John Wilson on ‘The History of Concrete’ and What’s Wrong With the Documentary Space: ‘People Are Retelling Stories That Have Already Happened’

The documentary space is getting a reality check from John Wilson, whose new film "The History of Concrete" is as much about the art of storytelling as it is about, well, concrete. By turning the lens on the process of creating a documentary about concrete, Wilson cleverly critiques the ways in which documentaries often retread familiar narratives. This self-aware approach will likely resonate with music fans who are used to seeing artists experiment with form and challenge expectations.

Wilson's comments about the documentary space feeling stale - "people are retelling stories that have already happened" - strike a chord. In an era where music documentaries often follow a predictable arc, it's refreshing to see someone like Wilson pushing against those boundaries. The music doc genre has long been dominated by familiar tales of rise and fall, with many films feeling like rehashed versions of the same story. Wilson's willingness to experiment and challenge these norms could inspire a new wave of music documentarians to think outside the box.

As the documentary landscape continues to evolve, it'll be interesting to see how Wilson's approach influences the types of stories that get told. Will we see more self-aware, meta documentaries that challenge the genre? Or will filmmakers continue to play it safe, relying on tried-and-true formulas? Music fans will be watching closely, as the documentary space intersects with the music world in meaningful ways. Keep an eye on Wilson's next project, and be on the lookout for other documentarians who are eager to shake things up.

Originally reported by variety.com. MusicNewsletter adds analysis for culture, style & media readers.