DOCUMENTARY

Documentary?

Documentary

Pare Lorentz – “A factual film that is dramatic”

Dziga Vertov “life as it is”

Types - Poetic 1920’s

Counter-model of the cinematic narrative.

Organized images of the “real world” by means of associations and patterns, in time and space.

Types- Poetic Time and images were

deconstructed into fragments that were impressionistic and lyrical.

Example: Joris Ivens Regen (1929)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvg2HH4PEDE

Types - Expository Speak directly to the viewer

(authoritative commentary).

Strong argument or point of view.

Rhetorical (try to persuade viewers).

Types - Expository “Voice of God” commentary.

Historical documentaries offer “objective” point of view.

Types - Expository Example: John Berger’s Ways of Seeing

(1974)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnfB-pUm3eI

Types - Observational Attempt to spontaneously observe life.

Arose in 1960’s when lightweight film equipment was introduced to the market.

Types - Observational Dismissed voice over, music, re-

enactments, synchronized dialogue.

Aimed for immediacy, accuracy, intimacy, and revelations of human life.

Types - Observational Example: D.A.

Pennebaker Don’t Look Back (1967)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iID1vKgBUzQ&feature=related

Types- Participatory It is impossible for the subject to NOT be

influenced by the filming.

The filmmakers are usually participants of the film.

Audience gets to see and understand how the process alters or influences the events.

Types- Participatory Cinéma vérité or “Kinopravda” (Dziga Vertov)

The truth of the encounter vs. absolute truth.

Example: Rouch and Morin Chronicles of Summer (1960)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pxk-fg771r8

Types - Reflexive Constructed representations. Discussion: How does the world get

represented by documentary?

Types - Reflexive Prompt us to question authenticity and

legitimacy. Highly skeptical of “Realism”.

Brechtian Elements

“Brechtian” alienation strategies to defamliarize what the audience is seeing.

Types - Reflexive Example: McBride and Carson David

Holtzman’s Diary (1967)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5hhrwH0p4E

Types - Performative Subjective experience, emotional

response.

Personal, unconventional.

Impose experience on the audience to lighten perspective. (Gay, Female, Minority)

Types - Performative Example: Alain Resnais Night and Fog

(1955)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeEfkPlnie0