> We've spent alot of time with Riefenstahl. Shown both OLIMPIADE's...POWER OF

> THE WILL>>>etc. The documentary about her is long, but somewhat interesting

> as well as her recently published autobiography.

> RWBrandis

 

As for traditional "film" documentaries:

 

Dealing with the same era and beyond, I might recommend MARLENE --

interesting to show what you can do with somewhat limited material

and an unwilling subject.

 

I've seen no one mention SALESMAN, a late 60's documentary about a

travelling salesman; films by LES BLANK (including BURDEN OF DREAMS,

which surpasses "Hearts of Darkness" in many respects in showing the

creative film process); or my personal favorite, SHERMAN'S MARCH.

 

I've seen some mention of MAN WITH A MOVIE CAMERA; but I would have

to point out that there is a difference between experimental and

documentary film.  MWAMC might fit into either category, but doesn't

follow a more "traditional" narrative style.  (ATOMIC CAFE might be

one that could be classified as a narrative documentary with

experimental traits.)

 

On the other hand, I'm disturbed that there's a concentration on the

"big budget", more popular-oriented works in the lists I've seen

posted here.  Video -- a medium that is revolutionizing the

documentary form by providing tools of expression to minority or

localized groups at a small cost -- is being ignored by Academia for

the most part.  The "classic" documentary of this generation won't be

shot on 16mm or 35mm, but probably on VHS, Hi-8, or DV (when it

becomes available).

 

What about laserdisk or CD-ROM "documentaries"?  Prelinger's

interactive "You Can't Get There From Here", available on laserdisk

from Voyager, is a prime example of how an audio/visual presentation

medium can be used to explore the history of a topic.  The "Sound in

Motion" CD-ROM that is based on the 16mm documentary about

contemporary poetry might also be interesting to explore as well.

 

I would have to ask -- what are you teaching _about_ the documentary

form?  It's history?  Social impact?  Technological development?

Style?  All of the above?  There's a wealth of material out there and

narrowing down the focus would certainly help students get a handle

on documentaries.  Inclusion of expansions (ie, video, CD-ROM,

interactive laserdisk) on the form (film) can provide students with a

look towards the future of the documentary and it's potential for

telling a story or sending a message to the viewer.

 

RAND

 

 

 

 

--Randy A. Riddle -- [log in to unmask] --

--http://www.infi.net/~rriddle -- Aspiring Documentary Filmmaker,

--sometimes writer for "The Front Page", and general all around squeaky wheel.

--Cool Cat Daddy Productions  --Winston-Salem, NC, -- (910) 777-0675

 

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