Directed by Kevin Mukherji
Review by David Carter


Released by Indican
Running Time: 90 minutes
Rating: Not Rated
Color format: Color
Audio/Subtitles: 2.0 Stereo English
Region Code: 1, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: Widescreen
16:9 Enhanced: No
Special Features: Deleted scenes, shorts
Trailer Online: Yes

Independent filmmaker and actor Kevin Mukherji brings us AMERICAN STORYTELLERS, a collection of interviews with four filmmakers. HENRY: PORTRAIT OF A SERIAL KILLER director John McNaughton speaks about his influences and the unlikely way he got into the film business. Comedy legend Harold Ramis talks about the series of lucky breaks he’s had in his career that have lead to him being involved in some of the most successful films of all time. Forest Whitaker shares his experiences on both sides of the camera and the benefits of making the transition from actor to director. The final subject is John Sayles, critically acclaimed screenwriter and director. Sayles talks about his career from writing low budget horror films for Roger Corman to directing his own more artistic films.

Mukherji has brought together four men with different experiences and the documentary contains several interesting moments. Undoubtedly, AMERICAN STORYTELLERS will appeal primarily to those with an affinity for these directors or those with designs on the film industry themselves. The film never gets overly esoteric or technical, though, so even if you don’t know any of their works you’ll still find what they have to say interesting. Mukherji does something that most documentarians don’t: he remains silent. By letting the subjects speak for themselves, he allows their personalities and experiences take precedent in the film. A bit dry at times, but fans of cinema will find AMERICAN STORYTELLERS an interesting study of filmmaking.