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F for Fake

1973·Movie
1h 29min·PG
82
GreatGoodWatch score
IMDb7.7Metacritic877.2Rotten Tomatoes88%88%

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HBO MaxCriterion

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F for Fake fingerprint

A , documentary: , but darkly funny, .

Good for friends night · teens · thought-provoking

Feel

Story

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About

A magician is just an actor playing the part of a magician.

Documents the lives of infamous fakers Elmyr de Hory and Clifford Irving. De Hory, who later committed suicide to avoid more prison time, made his name by selling forged works of art by painters like Picasso and Matisse. Irving was infamous for writing a fake autobiography of Howard Hughes. Welles moves between documentary and fiction as he examines the fundamental elements of fraud and the people who commit fraud at the expense of others.
Documentary-Fiction HybridOrson WellesFraud and DeceptionMeta-NarrativeCinematic EssayMorality and TruthArt and IllusionBiographical ExplorationPsychological Study

Crew

Directed by:
Orson Welles, Oja Kodar, François Reichenbach
Written by:
Orson Welles, François Reichenbach
Produced by:
Dominique Antoine
Composed by:
Michel Legrand

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about F for Fake

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream F for Fake?

HBO MaxCriterion

In the United States, F for Fake streams on HBO Max and Criterion. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 7 other countries.

Is F for Fake worth watching?

82
GreatGoodWatch score

Yes, it's widely acclaimed, with a GoodWatch score of 82 (IMDb 7.7, Rotten Tomatoes 88%, and Metacritic 87).

Is F for Fake okay for kids?

PG

Not for young kids: it's rated PG in the United States, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

Can I half-watch F for Fake?

Easy watchDemanding

No, it needs your attention: the title analysis rates it 9 of 10 for non-linear narrative and 9 for meta narrative.

Will F for Fake make me laugh?

Funny

Yes: the humor is mostly satire (7 of 10) and dark humor (7 of 10).

Is F for Fake in English?

FrenchEnglishSpanish

No, it was made in French, with some English and Spanish.

What tropes does F for Fake use?

Bavarian Fire DrillStock FootageSelf-DeprecationCreator ThumbprintBrick JokeDeath of the AuthorThe RevealPlato Is a MoronBadass LongcoatDistracted by the SexyWham LineGenre Shiftand 15 more

TV Tropes lists 27 tropes for it, including Bavarian Fire Drill, Stock Footage, and Self-Deprecation.