Ren Faire

Last updated
Ren Faire
Ren-Faire-Title-Red-Title-Treatment.png
Genre Documentary
Created by
Directed byLance Oppenheim
Music byAri Balouzian
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of episodes3
Production
Executive producers
Producers
  • Abigail Rowe
  • Christian Vazquez
  • Max Allman
CinematographyNate Hurtsellers
Editors
  • Max Allman
  • Nicholas Nazmi
Running time53-58 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network HBO
ReleaseJune 2 (2024-06-02) 
June 9, 2024 (2024-06-09)

Ren Faire is a three-part American television documentary series directed and produced by Lance Oppenheim that premiered on June 2, 2024, on HBO. [1] [2] The series explores a succession crisis at America's largest Renaissance fair, the Texas Renaissance Festival. [3]

Contents

Premise

Ren Faire follows an epic power struggle at the Texas Renaissance Festival, after its founder announces his retirement. The festival's general manager and heir apparent faces off against a kettle-corn kingpin and a former elephant trainer, all vying to reshape the festival in their own vision. [4]

Cast

Featured personnel in the documentary are credited as themselves (in order of appearance):

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byOriginal air date
1"Daddy’s Dyin, Who’s Got The Will?" Lance Oppenheim June 2, 2024 (2024-06-02)
2"Make Big Choices"Lance OppenheimJune 9, 2024 (2024-06-09)
3"We're Done!"Lance OppenheimJune 9, 2024 (2024-06-09)

Release

The film had its world premiere at the South by Southwest Film Festival on March 9, 2024. [5]

Attendees of a Ren Faire screening in New York City eat large hunks of meat that HBO distributed as refreshments. Ren Faire screening.jpg
Attendees of a Ren Faire screening in New York City eat large hunks of meat that HBO distributed as refreshments.

Reception

Critical reception

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes , 100% of 14 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.90/10. [6] On Metacritic, the series holds a weighted average score of 79 out of 100, based on 10 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews". [7]

Related Research Articles

<i>Downloaded</i> (film) 2013 film

Downloaded is a documentary film directed by Alex Winter about the downloading generation and the impact of filesharing on the Internet. A teaser of the film premiered at SXSW on March 14, 2012. The feature film made its world premiere at SXSW on March 10, 2013, and was shown at other film festivals around the world. VH1 partnered with AOL to distribute the film widely and was broadcast as a VH1 Rock Docs feature in late 2014.

<i>Seduced and Abandoned</i> (2013 film) 2013 American film

Seduced and Abandoned is a 2013 documentary film directed by James Toback. The film details the journey of Toback and actor Alec Baldwin, as they try to sell a film concept at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012. Taking part in several pitch sessions with producers as well as interviews with directors and actors, the duo explore the film production aspect of film financing. The film premiered at the festival a year later on May 20, 2013.

<i>Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds</i> 2016 American film

Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds is a 2016 documentary about the relationship between entertainer Debbie Reynolds and her daughter, actress and writer Carrie Fisher. It premiered at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival and on January 7, 2017, on HBO.

<i>A Secret Love</i> 2020 documentary film by Chris Bolan

A Secret Love is an 2020 American documentary film, directed by Chris Bolan. Ryan Murphy serves as a producer on the film, while Jason Blum serves as an executive producer under his Blumhouse Productions banner. It stars Terry Donahue and Pat Henschel. It was released on April 29, 2020, by Netflix.

<i>Not Going Quietly</i> 2021 American film

Not Going Quietly is a 2021 American documentary film, directed by Nicholas Bruckman and produced by Amanda Roddy, following Ady Barkan, embarking on a national campaign for healthcare reform. Mark Duplass, Jay Duplass and Bradley Whitford serve as executive producers.

<i>Crazy, Not Insane</i> 2020 American documentary film

Crazy, Not Insane is a 2020 American documentary film directed and produced by Alex Gibney. It follows the research of psychiatrist Dr. Dorothy Otnow Lewis who studied the psychology of murders. It is narrated by Laura Dern.

