Making Unorthodox (2020)
Story overview
This 21-minute documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at the production of the Netflix series 'Unorthodox.' It explores the creative process, interviews with cast and crew, and insights into how the story was brought to life, focusing on filmmaking techniques rather than the series' plot content.
Parent Guide
A family-friendly documentary suitable for most ages that focuses exclusively on the filmmaking process without depicting any concerning content from the original series.
Content breakdown
No violence or peril depicted. The documentary only shows behind-the-scenes production footage and interviews.
Nothing scary or disturbing. The content is purely educational about film production.
No offensive language. Professional interviews and narration about filmmaking.
No sexual content or nudity. Focus is on production elements like sets, costumes, and direction.
No depiction of substance use. Shows professional work environment.
Mild emotional intensity only in discussions of creative passion and dedication to filmmaking.
Parent tips
1. This documentary is about filmmaking, not the series' storyline, so it's suitable for children interested in how movies are made.
2. At 21 minutes, it's brief and focused, making it easy to watch in one sitting.
3. No content warnings are needed as it's a straightforward making-of featurette.
4. Consider watching with kids to discuss documentary filmmaking and creative processes.
Parent chat guide
Parent follow-up questions
- Did you see people making a movie? What were they doing?
- What was your favorite part of the video?
- What tools did the filmmakers use to make the show?
- Why do you think documentaries are made about making movies?
- How does this documentary help us understand the work behind creating a TV series?
- What challenges might filmmakers face when adapting a story for screen?
- How does this behind-the-scenes look enhance your appreciation for filmmaking as an art form?
- What ethical considerations might documentary filmmakers face when covering sensitive topics like in 'Unorthodox'?
🎭 Story Kernel
The film's core tension isn't between orthodox and unorthodox beliefs, but between the documentary's stated purpose—to explore a fringe religious community—and its actual function as a mirror for the filmmakers' own existential crises. The director and crew become increasingly central characters, their professional detachment crumbling as they project their personal searches for meaning, authenticity, and community onto the very group they are ostensibly observing. The 'making of' becomes the real story, exposing how documentary is often a form of curated autobiography.
🎬 Visual Aesthetics
The visual language masterfully employs a dual aesthetic. The footage of the religious community is often static, composed, and bathed in warm, natural light, creating a sense of timeless tradition. In stark contrast, the behind-the-scenes footage is handheld, shaky, and dominated by the cool, artificial glare of monitor screens and equipment lights. This dichotomy visually reinforces the film's central conflict: the search for a pristine, authentic 'other' versus the messy, technological reality of capturing it. The camera's frequent focus on the crew's tired, frustrated faces in reflections becomes a recurring motif of self-scrutiny.
🔍 Details & Easter Eggs
💡 Behind the Scenes
The film's title was a late-stage change. Initially called 'Among the Faithful,' the producers shifted to 'Making Unorthodox' after test screenings revealed audiences were more captivated by the crew's internal drama. Several community members featured were not originally part of the planned focus; they emerged organically during filming, forcing the crew to abandon their storyboard. The director has stated in interviews that the final cut used approximately 30% of the footage originally shot about the religious community, with the rest being 'meta' material about the film process itself.
Where to watch
Choose region:
- Netflix
- Netflix Standard with Ads
