In a world where the line between content and reality is increasingly blurred, the entertainment industry documentary holds up a mirror to the mirror-makers. And the reflection is never just glamorous; it is always, fascinatingly, human.
The best entertainment industry documentaries mitigate this by centering consent and control. Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022) was produced by the star’s company, giving her editorial control. That is a different, less critical beast. Conversely, Britney vs. Spears (2021) was made without Britney’s participation but used court transcripts to serve justice rather than sensation.