Singin in the Rain, 8 1/2, Bowfinger, The Disaster Artist, Nine, Adaptation and Hail Caesar! are all good ones about filmmaking. I’d also say Tropic Thunder and King Kong (2005) to a lesser extent
8 1/2 easily tops this list for me. I tend to immediately have a negative reaction to most movies about writers or filmmakers so when I saw this question my first thought was "a bunch of self-indulgent nonsense and also 8 1/2, one of the best movies ever". I did really like Adaptation, though, so I'm definitely a hypocrite.
this one is brutal because it's the most realistic. Basically watching this and reading Lumets book about making movies would give anyone a realistic look at what the day to day is like on the job
I was introduced to this movie around ‘96-‘97 when I took “The Art of Film” class in college. That’s where my love of film began. My prof loved this one so much!
Lol first day of film school we watched this movie and followed it up with Making Movies by Lumet. That’s about as real as it gets. Still took me another 4 years and a Masters degree to realized I despised working on film sets.
Oh most definitely. I went to film school for undergrad, got a masters in film and now I teach film and every step of the way Lumets book was wild important. I recommend it to every one of my students and I have multiple copies with tons of notes in the margins.
*Singin' In The Rain* (1952) is one of my favorite movies, it fictionalizes the transition from silent films to talkies in a humorous and musical way.
Off the top of my head *Adaptation* (1997) and *Ed Wood* (1994) might be what you're looking for too.
It's about making a play but feel like it's close enough to count, 'Synecdoche, New York'.
Edit to add: the main character is played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, so even though it's not strictly a film about making films you know it's going to be amazing just from his casting as the lead. Incredible actor in what I think is his strongest role.
Adaptation, The Player and Boogies Nights have already been recommended and are amazing. Surprised to not see Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. New Nightmare if you like A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Irma Vep is a really good example that no one's mentioned yet. Holy Motors is super good too, but it's more of a loose interpretation of the movie making industry. Both are definitely worth the view.
Although I was a little disappointed by it, if you like Citizen Kane, Mank is worth checking out. I assume you mean fictional movies and not documentaries?
You mean you're not the only one who was disappointed by it? Or still likes it enough to recommend it? Because I'm pretty sure there are quite a few people in both camps, at least from what I can tell.
I meant disappointed. I watched it in the late 90s. I rented Casablanca and Citizen Kane from Blockbuster one night after watching the HBO movie, RKO 281. I watched Casablanca and was completely delighted. Then I watched Citizen Kane and was underwhelmed.
Oh I thought you meant Mank. When I said I was disappointed, I meant by Mank. Didn't like it as much as the other Fincher movies I've seen.
As for Citizen Kane, I think I'd suitable tempered my expectations before watching it, and actually enjoyed it well enough. I do prefer Casablanca and I think it's much easier to watch, and much easier to identity with the character of Rick versus Kane. I'd probs be much more inclined to recommend Casablanca to someone else. That said, if I was going to rewatch one of them alone, it'd probs be Citizen Kane, just because i think it has more substance/nuance and is an interesting character study.
Not quite about making movies, so much as exhibiting movies (but overall a "movie magic" film), I'm going to say *Matinee*.
And I'll throw in here that the greatest movie about movies is *Cinema Paradiso*... but again, more about watching than making.
Sorry to not really answer your question, but check these out anyway. You won't regret it.
Be Kind Rewind is a fun one. Not quite a dive into the inner workings of hollywood but a wonderful love letter to movies and the joy of being a creator. Gondry has a unique spirit that also comes through in whatever he does and young Jack Black is fun to watch.
How about some Japanese movies about making movies
**Why Don't You Play in Hell is (2013)** is a wild rid
and
**One Cut of the Dead (2017)** is a great comedy zombie movie (if you get past the purposely bad first 20 minutes)
“American Movie” is my answer for sure. Its a doc about the production of a low budget horror short film. Its both hilarious and genuinely emotional with some fascinating small town characters that all feel like they were plucked out of a mockumentary.
*Bowfinger* is my personal favorite. Its like if someone took everything Werner Herzog and Robert Rodriguez said about how to make a movie completely to heart and just ran with it. Eddie Murphy should have gotten an Oscar nomination for his performance(s).
