American Cannibal

American Cannibal is a compelling, provocative, and darkly humorous 2006 documentary directed by Perry Grebin and Michael Nigro. This feature-length film offers a balanced and unflinching glance into the complex and frequently controversial world of reality television production, while also delving into the nature of exploitation, dignity, and descent into desperation. Starring Sturgis Adams, Mitchell Allen, and Chip Arndt, this film poses challenging and thought-provoking ethical questions, steering clear of facile judgment or simplification.

In American Cannibal, we are introduced to Dave Roberts and Gil Ripley. They are a pair of struggling New York television writers who have labored fruitlessly within the industry, seeing their professional aspirations slowly erode under the inescapable weight of countless rejections and continuous failures. Amidst these challenging circumstances, Dave and Gil get what seems like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. An eccentric reality television producer, Kevin Blatt (played by himself), shows interest in one of their absurd, outlandish reality show pitches, an idea dubbed ‘American Cannibal’. Blatt, who had gained notoriety for being involved in the distribution of the Paris Hilton sex tape, presents a vastly different challenge for Dave and Gil - reality TV show production.

The film documents Dave and Gil's rigorous voyage into the unforgiving world of making a reality show—their ups, downs, intense challenges, and an unforgettable, dramatic production journey in Puerto Rico. As they navigate the treacherous terrains of unscripted television production, the film captures their persistent ambivalence about the project.

The fictional 'American Cannibal,' the reality show central to the documentary, pitches the macabre concept of “Survivor, to the death”—essentially, a reality show where contestants would starve on an island and possibly be pushed to cannibalism. So controversial was this idea that it drew direct attention from sources as diverse as Fox News and The New Yorker.

The cast of this film includes contestants from existing reality shows—like Sturgis Adams from "Lost," Mitchell Allen from "Forever Eden," and Chip Arndt, the winner of The Amazing Race. Arndt, also an LGBT rights activist, brings a sense of compassion and understanding to the film, providing much-needed relief and balance in the midst of the rather disturbing concept of the reality show.

American Cannibal portrays reality television as a limitless, untamed realm where producers are willing to disregard moral boundaries to create compelling television. As the storyline of the film unfolds, the viewers will find themselves pondering whether it was television that pushed Dave and Gil to such desperate straits, or whether it was their desperation that pushed them towards reality TV. This documentary explores the intersection of art, media, and morality.

One of the striking aspects of American Cannibal is how it demonstrates the blurring line between reality and fiction, especially within television media. As the story progresses, the audience will witness how the outrageous concept of the proposed show begins to reflect in the reality of its production.

Peppered with juicier elements of reality TV such as a colorful cast and scandalous premise, American Cannibal manages to maintain an intellectual vein. The film is not merely a commentary on reality television or the entertainment industry, but a broader critique of capitalistic society where human dignity can be so easily commoditized.

In short, American Cannibal is a must-watch for fans of documentary films, especially those interested in the knotted intricacies of reality television, ethics, existentialism. It paints a stark, harrowing picture of our media-obsessed society, making it an unnerving mirror for our times. With its sharply ironic humor, the documentary serves as a wake-up call, reminding us that when it comes to television entertainment, there's always more than meets the eye. Sturgis Adams, Mitchell Allen, Chip Arndt, and others bring life to this hard-hitting documentary, which leaves viewers with a lingering sense of curiosity and perhaps, unease.