It seems like what we'd now label a "mockumentary," this film centers on a man who appears to be everything to everyone—except maybe himself. The story unfolds through interviews, news footage, and other seemingly real recordings, detailing the life of someone who managed to insert himself into countless situations, social classes, and political groups, changing his appearance to maintain a constant level of visibili…

It feels like we'd describe this now as a “mockumentary” centered on a man who seems capable of being everything to everyone, except maybe himself. The story unfolds through interviews, news footage, and other seemingly authentic material, detailing the life and times of someone who managed to insert himself into nearly every situation, social class, and political group, changing his appearance to maintain a consiste…

Leonard Zelig is described as a "human chameleon," but the film *Zelig* goes beyond simple imitation. It distinguishes between copying and parody in a way that recalls how Hitchcock differentiated action from suspense. For instance, Zelig's parents would punish him by locking him in a dark closet. If that were all there was to it, the movie might just be echoing something from Ingmar Bergman’s childhood; Allen’s b…

This is a delightful film presented in the style of a documentary, focusing on a made-up individual from the nineteen twenties and using visuals that appear to be recovered archival material shot in monochrome.