10 Movies & Shows Similar to Marjoe (1972)

Description: Grizzly Man, like Marjoe, presents a portrait of a man whose life becomes a performance, in this case Timothy Treadwell's self-styled role as protector of grizzly bears. Both films explore the fine line between passion and obsession, and how individuals craft their own mythologies.

Fact: Grizzly Man was directed by Werner Herzog. The film uses over 100 hours of Treadwell's own footage. Herzog famously listens to the audio of Treadwell's death (not included in the film) and advises the coroner to destroy the tape.

Description: Similar to Marjoe (1972), Jesus Camp is a documentary that explores the world of charismatic religious figures and the fervent devotion they inspire. Both films delve into the psychology of belief and the performative aspects of religious leadership, offering a critical yet empathetic look at their subjects.

Fact: Jesus Camp was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in

Description: This documentary shares with Marjoe an examination of eccentric subcultures and the human desire for recognition. Both films feature charismatic figures in niche worlds (evangelism and competitive gaming) where passion borders on obsession.

Fact: The film focuses on the rivalry over the Donkey Kong high score record. It helped spark renewed interest in classic arcade gaming. Director Seth Gordon went on to direct mainstream comedies like Horrible Bosses.

Description: Like Marjoe, Anvil! documents the lives of performers who once tasted fame and continue chasing their dreams. Both films offer poignant looks at the persistence of artistic passion in the face of obscurity and the performative aspects of maintaining a public persona.

Fact: The band Anvil was influential in the development of thrash metal. The film was initially mistaken by some as a mockumentary. After the film's release, Anvil experienced a career resurgence.

Description: Similar to Marjoe's examination of performance and perfection in preaching, Jiro Dreams of Sushi explores the pursuit of perfection in culinary arts. Both films present protagonists completely devoted to their craft, blurring the line between vocation and identity.

Fact: Jiro Ono's sushi restaurant has three Michelin stars. Reservations at Sukiyabashi Jiro typically need to be made months in advance. The film was directed by David Gelb, who later created the Netflix series Chef's Table.

Description: The Imposter shares with Marjoe a fascination with performance and identity. Where Marjoe reveals a preacher who may not believe his own message, The Imposter documents a man who convinces others he's someone he's not, exploring similar themes of deception and self-invention.

Fact: The film combines documentary interviews with dramatic reenactments. The real Nicholas Barclay, whose identity was stolen, remains missing. Director Bart Layton went on to create the TV series Locked Up Abroad.

Description: Like Marjoe, which reveals the reality behind a charismatic preacher, Searching for Sugar Man uncovers the truth about a mysterious musician. Both films explore the nature of artistic legacy and the gap between public perception and private reality.

Fact: The film won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 201Rodriguez, the subject of the film, was completely unaware of his fame in South Africa. The filmmakers initially had difficulty locating Rodriguez, who was working construction in Detroit.

Description: Like Marjoe, The Act of Killing examines the performative nature of identity, but in the context of former Indonesian death squad leaders reenacting their crimes. Both films use the documentary form to explore how individuals construct and justify their public personas, blending reality with performance.

Fact: The Act of Killing was executive produced by Werner Herzog and Errol Morris. The film won the BAFTA Award for Best Documentary in 201Director Joshua Oppenheimer spent nearly a decade researching and filming in Indonesia.

Description: Like Marjoe's subjects who create their own reality through performance, The Wolfpack documents brothers who used movies to construct an alternative world while confined in their apartment. Both films explore how individuals use performance to cope with and escape their circumstances.

Fact: The Angulo brothers were homeschooled and rarely allowed outside. They recreated entire films from memory using homemade props. The documentary won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Description: Man on Wire shares with Marjoe a focus on a charismatic individual whose life is a blend of artistry and audacity. Both films celebrate the human spirit's capacity for extraordinary feats while also questioning the motivations behind such public spectacles.

Fact: Man on Wire won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in