The Amateurs 2007

A mismatched ensemble of six friends joins forces in their ambitious quest for fame, striving to produce the most heartwarming adult movie ever made. Despite their glaring lack of experience and clear direction, their unwavering determination propels them forward, as they pledge not to let any obstacles block their path to cinematic greatness… or so they believed.

After enduring months filled with missteps and learning curves, the aspiring filmmakers finally unveil their masterpiece. To commemorate their achievement, they host a screening at a local bar. However, just when they begin to revel in the success of their creation, a shocking disruption interrupts the evening’s festivities. The brother of a cast member, whose role was tragically relegated to mere cameo appearances (with only fleeting images of her face), barges in, seizes the projector reel from the oblivious projectionist, drenches it in whiskey, and ignites it in flames.

As the harsh reality sets in, the friends understand that this was their only copy, and all their hard work has vanished. Yet, fate smiles upon them once more: their cinematographer had been secretly recording the entire production process on tiny DV tapes. He skillfully edits these behind-the-scenes tapes into a touching documentary, intentionally omitting any explicit material to create a film that highlights the challenges and heartaches of bringing their original project to life and its subsequent loss.

This transformed version, titled The Amateurs, surprises everyone by garnering both critical acclaim and financial success within the independent film sector.