Often categorized as meta-fiction, fiction which details the process of its own medium, films about filmmaking have long provided viewers with a closer look at the process of movie creation, whilst still providing an entertaining and/or moving story. Considering their contents, films about filmmaking also tend to excel with film critics and at awards shows, especially the Oscars.
With this last year providing two of the best films to explore the process of filmmaking in recent memory, we wanted to explore other modern classics that dive into the process of making movies. They don’t all have to provide extreme insights or gush over their love of cinema, as long as they’re set around the filmmaking process they’re eligible for this list.
The Fabelmans (2022)
The film that has inspired this list, and a perfect modern example of meta-fiction dominating during awards season. Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans is currently nominated for 7 awards at this weekend’s Oscars and was also nominated for Best Original Screenplay at this year’s BAFTAs.
Starring Michelle Williams (My Week With Marylin) and Paul Damo (The Batman), The Fabelmans follows Sammy Fabelman who aspires to become a filmmaker during his adolescence but soon discovers a shattering family secret. The film features stellar performances from the whole cast, a moving story, and truly highlights the beauty of cinema and its effect on people.
The Disaster Artist (2017)
Moving away from the serious self-reflective tone of a lot of meta-fiction, The Disaster Artist shows how hilariously frustrating working on a film set can be.
Based on the book by Tom Bissel, The Disaster Artist is a fictional retelling of the making of The Room (2003), the cult-classic film and king of the ‘So Bad It’s Good’ genre of cinema. Bissel played Mark in the original film and went on to write the book about working with the unintentionally hilarious Tommy Wiseau. The Disaster Artist is directed by James Franco (127 Hours) who also stars in the film as Tommy Wiseau. The Disaster Artist is a must-watch for anyone who loves cult cinema and was also nominated for an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2018.
Empire of Light (2022)
The other film that inspired this list, Empire of Light explores the importance of cinema in our lives, and how they help shape us as people. Directed by Sam Mendes (1917), Empire of Light has also earned legendary cinematographer Roger Deakins his 19th Oscar nomination!
Starring Olivia Coleman (The Crown) and Michael Award (Top Boy), alongside Colin Firth (Kingsman) and Toby Jones (The Detectorists), Empire of Light is about the manager of a small cinema in a small English fishing town who, whilst struggling with her mental health, forms a relationship with a new employee. The film has received outstanding reviews from critics and audiences and is by far one of the best films of 2022.
Inglorious Basterds (2009)
Containing one of the most tense opening scenes in cinema history, Inglorious Basterds is a war film on the surface, but peel back the layers and you have a film that explores the political power of cinema.
Starring Brad Pitt (Moneyball) and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) – who won an Academy Award for his performance in the film – Inglorious Basterds follows Brad Pitt’s band of Jewish soldiers on their plan to infiltrate Nazi Germany and assassinate Hitler. While it sounds campy on the surface, at its heart, Inglorious Basterds is about the appropriation of European Cinema as propaganda during the Second World War and the revenge of one cinema lover with a personal vendetta against Waltz’s Col. Hans Landa.
Tropic Thunder (2008)
By far one of Ben Stiller’s best comedies, Tropic Thunder takes the comedic approach towards Hollywood filmmaking and caricatures the extreme lengths directors and actors will go to for ‘art’. The film also earned Robert Downy Jr. an Oscar nomination for his role as extremist actor Kirk Lazarus.
With an outstanding comedic cast including Jack Black (School of Rock), Steve Coogan (Alan Partridge), Danny McBride (Pineapple Express), Bill Hader (Barry) and a surprisingly hilarious performance by Tom Cruise (Top Gun), Tropic Thunder is a laugh out loud comedy from start to finish, constantly mocking the pretentiousness of individuals in the film industry.
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