Being a celebrity is definitely not a walk in the park. Your private life is shown to the whole world, and strangers will bother and follow you. If you’re a big name in your field, you’ll probably get special treatment wherever you go. However, there are some bad things that come with being famous.
Pamela, a Love Story has recently premiered on Netflix, and it takes viewers back to a very poignant and traumatizing moment in the actress and model’s life while also meditating about the good in Anderson’s journey. Here are some documentaries that look closely at the lives of famous people, showing their very human pains and all the things that make them who they are.
‘Amy’ (2015)
The British documentary Amy, which won an Oscar in 2015, shows rare home videos and interviews with the talented singer’s close friends and family. This interesting A24 documentary, directed by Asif Kapadia, shows Amy Winehouse’s life from when she was a young aspiring singer to when she was a troubled but clearly talented star.
Amy is a very informative and deeply personal film because it carefully shows one of the best singers of a generation, never putting her down but instead celebrating her life. Even though Amy is sometimes sad and hard to watch, it is powerfully made and well-presented, giving viewers a hard but necessary look into the life of one of the most famous artists of all time. Mark Ronson, who knew and worked with Winehouse for a long time and was a producer, thinks the documentary is “respectful” to the late singer.
‘Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story’ (2017)
Bombshell: Alexandra Dean’s Hedy Lamarr story shows the life of a Hollywood actress who was called the most glamorous and beautiful person in the world. Even though Lamarr was undeniably beautiful, her true talents were often overshadowed by her looks, which was a shame.
Very few people knew that Hedy Lamarr was a scientist at heart. This documentary shows Hedy Lamarr in a different, more accurate light. This interesting biography doesn’t shy away from giving lots of details. In fact, Bombshell makes people realize how smart and underrated Lamarr was when it came to electronics.
‘Cobain: Montage of Heck’ (2015)
Brett Morgen’s official documentary from 2015 made its debut at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. It tells the story of the late singer Kurt Cobain from his early days in Aberdeen to his rise with the grunge band Nirvana and then his fall.
Cobain: Montage of Heck tries to show Cobain in the most human way possible. It shows a side of the artist that most people didn’t know about and balances the sad moments with a few happier ones. Even though it has some sad parts, this stylized documentary is a great way to learn more about the famous artist.
‘Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé’ (2019)
This Netflix documentary shows Beyoncé’s famous performance at the 2018 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival. It gives an in-depth, personal look at the singer’s emotional journey from creative idea to cultural movement.
This beautifully made documentary is sure to surprise everyone who watches it, even if they aren’t big fans of the world-famous artist. It focuses on black pride throughout and often shows quotes from famous black artists. Homecoming: A Film by Beyoncé shows that Beyoncé has become one of the best performers of all time because she works so hard at what she does.
‘I Am Divine’ (2013)
I Am Divine is all about how Divine, whose real name is Harris Glenn Milstead and who is also known as “Divine,” became John Water’s cinematic muse and a beloved drag queen around the world. A part of the pop star’s life and career is shown in the biographical film.
This engaging portrait of the extravagant and complicated person behind the movie character is a touching film that celebrates the life of a very kind man with humor and sadness. It shows how influential Devine was as a person and how his existence still brings comfort to those who can relate to him.
‘Jane Fonda in Five Acts’ (2018)
Jane Fonda in Five Acts, which is directed by Susan Lacy, does exactly what it says it will do: it gives a look into the life and career of actress Jane Fonda, including the controversies that surrounded her and the political work she did.
This brilliantly put-together documentary does a great job of painting a lively portrait of one of the most interesting public figures in pop culture. It’s an introspective and tender look at Fonda’s life, showing her intense journey through the years, and it might be interesting to anyone who likes her work at all.
‘Miss Americana’ (2020)
By now, everyone who likes Taylor Swift has heard of Miss Americana and seen it. Still, even if you aren’t a big fan of her music, it’s a fun and interesting movie to watch. The singer-songwriter is followed by the documentary over several years of her career.
What makes Miss Americana so good is how it mostly talks about the problems the pop star has had to deal with over the years, like her troubling time with an eating disorder. The 2020 movie is real, raw, and revealing, which makes it a very interesting film.
‘Pamela, a Love Story’ (2023)
After years of trouble, the always charming pop culture icon Pamela Anderson thinks about how much her life changed when she lost her voice. The documentary was made by her son Brandon Thomas Lee and directed by Ryan White. It also has footage that has never been seen before and personal journal entries from several years ago.
Pamela, a Love Story is a must-see for anyone who wants to know more about the life of the actress and model. It is real, sweet, and about real people. Most importantly, Anderson’s story is finally told by the person who should tell it: Anderson herself. The touching documentary will definitely change many people’s ideas about the iconic Baywatch star. It shows how brave and positive Anderson was and how she took back her story after years of ridicule and disrespect.
‘Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind’ (2018)
Robin Williams was one of the most well-known comedic and serious actors of all time. In this fun and personal documentary, people get a glimpse into his mind as they learn about and celebrate his amazing life and career, which has touched many people.
Robin Williams: Come Inside My Mind by Marina Zenovich is always moving. It feels like a warm hug the whole time, one that is sometimes so tight and close that it hurts to watch. The documentary does a great job of showing all of the different sides of the beloved comedian’s life and how complicated he was.
‘Whitney’ (2018)
Kevin Macdonald’s moving film Whitney is about the life and career of the famous singer. It does this by putting together a lot of never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances, and interviews with people who knew her best.
Whitney Houston was without a doubt one of the best artists alive, and she was also one of the most well-known. Her most recent biopic, I Wanna Dance with Somebody, shows that her mark on the music industry will last for a long time. Whitney lets people into the mind of a famous person and shows the highs and lows of a life that will never be forgotten.
