7 Documentaries About Pop Culture Icons

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We’re surrounded by pop culture everyday, whether it be an image, a person, a style, an idea, or a principle. As an ever-changing phenomena, it certainly is an interesting topic. It would also be impossible to name all the things that make it up, but behind every moment of pop culture is an iconic mind. From art to athletes to actors, here are documentaries about some of the most influential pop culture icons. 

Reframed: Marilyn Monroe

During the 50s and 60s, Marilyn Monroe popularised the “blonde Bombshell” archetype. Seen as a sex symbol in pop culture, she became a major figure of the era’s sexual revolution. Reframed: Marilyn Monroe explores the celebrity’s life beyond the camera, revealing her legacy to be more than just a sex icon and exploring the tragedies that lead to her untimely death. The mini series dismantles the commonly held image of Marilyn Monroe, showing her to be a woman who rebelled against societal pressures during her career. Monroe had far more control over her career than commonly perceived. Behind the image of a dumb blonde was Marilyn Monroe pulling the strings, revealed through her own detailed notes plastered on the scripts given to her. The series features interviews from Monroe’s close friends, people who analysed her career, and from actresses who took inspiration from her. 

👉 Watch Reframed: Marilyn Monroe on Amazon Prime

Robin’s Wish

Beloved by the world, the death of Robin Williams in 2014 was a tragic blow to millions. Robin’s Wish explores the final days of the comedian before his suicide. Tabloids speculated about his death, citing his past struggles with addiction. In truth, as shown in the documentary, Williams was sober during his last days, but was suffering from an undiagnosed degenerative brain disease. As tragic as it is, Robin’s Wish has its moments of warmth, revealing the actor to be the kind and loyal man that the world saw him to be. With interviews from his wife, colleagues, and friends detailing his final days, Robin’s Wish is a salutation to his legacy and life. 

👉 Watch Robin’s Wish on Amazon Prime

Mike Tyson: The Knockout

Mike Tyson’s career and life was one of extreme highs and lows. Mike Tyson: The Knockout details the boxer’s turbulous life and career with an exploration of his rough upbringing, becoming a world champion, and a comeback from a rape conviction. With interviews from Tyson’s inner circle, enthusiasts and experts, the two part documentary offers many insights into the champion's life. The detailed fall and comeback thoughtful evokes questions about resilience. 

Mike Tyson: The Knockout on Wikipedia

Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell

Despite only being 24 when he died, The Notorious B.I.G was one of the most influential rappers of the genre, and is remembered as such today. Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell is a celebration of his life and career, with insightful footage and interviews from people close to him and from other rappers. The contribution of Big’s mother offers insights into his childhood that shaped the talent he became. Through photographs and anecdotes, details of how his uncle in Jamaica introduced him to sound system culture and how a neighbour back in Brooklyn had him listen to jazz classics are given. Unlike many documentaries about the rapper, the netflix documentary spends it’s time delving into his personhood and rise to fame rather than his murder. 

Biggie: I Got A Story To Tell on Wikipedia

Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind

Natalie Wood was one of the few stars to make it from child actor to young adult actor, starring in some of the most influential films such as “Rebel Without A Cause” and “West Side Story ''. With her career reaching another milestone of success with her comeback just before her death, Wood was practically born to be a star. Often, the circumstances about her horrendous death are often the topic of discussion rather than her legacy. But Natalie Wood: What Remains doesn’t fall into this trap. Featuring interviews from her daughter and those closest to her, the documentary is an intimate reminder of Wood’s eminent career and personal life. 

👉 Watch Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind on Amazon Prime

The Andy Warhol Diaries

Andy Warhol’s innovative art embodied pop culture, proving to the world that anything, even a print of a can of soup or a banana duct taped to a wall, can be made famous and iconic. The Andy Warhol Diaries is based on the book of the same name written by Warhol himself, allowing the legend to tell his story with his own words. With artificial intelligence mimicking Warhol’s voice, the docuseries channels his personal struggle and legacy. As well as insights from Warhol's own words, interviews from others contribute to the docuseries: such as curators at the Andy Warhol museum, figures of the same culture such as John Waters, people who worked with him, and his loved ones. The documentary offers a two sided portrait of a pop culture icon; an observer who knew how to play the game of the art world, and a man riddled with insecurities. 

The Andy Warhol Diaries on Wikipedia

One Man And His Shoes

The rise of Air Jordans dominated pop culture with their social and racial significance. The documentary tells the story of Michael Jordan, who found enormous success among the white-dominated world of sport, business, and pop culture. With quirky ads appealing to the youth, the release of Air Jordans sent a generation into a frenzy. The real story of the documentary is the scandal that came with these marketing strategies that helped transform the brand into a multi-billion dollar business. As well as praising the legacy of Michael Jordan, the documentary explores the spike of violence among the lower-class youth, who were the target audience for the pricey brand.

👉 Watch One Man And His Shoes on Amazon Prime

 
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