Directed by Chris Smith
American Movie (1999) is one of those rare documentaries that’s as funny and unexpectedly touching as any scripted comedy. Directed by Chris Smith, this cult classic is an offbeat, endlessly quotable portrait of an ordinary guy with an extraordinary dream—making a horror movie in small-town Wisconsin, no matter how impossible it seems.
At the heart of the film is Mark Borchardt, an endlessly enthusiastic, scrappy, and often broke filmmaker who’s determined to finish his low-budget horror short Coven (which he pronounces “COH-ven” to rhyme with “oven”). Mark is part philosopher, part hustler, part burnout—yet his stubborn passion for filmmaking makes him instantly lovable. Surrounded by a ragtag crew of friends, family, and locals, Mark sets out to scrape together money, actors, and time to get his movie made—even if it means roping in his sweet, exhausted Uncle Bill to bankroll the project with his meager savings.
The real magic of American Movie is in its humanity. We laugh with Mark, not at him—his big dreams and constant setbacks are relatable to anyone who’s ever tried to make something against the odds. Along for the ride is Mark’s soft-spoken, perpetually dazed best friend Mike Schank—whose wide-eyed sincerity, half-mumbled wisdom, and devotion to Mark turn him into an unforgettable scene-stealer.
Smith’s documentary balances absurd comedy with moments of raw emotion. You watch Mark fight tooth and nail against debt, doubt, and reality itself—because the alternative is giving up on what he loves most. The scenes of him pounding beers in the snow, directing amateur actors in creepy woods, or delivering hilariously motivational rants are as inspiring as they are chaotic.
By the end, American Movie isn’t just about a scrappy horror film called Coven—it’s about the pure, defiant spirit of DIY dreams. It’s about believing that if you just keep going, somehow, some way, you’ll get it done.
Decades later, American Movie remains a cult classic because it’s more than a story about filmmaking—it’s a bittersweet anthem for every underdog, every misfit, and every relentless dreamer.
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