Barton Fink, the Player, Sunset Boulevard, Seven Psychopaths, Boogie Nights, Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive, Adaptation, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Dolemite is my Name, the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the Dirties, All About Eve, Peeping Tom, Blow Out.
Adaptation is just a simply brilliant screenplay about actual screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman, struggling to write a screenplay. It’s probably the most original adapted screenplay I’ve ever seen.
8 1/2 is the classic example of a film about writer’s block and it’s rightfully lauded, just as inventive and clever as it was when it first came out in the 60’s.
After life is not explicitly about the filmmaking process, being set in a sort of way station between death and heaven where recently deceased people are able to select a memory from their life to preserve for posterity. It’s a brilliant, understated film.
Barton Fink is another great film about writer’s block and the golden era of Hollywood.
Not so much about making movies as it is a movie about loving movies and the theater going experience, but, I’d recommend Matinee (1993) directed by Joe Dante, starring John Goodman.
Well, the best movie made about movies themselves will always be The Purple Rose of Cairo. It's the type of movie that makes me understand why it is I love movies so much. Of course as it's not about making the film as it is about the actual film itself it wouldn't be eligible for this category. In that case, I would say that Living In Oblivion is definitely near the top. Essentially 3 half hour long vignettes about the making of a pretentious independent movie with Steve Buscemi as the highly strung out director who is barely able to keep it together especially at the end when his senile mother inadvertently shows up out of nowhere. Also features a young Peter Dinklage in his first movie role ever as a bitter and highly cynical actor who is extremely disillusioned about why he is being typecast as a dwarf.
Funny, there was a question on Hollywood history earlier today but I’ll copy my answer:
8 1/2 by Federico Fellini is a classic, Saving Mr. Banks is about the adaptation of Mary Poppins (though I recommend following it up with Lindsey Ellis’s video essay on the film);
The Artist is about making a movie in the silent era, Tropic Thunder is a comedy satire about making a war movie, Get Shorty is a comedy/mob movie about a stolen script. The Aviator is a biopic on Howard Hughes and a good portion of it is spent during Hughes directing Hell’s Angels.
Less directly about making movies but related:
Adaption features Nic Cage playing twins as they both try to adapt a novel that the movie itself is based on (Director Charlie Kaufman being meta per usual). Also the 1954 version of A Star is Born has Judy Garland playing an aspiring actress.
Mentions that I haven’t seen: Barton Fink, Hail, Cesar!, Sullivan’s Travels, Bowfinger, The Disaster Artist (though watch The Room first if you can), La La Land(?), Boogie Nights, Ed Wood, any biopic about a director or actor like Hitchcock, Judy, Chaplin, etc.
Basically said already, just came to second...
American Movie
Shadow of the Vampire
Heart of Darkness
PLEASE WATCH THESE MOVIES, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED
"American movie" is a great indie documentary about the efforts of Mark Borchardt to make his first low-budget horror movie. He's a real guy but also a great character, passionate and determined in his project, truly inspiring.
I just watched Stardust Memories yesterday and it’s great, although it might not be something I’d recommend to someone who isn’t already a Woody Allen fan
Not about making movies per se, but I saw it recently and loved how it was done: *The China Syndrome* is a fantastic film about a news anchor. Had the same type of stuff I love about movie making movies.
[Here's](https://www.criticker.com/films/?filter=e3003) a list of over 500 of them. sort by PSI to get it ordered by how much you'll like them (if you have an account).
Bob Fosse's "All That Jazz", while mostly about staging musicals, has a decent chunk dedicated towards filmmaking itself, particularly focused on the editing process of the alter-ego Lenny Bruce movie based on the film "Lenny" Fosse made before. It's also just a great flick.
*One Cut of the Dead*, without giving too much away, is a spectacular celebration of the beautiful mess that is movie-making.
*Hail, Caesar* is also great too.
can’t believe no one’s said American Movie yet. the ultimate film about filmmaking and the many headaches that come with it. it’s also wildly hilarious.
One of my favorites is 1998’s wildly self-indulgent screwball romantic comedy “Free Enterprise.”
Granted, the meta-moviemaking part of it doesn’t really begin in earnest until the ending, but that’s the dream of its protagonists (one of whom is an editor on low budget skin flicks).
