Today, Explained – Episode: "When Docs Cry"

Hosts: Noel King and Matt Bellany
Description: In this episode of "Today, Explained," Noel King and Matt Bellany delve into the intricacies of participation documentaries, their impact on storytelling, and the tumultuous journey of the highly anticipated Prince documentary directed by Ezra Edelman.

1. Introduction to Participation Documentaries

The episode opens with Noel King introducing the topic of participation documentaries, highlighting their rising prevalence in the streaming era. Noel mentions Martha Stewart's new Netflix documentary as an example of this genre's popularity and the challenges it faces in delivering authentic narratives.

Notable Quote:

• Noel King [00:02]: "It's Today Explained Martha Stewart is out publicizing her new Netflix documentary in the most hilarious way."

2. Understanding Participation Documentaries

Matt Bellany, a founding partner of Puck and host of the Town podcast, introduces the concept of participation documentaries. He defines them as documentaries where the subject is an active participant, often having production credits or significant influence over the film's outcome.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Bellany [02:23]: "A participation doc is a documentary in which the subject is also an active participant and that means they are producer or they are contractually involved in the documentary."
• Matt Bellany [02:54]: "I'm not typically a fan of this genre of programming. I think that you sacrifice a lot when you get into bed with the subject of your film."

3. Critique of the Genre

Matt expresses skepticism about participation documentaries, arguing that they often prioritize the subject's image over genuine storytelling. He points out that many celebrity documentaries become platforms for image brandishment rather than insightful narratives. Despite acknowledging that some participation docs are well-executed, Matt laments the genre's saturation and its tendency to limit the filmmaker's freedom.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Bellany [03:10]: "There are so many of them these days that they have sort of morphed into another thing."
• Matt Bellany [04:08]: "Often that freedom is the freedom to tell the story the way you want it to be told. Often it has to be told the way the subject wants it to be told."

4. Transition to the Prince Documentary Case Study

The conversation seamlessly shifts to the specific case of the Prince documentary directed by Ezra Edelman. Noel introduces the mysterious circumstances surrounding its halted release, setting the stage for a deeper exploration.

Notable Quote:

• Noel King [10:43]: "Matt Bellany, host of the Town Coming up, the Prince documentary. I haven't seen it. You haven't seen it, but we've got someone who has and she says it's amazing."

5. Inside the Prince Documentary Controversy

Sasha Weiss, a deputy editor at New York Times Magazine, provides an in-depth account of the Prince documentary's development and the obstacles it faces. She recounts the original agreement between director Ezra Edelman and Netflix, which granted Edelman exclusive access to Prince's archives in exchange for a six-hour film. However, due to changes in the estate's management and objections from new stakeholders, the documentary expanded to nine hours and included content that the estate found unfavorable.

Notable Quotes:

• Sasha Weiss [15:52]: "There's a great scene. It was on the night when Prince was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004..."
• Sasha Weiss [16:09]: "So, you know, he's got pain on his face. You know, it's bulky. It's both dominance and insecurity."

6. Estate Objections and Production Challenges

Sasha details the stringent demands made by Prince's estate, which sought editorial changes that would dilute or remove critical aspects of Prince's life and persona. These demands included reshooting scenes, removing certain songs, and omitting negative assessments of Prince's behavior, thereby compromising the documentary's integrity.

Notable Quotes:

• Sasha Weiss [20:03]: "Another thing was that the Netflix executive who signed on the project was laid off... the film lost its most powerful internal champion at Netflix."
• Sasha Weiss [21:45]: "They felt that it would turn people away from Prince, that it would ruin Prince's reputation."

7. Implications for Documentary Filmmaking

The halted release of the Prince documentary underscores the tension between journalistic integrity and estate-controlled narratives. Matt and Sasha discuss how this situation reflects broader challenges within the documentary industry, where powerful estates can potentially stifle honest and comprehensive storytelling.

Notable Quotes:

• Noel King [25:48]: "It makes you wonder if Prince's estate has the ability to do this. And there are so many documentaries being made that are just, let's show you the good side."
• Sasha Weiss [25:48]: "It's almost like the better the documentary, the less well it fits into Netflix's system."

8. Conclusion: The Future of Authentic Storytelling

The episode concludes with reflections on the state of documentary filmmaking. Noel and Sasha ponder whether true, unfiltered documentaries can survive in an environment increasingly dominated by participation docs and estate-controlled narratives. The Prince documentary serves as a cautionary tale about the potential compromises filmmakers might face when seeking access to influential subjects.

Notable Quotes:

• Sasha Weiss [24:44]: "I have a hard time believing that because I think the kinds of objections that the estate were raising were so numerous..."
• Noel King [26:22]: "A truly, this man had no equal. It's Friday. Have a smoke and enjoy."

Key Takeaways

• Participation Documentaries: While offering unprecedented access to celebrities, they often compromise storytelling integrity by allowing subjects significant control over the narrative.

• Estate Influence: Powerful estates can exert substantial influence over documentary content, potentially preventing the release of authentic and critical narratives.

• Industry Implications: The rise of participation docs poses challenges for genuine journalistic storytelling, raising questions about the future landscape of documentary filmmaking.

Supporting Voices

• Matt Bellany: Criticizes the participation documentary genre for its tendency to prioritize celebrity image over authentic storytelling.

• Sasha Weiss: Provides a detailed account of the Prince documentary’s challenges, highlighting the conflict between journalistic integrity and estate-controlled narrative.

Final Thoughts

The episode "When Docs Cry" offers a critical examination of the evolving documentary landscape, emphasizing the delicate balance between access, authenticity, and control. Through the lens of the Prince documentary controversy, Noel King and Matt Bellany shed light on the broader implications for filmmakers striving to tell honest and comprehensive stories in an industry increasingly influenced by celebrity and estate interests.

For those interested in exploring the complex dynamics of documentary filmmaking and the power structures that shape narratives, this episode provides a compelling and insightful analysis.