<i>In the Same Breath</i> 2021 documentary film by Nanfu Wang

In the Same Breath is a 2021 documentary film directed and produced by Nanfu Wang. It follows how the Chinese and American governments reacted to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

<i>Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes</i> 2018 American film

Divide and Conquer: The Story of Roger Ailes is a 2018 American documentary film, directed and produced by Alexis Bloom. It follows the rise and fall of conservative media mogul Roger Ailes. Alex Gibney serves as an executive producer under his Jigsaw Productions banner.

<i>Introducing, Selma Blair</i> 2021 documentary film

Introducing, Selma Blair is a 2021 American documentary film directed by Rachel Fleit. It follows Selma Blair adapting to new ways of living after revealing her multiple sclerosis diagnosis.

<i>Hysterical</i> (2021 film) 2021 American film

"Hysterical" is a 2021 American documentary film, directed and produced by Andrea Blaugrund Nevins. It follows multiple comedians throughout their lives on stage and off. Judy Gold, Carmen Lynch, Kathy Griffin, Nikki Glaser, Jessica Kirson, Marina Franklin, Bonnie McFarlane, Rachel Feinstein, Lisa Lampanelli, Kelly Bachman, Iliza Shlesinger, Fortune Feimster, Sherri Shepherd and Margaret Cho appear in the film.

<i>Colin in Black & White</i> 2021 television series

Colin in Black & White is an American drama television limited series that premiered on Netflix on October 29, 2021.

Magpie is a 2024 British neo-noir film directed by Sam Yates, starring Daisy Ridley and Shazad Latif. It premiered at the 2024 South by Southwest festival on 9 March 2024.

<i>Gasoline Rainbow</i> 2023 American film

Gasoline Rainbow is a 2023 American drama film written, directed, shot, and edited by the Ross brothers. It stars Tony Abuerto, Micah Bunch, Nichole Dukes, Nathaly Garcia and Makai Garza.

It's What's Inside is a 2024 American comedy horror film written and directed by Greg Jardin. It stars Brittany O'Grady, James Morosini, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Devon Terrell, Gavin Leatherwood, Reina Hardesty, Nina Bloomgarden, and David W. Thompson.

Jerrod Carmichael Reality Show is an American documentary series directed by Ari Katcher. It follows comedian Jerrod Carmichael as he interacts with family, friends, and strangers in his quest for love, sex, and connection. It had its world premiere at South by Southwest on March 10, 2024, and premiered on HBO 19 days later.

We Were Dangerous is an 2024 New Zealand-American drama film, directed by Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu, in her directorial debut, from a screenplay by Maddie Dai. It stars Rima Te Wiata, Erana James, Nathalie Morris and Manaia Hall. Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal serve as an executive producer.

<i>Stax: Soulsville U.S.A.</i> 2024 American TV documentary series

Stax: Soulsville U.S.A. is an American documentary series directed and produced by Jamila Wignot. It follows the history of Stax Records and the impact the label has had.

Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts is a 2024 American romantic comedy drama film written and directed by Shaun Seneviratne and starring Sathya Sridharan and Anastasia Olowin.

The Black Sea is an 2024 American-Bulgarian drama film, directed by Crystal Moselle and Derrick B. Harden. It stars Derrick B. Harden, Irmena Chichikova, Samuel Finzi and Stoyo Mirkov.

<i>MoviePass, MovieCrash</i> 2024 American film

MoviePass, MovieCrash is a 2024 American documentary film, directed by Muta’Ali. It explores the rise and fall of movie subscription service, MoviePass.

References

  1. "HBO Original Documentary Series REN FAIRE Debuts June 2". Warner Bros. Discovery . May 21, 2024. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
  2. Bergeson, Samantha (January 10, 2024). "SXSW 2024 Lineup: '3 Body Problem' Premiere to Open Fest, 'The Fall Guy' Set for Centerpiece Screening, and More". Indiewire. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  3. Galuppo, Mia (January 10, 2024). "Ryan Gosling's 'Fall Guy,' '3 Body Problem' Headed to SXSW". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  4. Complex, Valerie (January 10, 2024). "SXSW Lineup Sets 'The Fall Guy', '3 Body Problem' Among Fest's 2024 World Premieres As First Titles Revealed". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  5. Butterfield, Cassie (January 19, 2024). "13 SXSW Film & TV Screenings We Can't Wait to See". Tribeza. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  6. "Ren Faire". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  7. "Ren Faire: Season 1". Metacritic . Retrieved June 4, 2024.