmmaking.
Summer of Soul (2021)
Gimme Shelter
Gimme Shelter is a poignant drama that follows a pregnant teenager, portrayed by Vanessa Hudgens, as she escapes her abusive mother and seeks refuge. The film explores themes of survival and resilience, highlighting the challenges faced by at-risk youth and the power of compassion through the support of a shelter run by a compassionate woman played by Rosario Dawson.
The fact thatGimme Shelterand the infamous performance from The Rolling Stones at Altamont Speedway was captured on film is one of those unforgettable moments in music and cinema. Though the film and performance skyrocketed to fame thanks to the tragic violence that unfolded at the concert, it was due to circumstance that Maysles and Zwerin’s team caught footage of the stabbing and found a way to use it asa metaphor for the devolution of the counterculture movement and heralded the coming turbulence of the ’70s.
Gimme Shelterattempts to be as unobtrusive as possible, with the directors taking on the role of a fly on the wall to let The Rolling Stones be themselves instead of performing for the cameras. With additional footage from the other times the crew was on the road with The Stones,Gimme Sheltertransformed into one of the greatest contributions to music cinema of this time, which was a tall order. With all its cultural clashes and hedonism,Gimme Sheltermanages to give an intimate insight into the dynamic of a world-famous band.
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Stop Making Sense
Stop Making Sense is a concert film capturing Talking Heads during their 1983 tour for the album Speaking in Tongues. The performance unfolds with the band members arriving on stage individually, joined by guest musicians, and features an array of choreography and visuals throughout the show.
David Byrne’s experimentation, artistry, and incredibly live performances are all instrumental parts of what has made the Talking Heads one of the most celebrated bands of the 20th century. Thanks toStop Making Sense, contemporary fans get a glimpse into the atmosphere at one of the bands' concerts.Most viewers will be hard-pressed not to get up and dance along with the musicians onstage,as their magnetic energy is easily felt through the screen. Though the audience is rarely seen inStop Making Sense, their enjoyment and the way their reactions fuel the band is obvious.
Full of humor, fun, and energy,Stop Making Sensepresents a group at the height of its power and popularity, and what this looks like when it’s filled with joy.
WhileStop Making Senseis a concert film, it also demonstrates why the Talking Heads were at the forefront of a cultural movement and why their music still speaks so deeply to generations of fans.Some of the Talking Heads' greatest hits can be heard inStop Making Sense,from “Psycho Killer” to “Burning Down The House.” Full of humor, fun, and energy,Stop Making Sensepresents a group at the height of its power and popularity, and what this looks like when it’s filled with joy.
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Don’t Look Back
Don’t Look Back is a 1967 documentary film directed by D. A. Pennebaker. It chronicles Bob Dylan’s 1965 concert tour in England, providing an unfiltered look into the life of the artist. The film captures candid moments with Dylan, as well as interactions with fans, journalists, and fellow musicians, offering a unique behind-the-scenes perspective on the iconic singer-songwriter during a pivotal moment in his career.
Bob Dylan has been at the forefront of cultural conversation once again with the upcoming biopicA Complete Unknownstarring Timothée Chalamet as Dylan, slated to release December 25th, 2024. There’s a reason why the biopic is so highly anticipated. Dylan’s life, music, and relationships have long been a source of conversation in both the music and film industries. However, in 1967,audiences got one of the most intimate possible looks into Dylan’s early life and careerthanks toBob Dylan: Don’t Look Back.
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D. A. Pennebaker follows Dylan during his 1965 tour of England and has access to Dylan and his rise to fame that neither Pennebaker nor Dylan could know would become so important. It’s not a stretch to say that every documentary that came afterDon’t Look Backattempted to recapture this magic and realism, but few come close to the truth that is laid bare by the project. Painting Dylan as the complex and imperfect figure he will always be,Bob Dylan: Don’t Look Backclearly understands that a legend in the making is being immortalized.
