Directed by Justin McConnell, Clapboard Jungle follows McConnell’s career and everyday life as an indie filmmaker over the course of five years. Blatantly frank, insightful, and emotional, the documentary showcases the struggles independent filmmakers face demystifying any romanticized notions about the avenues open to indie filmmakers within the current film business.
Providing an honest account of the processes indie filmmakers take in their career development, this is reinforced and supported by numerous interviews with filmmakers Guillermo Del Toro, Tom Savini, George A. Romero, Michael Biehn, Sam Firstenberg, Barbara Crampton, Frank Henenlotter, Dean Cundey to name just a few. Insights into the industry are provided from different perspectives of the industry and from veteran filmmakers who still face the same challenges and frustrations. This documentary provides a raw insight into the never-ending grind of indie filmmaking. As illustrated by McConnell, it showcases the heart, tenacity, and adaptability indie filmmakers must possess to succeed, developing business acumen in addition to artistic craft. It also touches on discrimination and marginalization as additional factors filmmakers face within the industry.
This documentary is an education. The nugget is watching McConnell’s progression and success as he endeavors to get his projects off the ground. This acts as an inspiring motivator. It addresses the internal conflicts experienced as a creative -questions of self-doubt, rejection, and criticism. Is my work good enough? Is it good period? Clapboard Jungle provides solace in the fact that no one is alone in this self-critique, to push through it while highlighting the importance of peers and community.
Clapboard Jungle is appropriately named and one of the best documentaries on filmmaking I have watched. I highly recommend it. The film is available on digital in the U.S (via Gravitas Ventures/Kamikaze Dogfight) and Canada (Indiecan Entertainment).
Movie Rating: 4 stars.
Movie Rating Guide
1 Star = Unwatchable
2 Stars = Cannot Recommend
3 Stars = Great for the Fans
4 Stars = A Solid Movie
5 Stars = Must Own (DVD/Stream Download)
About Author
A great documentary. It sums up so many things creatives in general face. If you have that dream, just keep going, no matter what!