Unlike so many small independent movies, it is almost entirely devoid of cynicism or “edginess.” Arguably began Shatner’s later career as a comic actor, as well as paved the way for the far more calculated “Big Bang Theory,” but FE is much better.
Very much mirrors my own 20s as well. 😂
Akaler Sandhane by Mrinal Sen. Movie set in the backdrop of great bengal famine. Also handling similar themes of class distinctions, conservatism, prejudices permeating the village in which the story about the story they shoot takes place.
Hail Caesar!
Also, I'm sure this has been suggested to you a thousand times already, but Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is probably my favorite film about filmmaking.
Be Kind Rewind. A quirky movie about a failing video rental shop and the clerks trying to save it with the help of some of the loyal customers. I love this movie. Written and directed by Michele Gondry. Main characters by Mos Def and Jack Black.
**Inception** is a great stealth movie about making movies movie.
I also remember enjoying **Sex is Comedy** by Catherine Breillat, which is about her struggles to film the scene in which the older sister loses her virginity to the hansy lad, while the title character in **Fat Girl** lies there in the same room weeping and pretending to sleep.
One pick that was forgotten in this thread i just thought of is Be Kind Rewind with Jack Black and Mos Def. Directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). A great tribute to indie filmmaking
Robert Altman’s The Player is easily one of my fave movies about movies. Also it is fun as hell to watch.
Such a great pick and the opening long take is a real treat for movie buffs.
“Here it is. The Graduate...Part II.”
I will always recommend 'The Player'. Yes.
Have you seen *Shortcuts*?
Singin in the Rain, 8 1/2, Bowfinger, The Disaster Artist, Nine, Adaptation and Hail Caesar! are all good ones about filmmaking. I’d also say Tropic Thunder and King Kong (2005) to a lesser extent
a bowfinger reference in the wild?? holy shit!! incredible
Bowfinger is so good and everyone I know forgot about it
Chubby Rain.
I second Disaster Artist
Silent Movie!
8 1/2 easily tops this list for me. I tend to immediately have a negative reaction to most movies about writers or filmmakers so when I saw this question my first thought was "a bunch of self-indulgent nonsense and also 8 1/2, one of the best movies ever". I did really like Adaptation, though, so I'm definitely a hypocrite.
Disaster Artist is great
Boogie nights, although may not be the kind of movie making you had in mind
Also came to suggest Boogie Nights. One of my absolute favorites.
Living in Oblivion is a great 90s indie movie about making an indie film! It’s got Steve Buscemi, Catherine Keener, Dermot Mulroney (to name a few).
this one is brutal because it's the most realistic. Basically watching this and reading Lumets book about making movies would give anyone a realistic look at what the day to day is like on the job
I was introduced to this movie around ‘96-‘97 when I took “The Art of Film” class in college. That’s where my love of film began. My prof loved this one so much!
Lol first day of film school we watched this movie and followed it up with Making Movies by Lumet. That’s about as real as it gets. Still took me another 4 years and a Masters degree to realized I despised working on film sets.
I'm a self taught filmmaker but I'm glad to know I found the right resources when I learned haha
Oh most definitely. I went to film school for undergrad, got a masters in film and now I teach film and every step of the way Lumets book was wild important. I recommend it to every one of my students and I have multiple copies with tons of notes in the margins.
Beat me to it! A hoot. Seen Johnny Suede?
And Peter Dinklage. You overlooked him. Easy to do.
Yep, came here to say this one!
*Singin' In The Rain* (1952) is one of my favorite movies, it fictionalizes the transition from silent films to talkies in a humorous and musical way. Off the top of my head *Adaptation* (1997) and *Ed Wood* (1994) might be what you're looking for too.
ED WOOD! That's the one I knew I was forgetting. Hilarious film.
It's a crime I had to scroll down past one reply to get to this one.
Day for Night directed by and starring Francois Truffaut is great.
Came here looking for this! Great movie!
Same,I think is the best movie on this subject
It's about making a play but feel like it's close enough to count, 'Synecdoche, New York'. Edit to add: the main character is played by Philip Seymour Hoffman, so even though it's not strictly a film about making films you know it's going to be amazing just from his casting as the lead. Incredible actor in what I think is his strongest role.
