Ross McElwee’s ‘Remake’ and the Art of Personal Documentary
Ross McElwee, a pioneer of first-person cinema, returns with Remake (2025), a deeply personal and intricately layered documentary that grapples with grief, memory, and the evolving nature of life and art. Following his breakthrough film Sherman’s March (1985), McElwee has consistently turned the camera on himself and those around him, observing domestic life and the wider world with humor and detachment. Remake, however, marks a recent level of emotional vulnerability, born from the tragic loss of his son, Adrian.
A Life in Fragments
McElwee’s films, including Time Indefinite (1993) and Photographic Memory (2011), have chronicled his life, marriage, and Adrian’s journey from infancy to adulthood. Remake confronts the pain of Adrian’s death from a fentanyl overdose in 2016, presenting a fragmented narrative that mirrors the disorientation of grief. The film employs a non-linear structure, interweaving footage from McElwee’s past films, Adrian’s own video projects, and moments from the present day.
The Hollywood Paradox and a Filmmaker’s Identity
Alongside the intensely personal story of Adrian, Remake explores a surprising subplot: a Hollywood attempt to remake McElwee’s Sherman’s March into a narrative feature and then a television series. This absurd situation provides a counterpoint to the film’s emotional core, highlighting the tension between artistic integrity and commercial pressures. McElwee also reflects on his own identity as a filmmaker, questioning whether he can continue to create after such a profound loss.
The Influence of Cinema Verité Pioneers
McElwee’s approach to filmmaking is rooted in the traditions of cinema verité, influenced by filmmakers like Richard Leacock and Ed Pincus, whom he studied under at MIT. He embraces a method of observation, allowing moments to unfold naturally rather than imposing a rigid script. He acknowledges the ethical complexities of this approach, recognizing that filming extracts something from people’s lives. He hopes his films convey an “unalloyed affection” for his subjects, even if it comes at a personal cost. Filmmaker Magazine
Adrian’s Voice and Legacy
A significant aspect of Remake is the inclusion of footage shot by Adrian himself. This footage reveals a young man grappling with addiction and a desire to express himself through filmmaking. McElwee faced the difficult task of editing this material, choosing to focus on less disturbing content even as still acknowledging the reality of Adrian’s struggles. The film highlights Adrian’s honesty and his desire to document his life in a way that McElwee admits he does not.
A Late-Career Masterpiece
Despite the rawness of its subject matter, Remake is being hailed as a late-career masterpiece. The film’s innovative editing, its willingness to confront difficult emotions, and its exploration of universal themes of loss and remembrance have resonated with audiences and critics alike. The unexpected resolution involving the remake of Sherman’s March adds a layer of serendipity and hope to the film’s poignant narrative. Documentary.org
The “Deep Surprise of the Ocean”
McElwee reflects on a childhood memory of his son, Adrian, expressing his love for “the deep surprise of the ocean,” because you never know what you’re going to catch. He connects this sentiment to his filmmaking process, embracing the unexpected and allowing moments to “bloom” in front of the camera. This approach, inspired by documentary pioneer Ricky Leacock, has defined his work for decades.
Finding Peace Through Creation
Initially questioning his ability to continue filmmaking after Adrian’s death, McElwee found a path forward by returning to writing. He tasked an assistant with selecting frames from his films featuring Adrian, creating a frozen tableau that allowed him to begin processing his grief. This process ultimately led to the creation of Remake, a film that serves as both a tribute to his son and a testament to the power of art to heal and transform.