The Connection

One of the earliest mockumentaries, this clever, influential, independent film's criticism about cinema verite's (and documentaries in general) exploitative nature is spot on, yet it goes even further in showing how the subjects are exploiting the filmmakers themselves. The only major drawback is that the film's theatrical origins (it's based on a stage play) are well felt, and the acting is much less natural than it should be in this kind of film.

A bit stagey for it to work completely

Good, but ripe for a remake, because now people know how to make fiction look like documentary.

I like the film within a film set up but it’s mostly just squandered potential

The Connection estreava há 60 anos no Festival de Cannes. Primeiro longa da Shirley Clarke e que estreia! Ela totalmente subverte a questão de ser oriundo de uma peça de teatro e o transforma num mocumentário found footage de primeira, embalado a muito jazz e pico. No Youtube ( https://youtu.be/5fz0eMDCtb8 )

Think of Hollywood films that deal with social issues (e.g., Days of Wine and Roses)--except with a more creative, meta-filmmaking approach that would appeal to Post-Modernism fans. Acting and dialogue seem both dated; theatrical elements don't really translate. Real jazz musicians play on this and that's a plus.