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Why Mockumentaries Aren’t Found Footage and Some of the Best of the Bunch

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I find that there is a common confusion between found footage movies and mockumentaries, which are movies set up to look like a documentary but aren’t real. Found footage to me is The Blair Witch Project, yes they were filming a documentary but the actual movie is their raw footage of them bullshitting in the woods.

A mockumentary is Curse of the Blair Witch. Based on the story of how the movie footage was found and the search for the missing students and the legend behind the witch. Think of the set-up of both films and notice the difference.  One is raw, barely edited footage, shaky movement and no narration. The other is sit down interviews, clips and voice-overs.

While I love found footage to no end, I love horror mockumentaries a little bit more. They are more put together for the most part and can come off as just a little bit more realistic.

Most of the time, lists of found footage movies include mockumentaries without separating the two genres, so today I’m bringing you a small list of the best and/or creepiest mockumentaries that I’ve seen without overlapping too much on our found footage lists.

Curse of the Blair Witch (1999)

Image result for Curse of the Blair Witch (1999)

Watching it now, it’s a cheesy fake documentary but at the time, it accompanied the movie wonderfully. I saw The Blair Witch Project in theaters and it instantly fell in love with the found footage genre. Then I saw Curse of the Blair Witch and while it seemed like it was trying a bit too hard, it was still creepy and filled in some blanks that the movie created. You can watch the whole thing on Youtube. There was another mockumentary called Shadow of the Blair Witch that worked to explain the murders of the second movies, but we just like to pretend that Book of Shadows never happened. If you love The Blair Witch Project, look at the theory by MatPat of who the real killer is here.

Lake Mungo (2008)

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via Where’s The Jump

I came across this Australian mockumentary when I was home sick from work one day and turned on FearNet (RIP FearNet, I miss you). It was part way through but I’m a sucker for documentaries so I continued to watch. When Alice Palmer dies while swimming, her family hires a psychic to find what happened. While the documentary films, something supernatural haunts the family leading them to Alice’s secret life. It was slow but interesting and very creepy.

Digging Up the Marrow (2014)

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via YouTube

I love Adam Green’s movies! Each and every one (except Frozen, that SOB scared me so badly I can never EVER watch it again) and his sitcom. So when I heard he was doing a documentary style movie, I was excited. If it was anything like the Holliston Hobgoblin, it was bound to be good (LOL). Not only does it deal with monsters living beneath the surface of the earth but it also stars Ray Wise and I love everything he’s in. This is a very highly recommended movie. I enjoyed the wry humor and the ending immensely and I hope Adam Green meanders into mockumentaries again someday.

The Buried Secret of M. Night Shyamalan (2004)

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via Vulture

I mentioned this is my Shyamalan list in the past. This movie was a promotional project made circa The Village. It was meant to paint the Signs director as a mysterious person with possible connections to the paranormal. Shyamalan even played along by being “angry” with the director for releasing the movie. Regardless of the purpose behind the project, I loved this mockumentary. The way they made it was truly creepy and almost believable. It was made intelligently without being over the top and was a nice throwback to mockumentaries accompanying movies.

The Fourth Kind (2009)

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via YouTube

This almost didn’t make the list for a couple reasons. For one, the style is much more theatrical and less gritty. In its barest bones, it’s a mockumentary, but its style is much more like a sci-fi movie. Secondly, I hated the acting. The “reenactments” were poor and completely overshadowed by the “actual footage.”

The “actual footage” is the reason this makes the list. I am a sucker for alien stuff and I always have been. To me, the real footage in his movie is extremely unsettling. Even though the real footage is bogus, it feels so real. I would have happily taken a 15-minute movie of pieced together “real footage” over the 90-minute mishmash of what we got any day, but to me it’s worth the time just for the “real” stuff.

What We Do in the Shadows (2014)

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via IGN

I almost forgot this one and was furious at myself for it. As a big Flight of the Conchords fan, this movie got me so excited. A film crew follows four vampires to show what daily life is like for them. The premise is so simple and the characters are so delightful. Shy and awkward, the one who thinks he’s cool but isn’t, the one who does erotic dancing and then there’s Petyr.

Even the werewolves are adorable. “We’re werewolves, not swearwolves!” This isn’t one you can put on repeat but definitely has some rewatch quality.

If you can’t get enough found footage or mockumentaries, check out some of our other lists. What your favorite mockumentary or found footage movie? Let us know in the comments.

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‘Strange Darling’ Featuring Kyle Gallner and Willa Fitzgerald Lands Nationwide Release [Watch Clip]

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‘Strange Darling,’ a standout film featuring Kyle Gallner, who is nominated for an iHorror award for his performance in ‘The Passenger,’ and Willa Fitzgerald, has been acquired for a wide theatrical release in the United States by Magenta Light Studios, a new enterprise from veteran producer Bob Yari. This announcement, brought to us by Variety, follows the film’s successful premiere at Fantastic Fest in 2023, where it was universally praised for its creative storytelling and compelling performances, achieving a perfect score of 100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes from 14 reviews.

Strange Darling – Movie Clip

Directed by JT Mollner, ‘Strange Darling‘ is a thrilling narrative of a spontaneous hookup that takes an unexpected and terrifying turn. The film is notable for its innovative narrative structure and the exceptional acting of its leads. Mollner, known for his 2016 Sundance entry “Outlaws and Angels,” has once again employed 35mm for this project, cementing his reputation as a filmmaker with a distinct visual and narrative style. He is currently involved in adapting Stephen King’s novel “The Long Walk” in collaboration with director Francis Lawrence.

