A Decade Under the Influence (film)

A Decade Under the Influence is a 2003 American documentary film directed by Ted Demme and Richard LaGravenese. The film explores the era of American independent filmmaking in the 1970s, focusing on directors whose work often challenged Hollywood conventions and explored complex themes.

The documentary features interviews with numerous prominent filmmakers, actors, and critics, including (but not limited to) Martin Scorsese, Sydney Pollack, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Schrader, Peter Bogdanovich, and John Cassavetes (through archival footage). They discuss the cultural and societal shifts that allowed for the rise of these innovative and often controversial films.

The film examines the creative freedom that characterized the decade, facilitated by the collapse of the studio system and a willingness to take risks. It highlights the influence of European cinema and the auteur theory, emphasizing the director's role as the primary artistic voice.

Key films and filmmakers discussed include those involved in Easy Rider, The Godfather, Taxi Driver, Mean Streets, Five Easy Pieces, Nashville, and the works of directors like Robert Altman, Francis Ford Coppola, Hal Ashby, and Bob Rafelson.

A Decade Under the Influence provides a critical analysis of the era, acknowledging both its artistic achievements and its commercial failures. It also explores the lasting impact of these films on subsequent generations of filmmakers. The title is taken from the John Cassavetes film A Woman Under the Influence (1974), reflecting Cassavetes' significant influence on the filmmakers discussed.