A World Apart Films

Documentary Film

Documentary can be defined as: presenting facts objectively without editorializing or inserting fictional matter, as in a book or film. Soviet pioneer, documentary film director and cinema theorist, Dziga Vertov (1896-1954); was central to the Soviet Kino-Pravda (literally, “cinema truth”). He defined documentary as presenting “life as it is” and “life caught unawares” (life provoked or surprised by the camera). Vertov, believed the camera – with its varied lenses, shot editing, time-lapse, ability to slow motion, stop motion and fast motion; could render reality more accurately than the human eye.

Documentaries present political, social or historical subject matter; often consisting of actual news films or interviews accompanied by narration. Documentary stands out from other types of non-fiction films, because it provides a reality, an opinion, and a specific message, along with facts.

In the mid 1950’s, a documentary film movement emerged in England. The Father of the, “Free Cinema” movement, Karl Reisz along with filmmakers Lindsay Anderson, Tony Richardson and Lorenza Mazzetti’s, created cinema that was absence of propaganda intent or deliberate box office appeal. The films were ’free’ in the sense that they were made outside the confines of the film industry and were distinguished by their style and attitude and by their conditions of the production. The films were made cheaply, mostly with grants from the British Film Institute.

In the late 1950’s and early 60’s, French filmmakers rebelled against, studio-based film production constraints. Filmmakers such as: Jean Rouch and Chris Marker, created cinema that conveyed candid realism; provocative, dramatic, raw and gritty. The term, “Cinéma Vérité”, means, roughly, “cinema of truth.” This style of filmmaking shows people in everyday situations; authentic dialog, and naturalness of action; stylized cinematic devices for camera work and editing; staged set-ups, and the use of the camera to provoke subjects. Shooting the film first and discovering it later in the editing room is the notion behind “Cinéma Vérité.”There are no actors, no scripts, and no sets. French Filmmakers were influenced and inspired by the Italian Neorealism era (1944-1952). This style of filmmaking took the camera out of the studios and into the streets. The films presented economical and moral conditions of post World War II Italy, reflecting the changes in the Italian psych and the conditions of everyday life; poverty and desperation.

American documentarians: Richard Leacock, D.A Pennebaker, Albert and David Maysles, Frederick Wiseman, Robert Drew, Barbara Kopple, Ken and Ric Burns; adopted the technique of,” Cinéma Vérité”, which their style of documentary filmmaking became known as’ “Direct Cinema.” Some of the directors took a different viewpoint from the French, in that, they chose non-involvement (or at least no overt involvement), while “Cinéma Vérité”, favors direct involvement or even provocation when deemed necessary. Leacock created six rules for filmmakers to use when producing documentary films:

Leacock’s Lessons

1.     No camera tripod ( camera must be handheld)

2.     No lights (natural lighting)

3.     No questions

4.     Never ask anybody anything (let conversations unfold naturally)

5.     Give us the feeling of being their

6.     Look, Look, Look (Shoot, Shoot, Shoot)

“Candid Eye” Cinema

Canadian Filmmaker and co-inventor of the Imax, Roman Kroitor co-produced, with Wolf Koenig, the “Candid Eye” direct cinema documentary, Paul Anka: Lonely Boy (1962). The “Cinéma Vérité” style documentary is unique for its use of hand-held cameras to record intimate backstage moments during Anka’s concert performances. The use of portable film and sound gear, with lack of narration voice-over, would influence, D. A Pennebakers’s documentary film about legendary American singer-songwriter, painter and poet, Bob Dylan; titled Don’t Look Back (1967). The documentary covers Dylan’s 1965, United Kingdom concert tour. Dylan has been a major influence on popular music. Dylan’s early lyrics incorporated political, social and philosophical as well as literary influences. His songs often took as their subject matter; contemporary, real life stories. He has explored many traditions of American song: folk, blues, country, jazz, swing, gospel, rock and roll, rockabilly to English, Scottish and Irish folk music. Dylan and singer, Joan Baez were both prominent in the 1960’s civil rights movement; singing together at the March on Washington, in 1963, where Martin Luther King delivered his, “I Have a Dream” speech. “Don’t Look Back” is a fascinating exercise in self-revelation carried out by Bob Dylan and friends. In 1998, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by The Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.

