Nathan Fielder Addresses Unconventional Doc Techniques in ‘You Can See Everything’ as Academy Doc Branch Members Weigh In (Exclusive)
At a panel at the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Nathan Fielder discussed the unconventional techniques in You Can See Everything, his Elizabeth Holmes documentary co-directed with Lance Oppenheim. Fellow documentary directors praised the film’s boundary-pushing approach and its strong audience appeal, prompting discussion about whether the Academy’s documentary branch should expand its view of what qualifies as documentary filmmaking.
The article says the branch has often overlooked popular, celebrity-led or commercially successful documentaries, as well as films using techniques such as reenactments. Amir Bar-Lev argued that observational footage is not automatically more truthful and that awards should recognise filmmaking craft as well as subject matter. You Can See Everything had grossed nearly $50 million and recorded the highest-grossing opening weekend for a film released in fewer than 1,000 locations since Borat in 2006, and for a documentary since Fahrenheit 9/11 in 2004.
In short
- Nathan Fielder’s Elizabeth Holmes documentary has grossed nearly $50 million.
- Directors debated whether Oscar voters favour narrow documentary styles.
- Amir Bar-Lev defended reenactments and other adventurous techniques.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The documentary branch should assess films by the quality and insight of their filmmaking, rather than treating observational footage as inherently more truthful or reenactments as disqualifying. Recognising popular, celebrity-led and commercially successful documentaries could also reflect the range of ways audiences engage with nonfiction stories.
The case against
A distinct documentary category can reasonably preserve standards that separate nonfiction filmmaking from more heavily staged or entertainment-driven forms. Expanding eligibility too far could make it harder to recognise films whose claims and methods rest on sustained observation, and could shift attention from documentary substance towards celebrity appeal or commercial success.
Explained simply
You Can See Everything is a documentary about Elizabeth Holmes, the founder of blood-testing company Theranos, whose claims about its technology drew intense scrutiny. Nathan Fielder co-directed the film with Lance Oppenheim and discussed its use of unconventional documentary techniques.
Documentaries can use interviews and footage of real events, as well as methods such as reenactments. The Academy’s documentary branch helps decide which films are recognised in its documentary awards, and debate has grown over whether its view of the form reflects the range of ways documentaries are made.
The discussion matters to filmmakers and audiences because awards can shape which documentaries receive attention. Some directors argue that judging should consider filmmaking craft and audience reach, alongside the subject and how a film was made.