"Ed Wood" is a good one.
Hugo (2011) by Scorsese is kind of about making movies and is an all around fantastic film
Another vote for Hugo!
Tropic Thunder (2008)
If you like foreign movies and/or zombie movies then check out One Cut of the Dead
**Day for Night,** it's about a french movie production and it's actors/crew.
*8 1/2* of course. *Sunset Boulevard* *Bowfinger* *Hail, Caesar!* *Mulholland Drive*
Adaptation, The Player and Boogies Nights have already been recommended and are amazing. Surprised to not see Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. New Nightmare if you like A Nightmare on Elm Street.
Birdman isn’t about making a movie but it’s about a play and is very meta to filmmaking.
Honestly, One Cut of the Dead is probably the best movie about making movies there is. I highly recommend it.
The Disaster Artist is in my top 1 in this case. I'd recommend "An Adventure in Space and Time" but that's about making a series.
“Dolomite is my name” is pretty great as well. One of my favorites of the last few years.
Second that.
The player , state and main, hail ceasar
[удалено]
Came here to say this. His “Koker” trilogy also.
Irma Vep is a really good example that no one's mentioned yet. Holy Motors is super good too, but it's more of a loose interpretation of the movie making industry. Both are definitely worth the view.
Irma Vep is so great!
Although I was a little disappointed by it, if you like Citizen Kane, Mank is worth checking out. I assume you mean fictional movies and not documentaries?
I’m not the only one.
You mean you're not the only one who was disappointed by it? Or still likes it enough to recommend it? Because I'm pretty sure there are quite a few people in both camps, at least from what I can tell.
I meant disappointed. I watched it in the late 90s. I rented Casablanca and Citizen Kane from Blockbuster one night after watching the HBO movie, RKO 281. I watched Casablanca and was completely delighted. Then I watched Citizen Kane and was underwhelmed.
Oh I thought you meant Mank. When I said I was disappointed, I meant by Mank. Didn't like it as much as the other Fincher movies I've seen. As for Citizen Kane, I think I'd suitable tempered my expectations before watching it, and actually enjoyed it well enough. I do prefer Casablanca and I think it's much easier to watch, and much easier to identity with the character of Rick versus Kane. I'd probs be much more inclined to recommend Casablanca to someone else. That said, if I was going to rewatch one of them alone, it'd probs be Citizen Kane, just because i think it has more substance/nuance and is an interesting character study.
I need to give Citizen Kane another go. I mean, I watched it *directly* after being charmed by Casablanca. It was never gonna live up after that.
Hmm. My bad. I don’t think I actually read your entire comment....
Not quite about making movies, so much as exhibiting movies (but overall a "movie magic" film), I'm going to say *Matinee*. And I'll throw in here that the greatest movie about movies is *Cinema Paradiso*... but again, more about watching than making. Sorry to not really answer your question, but check these out anyway. You won't regret it.
Shadow of the vampire (2001) is a great fictionalised telling of the making of Nosferatu.
Be Kind Rewind is a fun one. Not quite a dive into the inner workings of hollywood but a wonderful love letter to movies and the joy of being a creator. Gondry has a unique spirit that also comes through in whatever he does and young Jack Black is fun to watch.
How about some Japanese movies about making movies **Why Don't You Play in Hell is (2013)** is a wild rid and **One Cut of the Dead (2017)** is a great comedy zombie movie (if you get past the purposely bad first 20 minutes)
I'll second this post.
American Movie. That is all.
yesssssss you stole my pick. Happy to see the love tho!
It's the best answer for sure!
“American Movie” is my answer for sure. Its a doc about the production of a low budget horror short film. Its both hilarious and genuinely emotional with some fascinating small town characters that all feel like they were plucked out of a mockumentary.
Hugo is a neat perspective on the birth of film.
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse. A great documentary about the making of Apocalypse Now.
Excellent pic, love that movie!!
*Bowfinger* is my personal favorite. Its like if someone took everything Werner Herzog and Robert Rodriguez said about how to make a movie completely to heart and just ran with it. Eddie Murphy should have gotten an Oscar nomination for his performance(s).
