Filmmaker Theories Flashcards
What style of cinema does Peter Watkins pioneer?
Docudrama
A style that blends documentary and drama, often using reconstruction.
What are the key features of Peter Watkins’ work?
- Experimental
- Provocative
- Controversial
- Polemical
- Socially-conscious
What techniques does Peter Watkins often use in his films?
- Newsreel-type footage
- Voice-over narration
- Roving hand-held camerawork
- Fourth-wall-breaking sequences
- Use of amateur actors
What themes does Peter Watkins frequently focus on?
- Political themes
- Historical themes
How does Peter Watkins challenge the role of mass media?
By questioning how it controls mediums and messages
What are some notable films by Peter Watkins?
- Culloden (1964)
- The War Game (1965)
- Punishment Park (1971)
What is a key characteristic of the documentary ‘Stories We Tell’?
Experimental film form and narrative
How does ‘Stories We Tell’ interrogate the concept of truth?
By questioning whether we can trust what we see
In what way does ‘Stories We Tell’ differ from Watkins’ work?
It is not politically conscious and is more personal
What cinematic techniques does ‘Stories We Tell’ employ?
- Bold and vivid collage
- Montage
- Clashing aesthetics
What similarities exist between Peter Watkins’ work and ‘Stories We Tell’?
- Use of reconstruction
- Making fictional moments feel realistic
What is Nick Broomfield known for in his documentary style?
Participatory approach
What is a key aspect of Broomfield’s reflexive style?
It reflects its own making
How does Broomfield encourage subjects to be more truthful?
By appearing chaotic and faux-naive
What does Broomfield believe about the truth in documentary filmmaking?
It emerges from the interaction between filmmakers, subjects, and spectators
What are some notable films by Nick Broomfield?
- Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer (1992)
- Heidi Fleiss: Hollywood Madam (1995)
- Kurt and Courtney (1998)
- Biggie and Tupac (2002)
In what way does ‘Stories We Tell’ reflect Broomfield’s participatory approach?
Sarah Polley places herself in front of the camera
What aspect of ‘Stories We Tell’ is reflexive?
It explores the process of its own making
How does Polley’s approach differ from Broomfield’s?
Polley adopts a sterner, more serious persona
What type of approach does Broomfield typically use in interviews?
Gonzo approach
What key component does ‘Stories We Tell’ use that Broomfield does not?
Reconstruction
What question is raised about documentaries at the end of the text?
Can documentaries ever represent the truth?
