Incident at Loch Ness (2004)

Netflix Synopsis: The quiet town of Loch Ness is invaded by a gaggle of off-kilter filmmakers in this clever mockumentary. Funded by producer Zak Penn, eccentric German director Werner Herzog heads to Scotland to shoot a documentary about Loch Ness Monster lore. John Bailey also arrives to shoot a film that reveals Herzog’s creative process. Meanwhile, it becomes apparent that Penn had ulterior motives in his casting choices, and both films begin to fall apart.

Review: A mockumentary of the film production process in general, acclaimed director Werner Herzog (Fitzcarraldo; Aguirre) goes to Scotland to film a documentary about Nessie, but little does he know that he’s about to get “punk’ed” himself. From the jerkwad producer who thinks he knows everything but knows nothing, to the stooge crypto-zoologist to the Playboy model hired to be the sonar operator (remember, this is supposed to be a documentary!), to members of the crew that flee the production 2 days into the shoot, this film isn’t as blatant as Christopher Guest’s great mockumentaries, but is every bit as funny and engrossing. When I was watching the credits and special features, I still couldn’t tell if Herzog was in on the joke. Very smart, very funny.

Submitted by: Audrey 10/30/06