Fantasia Film Festival 2020: CLAPBOARD JUNGLE: SURVIVING THE INDEPENDENT FILM BUSINESS

It might not be completely fair to say that all cinephiles dream about making their own movie one day, but I’d caution a pretty strong guess that most cinematic diehards have at least thought about being a filmmaker. And this notion of wanting to be a part of the craft that serves as the basis of one’s fandom is what makes Clapboard Jungle such an essential cinematic experience. Canadian filmmaker Justin McConnell pours his heart out in this marvelous gem of a documentary.

Filmed over 5 years, the film chronicles McConnell’s journey as an emerging independent filmmaker. He charts all his successes and failures along the way while featuring candid conversations with a slew of industry experts that include the likes of Guillermo del Toro, George Romero, Paul Shrader, and Michael Biehn, amongst others. The journey of his struggles to ‘make it’ in the film industry serve as the narrative basis of the documentary, which also hovers as an educational crash course on some of the lesser-known intricacies of the filmmaking process.

The long and windy road of filmmaking

What’s really interesting about Clapboard Jungle is how it illustrates the frustratingly long road that independent filmmakers must endure, and how that correlates with the filmmaking process itself. Making a movie isn’t easy, and those who partake in the crazy world of filmmaking are all playing the long game. Whether it’s through McConnell’s own experiences or those of other filmmakers featured in the film, the notion that making a film takes a lot of time rings loud and clear.

And despite having what I presume to be lengthy interview clips with some pretty big names (as listed above), the film actually spends most of its time showcasing the perspectives of many lesser-known filmmakers. And by showing how everyone, regardless of how established they might be, essentially shares the same views and struggles, Clapboard Jungle really serves as a reminder that all films are born out of sweat and blood. Whether it’s a small production shot out of someone’s backyard or a big-budget studio endeavour, the road to creating any film is always a long and windy one. McConnell punctuates this concept by being completely vulnerable and transparent in his struggles over the past 5 years, and the impact is astoundingly effective.

Conveying a personal sense of urgency

McConnell’s decision to document his own personal journey using the medium of cinema isn’t novel by any means, but I would argue that his overall approach to editing is actually quite unique. Throughout Clapboard Jungle, the pacing feels pressured and this really drives the film forward. Not only does McConnell seem to talk fast (particularly during his voice-over narrations), he also selectively includes scenes where he’s perpetually moving. Whether it’s him traveling on a bus, taking off on a plane, or sifting through a moving elevator, there always seems to be movement.

Even the title card for each interview is fairly brief, which again, heightens the kinetic energy of the film. This perpetuating force of movement digs into McConnell’s own sense of mental urgency, which he also communicates through his own reflective narration. The need to move fast and onwards in the industry becomes a statement that is conveyed from both the content and stylistic constructs of the film. By the end of Clapboard Jungle, it certainly doesn’t feel like 5 years have passed by, and that’s exactly how the experience felt like for the filmmaker himself.

And oddly inspiring documentary

Clapboard Jungle is a documentary that feels deeply personal, which isn’t surprising given the film’s subject matter. What’s surprising is how inspirational the film is, not only to aspiring filmmakers but (hopefully) to anyone who values the medium of cinema. McConnell reminds audiences that even the smallest of projects can take a village, and the current market of access in terms of content can sadly muddle the collective efforts of those who work in the industry. Being completely self-deprecating and honest, McConnell crafts a vitally important piece of cinema that will certainly resonate with anyone who has an appreciation for the art form itself.

Clapboard Jungle: Surviving the Independent Film Business premiered at the 2020 Fantasia Film Festival.