Doc. Talk

I am currently teeter-tottering between two documentaries: introducing one of the adolescent Syrian refugees OR the pollution status of White Rock Lake. The direction is not set in stone due to a lack of opportunity, rather than decisiveness. If I am contacted back by the International Rescue Committee within the week, I'll run with the first idea. Otherwise, I'll pursue the second.

Awareness is the first step toward acceptance. Given the fact these refugees only arrived a couple months ago, they are battling with the predispositions of prejudice people, who see them and think "war." It's this exact reason I find the film idea both compelling and necessary. The hero will undoubtedly be the young Syrian refugee, presented as an observational documentary. Visual aspects with feature the "day-to-day" life of said subject. 

The question regarding White Rock Lake's current cleanliness increases by the year, as well as the surrounding pollution. If I were to run with this idea, the hero would be one person dedicated to cleaning the lake. A devout member of "For the Love of the Lake" could easily serve as that. It would be expository in make-up, leaving the viewer with a solidified opinion based off the evidence presented in the film. White Rock is a naturally visually compelling location, and I would most likely include a time-lapsed shot of sunrise or sunset. 

For now- the waiting game.

Over the past weekend, I watched the film "Stories We Tell." Throughout it, whenever they were talking about Sarah Polley, the mom, old film archives would play. Not only was it visually compelling, but the hero being the mother provided for an authentic connection between audience and film. This observational documentary was rated poorly, however, I personally found it inherently beautiful in its simplicity.

"Breathless" Review

Film by: Jean-Luc Godard

Thought to be one of the main benefactors in the French New Wave Movement, "Breathless" follows the tribulations of a city-thug named Michel and his encounters with the law. Patricia, his devout girlfriend and aspiring journalist, contributes through a faltering support. After Michele kills a policeman while driving his car, he turns to Patricia for support. In the end, she betrays him in order to give a better life to her child, and he is shot before being sent off to prison. 

Jean Luc-Godard accomplishes this cinematic classic through directing without a distinct narrative or direction. The camerawork is handheld and it yields an overall naturalistic effect. While on the other side of the camera, Jean would tell the actors what to say based off his emotional standing at the point of the scene, then dub over the original work with a voice-over. Basically, every aspect of "Breathless" was revolutionary at that time and became the foundation for what film is today. 

One of the most influential films I have ever seen is "Jeff Who Lives at Home." Yes, the production and cinematography are both average, however the movie's content changed my perspective on relationships and events. I truly believe everything is interconnected and happens for a reason. I can easily accredit that realization to the film.