Directed by Terry Zwigoff, Crumb (1994), is a documentary film about noted underground comic artist Robert Crumb and his family. Crumb is recognized for the distinctive style of his drawings and his critical, satirical, subversive view of the American mainstream. One of his recognized works is the “Keep on Trucking” comic. He illustrated the album covers “Cheap Thrills” (1968), and the compilation album, The Music Never Stopped: Roots of the Grateful Dead (1995). Other notable characters are the Devil Girls, Fritz the Cat, and Mr. Natural. Crumb was one of the first contributors to the “Adult Oriented” comic magazine, Zap (1968). One of the most notable features was the story “Whiteman”, which detailed the inner torment seething within lusty, fearful hearts of an outwardly upright American. The film unfolds Crumbs bazaar sexual obsession, shown through his illustrations. In some of his comics, men are fixated on women with beautiful buttocks, and they dream of ridding them piggyback. Many of his comic strips are intensely violent, sadistic and hateful towards woman; pornographic - “an arrested juvenile vision”. The film is one of the most remarkable and haunting documentaries ever made. It reveals how someone damaged by life can make the most amazing adjustments in order to find peace.

Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991), chronicles how production problems during the making of the epic war film, set in Vietnam; Apocalypse Now (1979), nearly destroyed the life and career of famed director, Francis Ford Coppola. Director by Eleanor Coppola, the source material for the documentary contains explicit footage of the day to day production; behind the scenes trials and tribulation; as well as interviews with the original cast and crew.  The film was shot in the Philippines, which the production was plagued by numerous problems, including:  typhoons, nervous breakdowns; actor Martin Sheen’s heart attack; and the firing of actor Harvey Keitel. The film nearly bankrupted Coppola’s nascent studio American Zoetrope. Hearts of Darkness is a riveting documentary that shows the blood, sweat and tears that it took to create one of Hollywood’s greatest masterpieces. Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse, won two Academy of Television Arts and Sciences awards for “Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming – Directing” and “Outstanding Individual Achievement – Informational Programming – Picture – Editing.” The documentary also won the American Cinema Editors Award and The International Documentary Association Award.

“Stand Up and Sing” (2006) is a very controversial documentary on the all-woman Texas-based country music trio, the Dixie Chicks. They had sold more albums in the United States than any other female band in history, which they were on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart with their new single, “Travelin Soldier.” The song explored a sensitive depiction of a soldier’s life during the Vietnam War era, and the young woman who waited for him; finding he was killed in battle. In 2003, while on tour in London, lead singer, Natalie Maines criticized then President George Bush; she told the audience the band did not support the war in Iraq and that they were ashamed that President Bush was from their home state, Texas. Once the London media published the remarks, conservative groups in the U.S. rallied against the Dixie Chicks and a firestorm of criticism followed. This lead to intense scrutiny, physical threats, hate mail, boycotts from the public and radio stations. Prior to a Dallas, Texas concert appearance, Natalie received a threatening letter stating that she needs to just, “Shut Up and Sing,” or she would be shot dead. Directed by Barbara Kopple and Cecilia Peck, the award winning documentary follows the Dixie Chicks for three years while they face one of the largest public backlashes in history, and still try to maintain marriages, family and career,

The documentary, Born into Brothels: Calcutta’s Red Light Kids (2004), is a film about the children of prostitutes who work and live in one of India’s red light district. The director, Zana Briski originally set out to photograph prostitutes in ghetto’s, but became enthralled with the stigmatized children who are brought up in the environment. Briski befriended the children and offered to teach the children photography to reciprocate being allowed to photograph their mothers. The children were given cameras so they could learn photography and possibly improve their lives. Briski became enthralled with trying to help the children with their futures, by trying to place them in boarding schools. Co-director and photographer, Ross Kaufman persuaded Briski to become part of the story, documenting her struggles. After battling India’s bureaucracy, Briski had to persuade the mothers to let their children leave the brothels behind. An exhibit of the children’s photography has raised more than $85,000 to help finance their education. The film won a string of accolades; including the Academy Award for Documentary Feature.