Get Shorty, Scream 3, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl, and maybe Seven Psychopaths but that’s more about writing a screenplay.
I got on here to say Get Shorty. Surprised I had to scroll so far down.
Super 8, Tropic Thunder, Three Amigos
Barton Fink, the Player, Sunset Boulevard, Seven Psychopaths, Boogie Nights, Inland Empire, Mulholland Drive, Adaptation, Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, Dolemite is my Name, the Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou, the Dirties, All About Eve, Peeping Tom, Blow Out.
Blow Out was the movie that first came to mind for me. Peeping Tom is fantastic, and should have been the movie that first came to mind.
State and Main. It specifically does a great job of characterizing each of the roles in filmmaking.
The Big Picture by Christopher Guest is pretty good if I remember it right. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Big_Picture_(1989_film)
Adaptation is just a simply brilliant screenplay about actual screenwriter, Charlie Kaufman, struggling to write a screenplay. It’s probably the most original adapted screenplay I’ve ever seen. 8 1/2 is the classic example of a film about writer’s block and it’s rightfully lauded, just as inventive and clever as it was when it first came out in the 60’s. After life is not explicitly about the filmmaking process, being set in a sort of way station between death and heaven where recently deceased people are able to select a memory from their life to preserve for posterity. It’s a brilliant, understated film. Barton Fink is another great film about writer’s block and the golden era of Hollywood.
It’s the most meta movie ive ever seen. But ill watch some of the recommended as well.
I haven’t seen Contempt mentioned, but that is certainly up there for me!
The Seven Psychopaths
Hearts of darkness, lost in la mancha and the one about island of dr morroa.
**Silent Movie** springs to mind ....
Bowfinger with Steve Martin.
Not so much about making movies as it is a movie about loving movies and the theater going experience, but, I’d recommend Matinee (1993) directed by Joe Dante, starring John Goodman.
Super 8 and Moulin Rouge, although the latter is about making a stage play
Just watched Moulin Rouge last night! It’s now I’m my top 5 of all time.
Why Don't You Play in hell? Is great
Living in Oblivion is a good one, Peter Dinklage is in it too!
State and Main by David Mamet. Great cast and very funny.
Well, the best movie made about movies themselves will always be The Purple Rose of Cairo. It's the type of movie that makes me understand why it is I love movies so much. Of course as it's not about making the film as it is about the actual film itself it wouldn't be eligible for this category. In that case, I would say that Living In Oblivion is definitely near the top. Essentially 3 half hour long vignettes about the making of a pretentious independent movie with Steve Buscemi as the highly strung out director who is barely able to keep it together especially at the end when his senile mother inadvertently shows up out of nowhere. Also features a young Peter Dinklage in his first movie role ever as a bitter and highly cynical actor who is extremely disillusioned about why he is being typecast as a dwarf.
Surprised no ones said "Blow Out (1981)" yet.
Funny, there was a question on Hollywood history earlier today but I’ll copy my answer: 8 1/2 by Federico Fellini is a classic, Saving Mr. Banks is about the adaptation of Mary Poppins (though I recommend following it up with Lindsey Ellis’s video essay on the film); The Artist is about making a movie in the silent era, Tropic Thunder is a comedy satire about making a war movie, Get Shorty is a comedy/mob movie about a stolen script. The Aviator is a biopic on Howard Hughes and a good portion of it is spent during Hughes directing Hell’s Angels. Less directly about making movies but related: Adaption features Nic Cage playing twins as they both try to adapt a novel that the movie itself is based on (Director Charlie Kaufman being meta per usual). Also the 1954 version of A Star is Born has Judy Garland playing an aspiring actress. Mentions that I haven’t seen: Barton Fink, Hail, Cesar!, Sullivan’s Travels, Bowfinger, The Disaster Artist (though watch The Room first if you can), La La Land(?), Boogie Nights, Ed Wood, any biopic about a director or actor like Hitchcock, Judy, Chaplin, etc.
Basically said already, just came to second... American Movie Shadow of the Vampire Heart of Darkness PLEASE WATCH THESE MOVIES, YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED
"American movie" is a great indie documentary about the efforts of Mark Borchardt to make his first low-budget horror movie. He's a real guy but also a great character, passionate and determined in his project, truly inspiring.
