Legends of their craft

Welcome to the Culture Companion Vol. 8. The Culture Companion is a monthly-ish curation building bridges between the ideas we encounter in film, literature, and the arts. Subscribe to get new posts straight to your inbox.

I would never have believed you if you told me I'd reach a point in my life where I'd be ravenously devouring documentaries.

Ever since those history docs our teachers made us watch in forty-minute segments during class, I've been under the impression that documentaries are watched as an intellectual exercise rather than out of enjoyment or fascination.

But I've recently found myself in an era of facing up to my misjudgements and figuring out how to appreciate mediums or genres in a way that aligns with my interests. So, as a readjusted point of entry into documentaries, I've set out into the world of music docs and it's been an excellent time.

So here are five movies that have reshaped my perception of documentaries:

Music by John Williams

From Star Wars and Jaws to Jurassic Park and E.T., John Williams is the mind behind some of the most memorable compositions for the screen.

Leaning more towards a conventional documentary style, Music by John Williams tells the story of Williams's life and career through his passion for music and amusing anecdotes. Particularly special about this film is getting a glimpse into his heart-warming friendship and creative partnership with Steven Spielberg.

Music by John Williams is one not just for the diehard cinephiles but also for those who have an admiration and respect for orchestral music.

Quincy

A touching portrait of Quincy Jones that centres his family and day-to-day life as much as his career.

Co-directed by his daughter Rashida Jones, Quincy is a documentary reflecting the subject's sincere spirit and infectious good humour. It balances the story of his past with his contemporary work, including his immense impact on American culture and his encounters with life-threatening illnesses.

Quincy is a beautiful tribute to the genius behind names like Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, and even The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.

20 Feet from Stardom

A passionate account of the voices behind some of the most iconic tracks of the past few decades — and no, I'm not talking about the lead vocalists.

20 Feet from Stardom is an Oscar-winning documentary about backup singers to musicians like Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, and Mick Jagger, just to name a few. Not only does this movie give these artists their much-deserved spotlight but it also highlights the remarkable impact the voices of backup singers have on our musical cultural memory.

Moonage Daydream

Take the flashing images warning seriously when going into Moonage Daydream.

Brent Morgen's groundbreaking approach to depicting David Bowie's career and philosophies as an artist is a transcendental, kaleidoscopic montage of live performances, interviews, and archival footage. It's a look at how Bowie's music career coexisted with his life as a voraciously creative and curious being.

Moonage Daydream is a film not to watch for a traditional behind-the-scenes of a musician's life, but rather one to be simply swept up into and overcome by.

Tina

Serving to bring a sense of closure to Tina Turner's public life, this masterfully crafted 2021 documentary is just as irresistible as the artist herself.

Tina brings together a breadth of carefully curated voices, including that of Turner herself, to narrate how the star built a name for herself after escaping the abusive relationship that initially established her music career. In just two hours, Tina immerses you so deeply in her story that it leaves you buzzing with her energy, fearlessness, and love by the end.

This film is a true odyssey through Tina Turner's rise to fame.

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