Michael Moore is an Academy Award winning filmmaker, author and liberal political commentator. Moore is a self-described liberal who has criticized globalization, large corporations, gun ownership, the American health care system, the Iraq War, and U.S. President George W. Bush. Moore has produced and directed three of the top highest-grossing documentaries of all time. Bowling for Columbine (2002), brought Moore international attention as a rising filmmaker. The documentary film explores what Moore suggest are the causes for the Columbine High School massacre, and other acts of violence with guns. Moore focuses on the background and environment in which the massacre took place and some common public opinions and assumptions about related issues. The film looks into the nature of violence in the United States. Bowling for Columbine won numerous awards including; the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, The Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary Feature and The César Award for Best Foreign Film. Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004) takes a critical look at the presidency of George W. Bush, the War on Terrorism, and its coverage in the American news media. The film’s attack on the Bush Administration generated much controversy around the time of the film’s release, including disputes over its accuracy. In response, Moore published an extensive list of facts and sources for the film on his website. The film holds the record for highest box office receipts by general release political films. The documentary film, Sicko (2007) investigates the American health care system; focusing on its health insurance and pharmaceutical industry. The film compares the for-profit, non universal U.S system with the non-profit universal health care systems of Canada, the United Kingdom, France and Cuba. According to the film, almost fifty million American are uninsured and those who are covered are often victims of insurance company fraud and red tape. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Moore has been the center of much controversy; most of which are focused on his film content. Never-the-less he is considered one of the most successful producers and directors of documentary films.

Super Size Me (2004), is an Academy Award nominated documentary feature film, directed by American Independent filmmaker, Morgan Spurlock. The documentary follows a 30-day time period, during which he eats only McDonald’s food. The film documents the drastic effects on Spurlock’s physical and psychological well being, and explores the fast food industry’s corporate influence: including how it encourages poor nutrition for its own profit. He dines at McDonald’s restaurants three times per day, sampling every item on the chains menu. He also “super-sized” his meal when asked. Spurlock gained 24 ½ lbs, 13% body mass increase, and his cholesterol level rose to 230. He experience mood swings, sexual dysfunction, and liver damage. It took Spurlock fourteen months to lose the weight gained from his experiment. The stated driving force for Spurlock’s investigation was the increasing spread of obesity throughout the United States, which the Surgeon General declared an “epidemic.”

Cinéma Vérité goes Hollywood

This is Spinal Tap (1984) is a mock rockumentary, starring members of the fictional heavy-metal/hard rock British band, Spinal Tap; a parody heavy metal band that first appeared on the failed 1979, ABC TV sketch comedy pilot “The T.V. Show,” starring Rob Reiner. The sketch was actually a mock promotional video for the song “Rock and Roll Nightmare. The film covers a United States concert tour of the group, who was promoting their new album Smell the Gloves, but interspersed with one-on-one interviews with the members of the group and footage of the group from previous points in their career. The film stars American actors Michael Mckean and Harry Shearer, and British American actor, Christopher Guest. The movie is shown in the style of a documentary, filmed and directed by the fictional Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner). Several dozen hours of footage were shot before Reiner edited it down to the released film. This is Spinal Tap, was only a modest success upon its initial release. Audience feedback cards from early screens had comments such as “Too Shaky, Get new cameraman.” The film found success, and a cult following, after it was released on video. In 2002, the film was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.”

The Blair Witch Project (1994) is said to be the first widely released film marketed primarily on the internet. The film was shot in a mixture of black and white and color film, with shaky handheld camera movements and only natural lighting.  The narrative is presented as a documentary pieced together from amateur footage. The film follows film students: Heather Donahue, Michael Williams, and Joshua Leonard, who go missing while making a documentary about the Blair Witch, a legendary creature believed to haunt the woods near Burkittsville, Maryland. The three disappear soon after, and their bodies are never found. A year later, the footage the students shot had been recovered, which the film in its entirety is composed of fragments of that footage. Much of the plot is open to the viewer’s interpretation, including the finale; few concrete indications are given to the eventual fate of the three filmmakers. The Blair Witch Project was positively received by critics and went on to gross over $248 million worldwide, making is the most successful independent film at the time. It also had the highest ratio of box office sales to production cost in American Filmmaking history.

Academy Award Winning Documentaries           

2000’s

2008: Man on Wire

2007: Taxi to the Dark Side

2006: An Inconvenient Truth

2005: March of the Penguins

2004: Born into Brothels

2003: Fog of War

2002: Bowling for Columbine

2001: Murder on a Sunday Morning

2000: Into the Arms of Strangers:

           Stories of kindertransport

1990’s

1999: One Day in September

1998: The Last Days

1997: The Long Way Home

1996: When We Were Kings

1995: Anne Frank Remembered

1994: Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision

1993: I am a Promise:

 The Children of Stanton Elementary School    

1992: The Panama Deception

1991: In the Shadows of the Stars

1990: American Dream