Bob Yari expressed his enthusiasm for the film’s upcoming release, scheduled for August 23rd, highlighting the unique qualities that make ‘Strange Darling’ a significant addition to the horror genre. “We are thrilled to be bringing nationwide theatrical audiences this unique and exceptional film with terrific performances by Willa Fitzgerald and Kyle Gallner. This second feature from talented writer-director JT Mollner is destined to become a cult classic that defies conventional storytelling,” Yari told Variety.

Variety’s review of the film from Fantastic Fest lauds Mollner’s approach, saying, “Mollner shows himself to be more forward-thinking than most of his genre peers. He’s clearly a student of the game, one who studied his forebears’ lessons with adroitness to better prepare himself to put his own mark on them.” This praise underlines Mollner’s deliberate and thoughtful engagement with the genre, promising audiences a film that is both reflective and innovative.

Strange Darling

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Sydney Sweeney’s ‘Barbarella’ Revival Forges Ahead

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Sydney Sweeney has confirmed the ongoing progress of the much-anticipated reboot of Barbarella. The project, which sees Sweeney not only starring but also executive producing, aims to breathe new life into the iconic character that first captured audiences’ imaginations in the 1960s. However, amid speculation, Sweeney remains tight-lipped about the possible involvement of celebrated director Edgar Wright in the project.

During her appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Sweeney shared her enthusiasm for the project and the character of Barbarella, stating, “It is. I mean, Barbarella is just such a fun character to explore. She really just embraces her femininity and her sexuality, and I love that. She uses sex as a weapon and I think it’s such an interesting way into a sci-fi world. I’ve always wanted to do sci-fi. So we’ll see what happens.“

Sydney Sweeney confirms her Barbarella reboot is still in the works

Barbarella, originally a creation of Jean-Claude Forest for V Magazine in 1962, was transformed into a cinematic icon by Jane Fonda under the direction of Roger Vardim in 1968. Despite a sequel, Barbarella Goes Down, never seeing the light of day, the character has remained a symbol of sci-fi allure and adventurous spirit.

Over the decades, several high-profile names including Rose McGowan, Halle Berry, and Kate Beckinsale were floated as potential leads for a reboot, with directors Robert Rodriguez and Robert Luketic, and writers Neal Purvis and Robert Wade previously attached to revive the franchise. Unfortunately, none of these iterations made it past the conceptual stage.

Barbarella

The film’s progress took a promising turn approximately eighteen months ago when Sony Pictures announced its decision to cast Sydney Sweeney in the titular role, a move that Sweeney herself has suggested was facilitated by her involvement in Madame Web, also under Sony’s banner. This strategic decision was aimed at fostering a beneficial relationship with the studio, specifically with the Barbarella reboot in mind.

When probed about Edgar Wright’s potential directorial role, Sweeney adeptly sidestepped, merely noting that Wright has become an acquaintance. This has left fans and industry watchers speculating about the extent of his involvement, if any, in the project.

Barbarella is known for its adventurous tales of a young woman traversing the galaxy, engaging in escapades that often incorporate elements of sexuality—a theme Sweeney seems eager to explore. Her commitment to reimagining Barbarella for a new generation, while staying true to the character’s original essence, sounds like the making of a great reboot.

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‘The First Omen’ Almost Received an NC-17 Rating

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Set for an April 5 theater release, ‘The First Omen’ carries an R-rating, a classification that was almost not achieved. Arkasha Stevenson, in her inaugural feature film directorial role, faced a formidable challenge in securing this rating for the prequel to the esteemed franchise. It seems the filmmakers had to contend with the ratings board to prevent the film from being saddled with an NC-17 rating. In a revealing conversation with Fangoria, Stevenson described the ordeal as ‘a long battle’, one not waged over traditional concerns such as gore. Instead, the crux of the controversy centered around the depiction of the female anatomy.

Stevenson’s vision for “The First Omen” delves deep into the theme of dehumanization, particularly through the lens of forced birthing. “The horror in that situation is how dehumanized that woman is”, Stevenson explains, emphasizing the significance of presenting the female body in a non-sexualized light to address themes of forced reproduction authentically. This commitment to realism nearly landed the film an NC-17 rating, sparking a prolonged negotiation with the MPA. “This has been my life for a year and a half, fighting for the shot. It’s the theme of our film. It’s the female body being violated from the inside outwards”, she states, highlighting the importance of the scene to the film’s core message.

The First Omen Movie Poster – by Creepy Duck Design

Producers David Goyer and Keith Levine supported Stevenson’s battle, encountering what they perceived as a double standard in the ratings process. Levine reveals, “We had to go back and forth with the ratings board five times. Weirdly, avoiding the NC-17 made it more intense”, pointing out how the struggle with the ratings board inadvertently intensified the final product. Goyer adds, “There is more permissiveness when dealing with male protagonists, particularly in body horror”, suggesting a gender bias in how body horror is evaluated.

The film’s bold approach to challenging viewers’ perceptions extends beyond the ratings controversy. Co-writer Tim Smith notes the intention to subvert expectations traditionally associated with The Omen franchise, aiming to surprise audiences with a fresh narrative focus. “One of the big things we were excited to do was to kind of pull the rug out from under people’s expectations”, Smith says, underscoring the creative team’s desire to explore new thematic ground.

Nell Tiger Free, known for her role in “Servant”, leads the cast of “The First Omen”, set for release by 20th Century Studios on April 5. The movie follows a young American woman dispatched to Rome for church service, where she stumbles upon a sinister force that shakes her faith to its core and reveals a chilling plot aimed at summoning evil incarnate.

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