Eugene Levy isn’t afraid to call it like it is, and according to the Schitt’s Creek actor, mockumentary filmmaking is going the way of the dodo. Levy, of course, is a star player in Christopher Guest’s troupe of comedians who elevated the mockumentary platform to new heights with films like Waiting for Guffman, Mascots, For Your Consideration, A Mighty Wind, Best in Show, and This is Spinal Tap. Each offers an in-depth look at the personalities and unprofessionalism behind the music scene, show dog competitions, and more. The mockumentary style breaks the fourth wall, making camera operators and crew members a part of the drama, for better or worse. It’s a film style that lends to plenty of laughs when used strategically, and Levy says the art form of mockumentary filmmaking is dying.
Speaking with The Guardian, Levy said he doesn’t think Guest will make another mockumentary after it’s been “destroyed” by television. “No, I don’t think it will happen,” Levy said. “Our last one was ‘For Your Consideration’ back in 2006. Our fake documentaries — Chris always hated the term ‘mockumentary’ because we’re not mocking, it’s more affectionate than that — but they were getting a little cookie-cutter in terms of story. Everything was kind of the same, except we just changed the subject. At a certain point, that becomes predictable. In the interim, so many television shows have picked up that form and just destroyed it.”
While Levy refused to name any programs he thinks lent to the mockumentary’s demise, it’s not difficult to guess which shows helped twist the knife. I listed several of them in the first paragraph.
Despite not joining forces for another film, Levy told the Guardian about a reunion with Guest and other troupe members for the 20th-anniversary celebration of A Mighty Wind. “Funnily enough, a lot of the cast just got together in San Francisco for a reunion event, marking the 20th anniversary of ‘A Mighty Wind,'” Levy explained. “There was music, laughter, a lot of fun.”
Does Levy make a good point about television ruining mockumentary-style filmmaking? Many people say imitation is the highest form of flattery, but I’m unsure. Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments section.
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