13 Best Literary Documentaries to Watch (on Writing and Writers)

As we practice the art of social distancing during this coronavirus self-quarantine, I wanted to share some of my absolute favourite films/documentaries about writers and the craft of writing. While I highly recommend picking up actual books and plowing through your mountainous TBR pile, it’s nice to have an alternate bookish activity to add into the mix.

1. Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (on Netflix)

2. Margaret Atwood: A Word After a Word After a Word is Power (Free on CBC Docs)

3. Salinger (on Amazon Prime/HBO)

4. Regarding Susan Sontag (on Amazon Prime)

5. Patti Smith Dream of Life (Free on YouTube)

6. Life Itself (on Amazon Prime)

7. Gabo The Creation of Gabriel Garcia Marquez (on Amazon Prime)

8. Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself (Free on PBS)

9. Gore Vidal The United States of Amnesia (on Netflix)

10. Alice Walker Beauty in Truth (on PBS)

11. And Everything is Going to be Fine (For Rent on YouTube)

12. William S. Burroughs: The Life Thereof (Free on YouTube)

13. Bukowski Born Into This (Free on YouTube)