American Movie

Chris Smith's critically acclaimed documentary American Movie from 1999 follows aspiring filmmaker Mark Borchardt over a period of more than two years. With a camera close to both his ambitions and his breakdowns, the film depicts an artistic struggle in which the desire to make films collides with financial problems, family challenges, and a deep personal crisis.

The film is tragic, moving, and often unintentionally humorous in its portrayal of a man who refuses to let go of his dream of becoming a filmmaker—no matter the cost. American Movie has become a cult classic precisely because it balances an intimate portrait with a larger narrative about ambition, identity, and the dream of success.

The result is an unusual and memorable documentary that offers a rare glimpse behind the scenes of the creative process and the human price that sometimes comes with the desire to create something great.