Last month, a documentary called Beyoncé: Life is but a Dream was screened on US television, then this week at Nu Metro cinemas in South Africa.
Tongue firmly in cheek, a writer from The New Yorker labelled Beyoncé her own hagiographer owing to this documentary billed as “A Film By Beyoncé” being (in part) written, shot, directed and edited by Mrs Carter. This is probably one of the reasons why not many people can take Life is but a Dream seriously. But not every music documentary is hagiography at work.
Depending on the relationship between a film-maker and their subject, there have been some brutally honest and insightful offerings in the past decade. Bob Marley is a firm favourite as a subject for many film-makers and this has resulted in a hit-and-miss kind of track record. But, the dead can’t defend themselves.
Luckily, the eccentric Lee “Scratch” Perry is still alive and kicking. The Upsetter: The Life and Music of Lee Scratch Perry, which is narrated by Benicio del Toro, is a must-see if you’re even remotely interested in reggae and dub. It expands on his music and spirituality.
The Devil and Daniel Johnston is a thrilling look at the Outsider musician and his battle with a bipolar disorder. It’s a very well presented documentary that doesn’t shield the bad, but doesn’t condemn him either.
Searching For Sugarman, which had some South Africans raving last year, is more so, if you’re a fan of Rodriguez.
As if the King Of Pop wasn’t already immortalised, a documentary on the period during which he made Bad was released last year. Bad 25 is a Spike Lee joint and features interviews with key figures such as Stevie Wonder and never-seen-before footage.
On the hip hop front, the brilliant Something From Nothing: The Art of Rap is a documentary by Ice T that looks at pioneers and practitioners of the culture.
Tupac: Resurrection is a documentary by Lauren Lazin that combines personal archived footage with poetry and illustrations. It is a compelling look at one of the best rappers of all time, forget what CNN says.
And though some believed 8 Mile was really the biography of Eminem, it wasn’t actually a doccie, but gets a special mention.