ARTICLE: ‘Soaps’ Documentary Film In The Works At Amplify Pictures Exploring the Family Dynasty Behind ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’

[Errol]

Exploring the family dynasty behind the biggest and most successful soap operas, filmmaker Matt Wolf (“Teenage,” “Bayard & Me”) is directing a new documentary film titled “Soaps,” featuring a “deep dive” into the CBS daytime drama series “The Bold and the Beautiful,” reports Variety.

Bradley P. Bell
Cliff Lipson/CBS

According to the outlet, production on the documentary is currently underway in Los Angeles, with Wolf granted unprecedented access to the behind-the-scenes world of the half-hour soap helmed for more than 30 years by head writer and executive producer Bradley Bell — “The Bold and the Beautiful” along with sister soap “The Young and the Restless” was created by the Bell’s parents, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, in 1987 and 1973, respectively.

Dubbed a love letter to an often-dismissed art form and an unexpected look at the rapid-fire process by which soap operas are made, “Soaps” will explore the people who have brought television’s longest-running continuous stories that have captivated viewers around the world for nearly half a century.

​​“Soaps have built universes that generations have escaped into, but the world behind the camera is just as fascinating as the drama onscreen,” said Amplify Pictures CEO Joe Lewis, who is also a producer on the project and whose company is financing. “Matt’s films uniquely explore the intersection of creativity and legacy, and we’re thrilled to work with him on an epic look at this significant but often overlooked cultural institution.”

“When I first visited the set of ‘The Bold and the Beautiful,’ I was blown away by the Herculean effort that goes into bringing these stories to life. It’s a fascinating and unexpected world that is ripe for a documentary,” said Wolf, who also recently directed “Pee-wee as Himself,” which is set to have its world premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival on Thursday. The film follows the life of the late artist and performer Paul Reubens and his alter ego Pee-wee Herman.

“I’m so grateful to be welcomed by the Bell family, and the tight knit group of actors and behind-the-scenes crew, who tirelessly bring this show to life and have made the genre flourish,” continued Wolf, discussing his current project. “Amplify Pictures is the perfect partner because they understand the sweet spot between art and popular culture, which is the core of this project.”

“Stay tuned ‘B&B’ fans… there’s an exciting documentary taking you inside The Bold and the Beautiful like never before! Directed by: Matt Wolf.  Coming soon,” commented Casey Kasprzyk, supervising producer for “The Bold and the Beautiful” on X (formerly Twitter).

Along with Joe Lewis, “Soaps” is produced by Lauren Haber for Amplify Pictures, Matt Wolf for Polari Pictures and Lindsay Panell (“Big Vape: The Rise and Fall of Juul”). Executive producers are Rachel Eggebeen and Colin King Miller for Amplify Pictures.

Note: The post ‘Soaps’ Documentary Film In The Works At Amplify Pictures Exploring the Family Dynasty Behind ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website.

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[Maxim]

Thanks again for a great reading @Errol. I can't wait to see this Documentary. I hope they dive back to the roots of the show and the Bill Bell era.

[j swift]

Matt Wolf is a very interesting filmmaker, I would encourage anyone to seek out his other work https://mattwolf.info/

His prior docs have focused on the LA Punk scene in the 90s, teenage propaganda, and Pee Wee Herman.  So, it promises to be unique.

Edited January 23 by j swift

[Contessa Donatella]

This very possibly may not include any new information. It's Soap Opera Digest's article on the same subject, a few hours after Errol. 

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/soaps-a-new-feature-documentary-to-explore-bell-family-dynasty

[Marco Dane]

Wish they could do one for all the current and past soaps. 

[j swift]

While soaps are inarguably dismissed, I wish that someone would discuss this idea within the context of the audience. 

Much like disco was derided during its time as a musical genre.  Meanwhile, post-modern media critics discussed the ethnocentrism that favored classic rock geared toward white men and downplayed the artistic merits of music loved by gay and black audiences.  Soaps have often been dismissed because they have been written for women, or people who are outside the daily workforce. 

Soap enthusiasts typically note its role as a “learning ground” for many successful actors.  But, they rarely take umbrage with the idea that there is value to be found in an entertainment format specifically designed to entice women and their fantasies.  And the misogyny in placing less value on a genre that utilizes melodrama because of its appeal to women (and, of course, gay men), rather than “gritty” violent fantasies meant to appeal to men.

Edited January 23 by j swift

[Maxim]

I hope that documentary has taken a look at my episode reviews here in SON. They would get a lot of material from them. 

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Joking aside... I looked up the film-maker... and it looks promising.