American Movie

1999 1h 44m EN

🙌

7.6

BANGER

🔥

94%

CERTIFIED FRESH

💯

METACRITIC

⭐

7.8

IMDB

★7.6TMDB · 291🍅94%Rotten Tomatoes●84Metacritic★7.8IMDB · 20,989

DocumentaryComedy

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

American Movie documents the story of filmmaker Mark Borchardt, his mission, and his dream. Spanning over two years of intense struggle with his film, his family, financial decline, and spiritual crisis, American Movie is a portrayal of ambition, obsession, excess, and one man's quest for the American Dream.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Mark Borchardt
Filmmaker
Mike Schank
Friend / Musician
Tom Schimmels
Actor in 'Coven'
Monica Borchardt
Mark's Mom
Alex Borchardt
Mark's Brother
Chris Borchardt
Mark's Brother
Ken Keen
Friend / Associate Producer
Matt Weisman
Casting Director

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Chris Smith
Languages: English
Countries: United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 6

ERA

Did you know

27 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Chris Smith, shot by Chris Smith. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Mike Schank. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 6

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Jun Diaz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 6

CAST

Did you know

Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank and Tom Schimmels carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 6

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt0181288 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Chris Smith directs. Chris Smith behind the camera. Mike Schank scores. Jun Diaz cuts. Produced in United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

127 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
2Directed by Chris Smith, shot by Chris Smith. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
3Original score by Mike Schank. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
4Editor Jun Diaz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
5Mark Borchardt and Mike Schank and Tom Schimmels carry the top of the cast.
6IMDB entry: tt0181288 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.