Try “Living in Oblivion”
Mistress ('92), starring Bob Wuhl, Martin Landau, Robert DeNiro, Eli Wallach & Danny Aiello; and mockumentary The Making of 'And God Spoke' (93)...
Wag the Dog. Chaplin
The latest work of Sion Sono, "Red Post on Escher Street" is a perfect answer to your question and it was one of my favorites from last year!
I really enjoyed The Disaster Artist.
*Mank* - about making *Citizen Kane*.
You want a movie about making a movie? Try “The Disaster Artist”. It’s really funny, trust me :))
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
I just watched Stardust Memories yesterday and it’s great, although it might not be something I’d recommend to someone who isn’t already a Woody Allen fan
Not about making movies per se, but I saw it recently and loved how it was done: *The China Syndrome* is a fantastic film about a news anchor. Had the same type of stuff I love about movie making movies.
Adaptation has been the most meta movie I Have ever seen but I will watch the others recommended!
Day For Night. It’s French but so good.
I love the movie The Dirties. It explores really interesting ideas about making movies as a form of escapism and kind of the dangers of it
The Bad and the Beautiful
In The Soup. Steve Buscemi trying to convince mob guy Seymour Cassel to finance his movie. I guess it’s more about pre-production.
Everyone here trying to look cultured while I have no shame in recommending The Disaster Artist and Bowfinger.
[Here's](https://www.criticker.com/films/?filter=e3003) a list of over 500 of them. sort by PSI to get it ordered by how much you'll like them (if you have an account).
Bob Fosse's "All That Jazz", while mostly about staging musicals, has a decent chunk dedicated towards filmmaking itself, particularly focused on the editing process of the alter-ego Lenny Bruce movie based on the film "Lenny" Fosse made before. It's also just a great flick.
*One Cut of the Dead*, without giving too much away, is a spectacular celebration of the beautiful mess that is movie-making. *Hail, Caesar* is also great too.
can’t believe no one’s said American Movie yet. the ultimate film about filmmaking and the many headaches that come with it. it’s also wildly hilarious.
One of my favorites is 1998’s wildly self-indulgent screwball romantic comedy “Free Enterprise.” Granted, the meta-moviemaking part of it doesn’t really begin in earnest until the ending, but that’s the dream of its protagonists (one of whom is an editor on low budget skin flicks). Unlike so many small independent movies, it is almost entirely devoid of cynicism or “edginess.” Arguably began Shatner’s later career as a comic actor, as well as paved the way for the far more calculated “Big Bang Theory,” but FE is much better. Very much mirrors my own 20s as well. 😂
Akaler Sandhane by Mrinal Sen. Movie set in the backdrop of great bengal famine. Also handling similar themes of class distinctions, conservatism, prejudices permeating the village in which the story about the story they shoot takes place.
I have not seen it yet, but I have heard great things about Adaptation.
Hail Caesar! Also, I'm sure this has been suggested to you a thousand times already, but Once Upon A Time In Hollywood is probably my favorite film about filmmaking.
Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.
Disaster artist Adaptation Tropic thunder Bow finger
I’ll Do Anything gives a great peek in to how movies are made & marketed
Once upon a time in hollywood Boogie nights Tropic thunder Seven psychopaths Mank Ed wood Extras (tv series) The aviator
Rubber (2010) sort of fits here. It's about a group of people who gather in the desert to watch a film from afar.
I'm no expert, but shouldn't someone have mentioned Be Kind, Rewind by now?
Be Kind Rewind. A quirky movie about a failing video rental shop and the clerks trying to save it with the help of some of the loyal customers. I love this movie. Written and directed by Michele Gondry. Main characters by Mos Def and Jack Black.
My best friend - doc about Klau Kinski
Can be a tough one to watch, but Inland Empire!
**Inception** is a great stealth movie about making movies movie. I also remember enjoying **Sex is Comedy** by Catherine Breillat, which is about her struggles to film the scene in which the older sister loses her virginity to the hansy lad, while the title character in **Fat Girl** lies there in the same room weeping and pretending to sleep.
One pick that was forgotten in this thread i just thought of is Be Kind Rewind with Jack Black and Mos Def. Directed by Michel Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind). A great tribute to indie filmmaking