Perhaps I’m being difficult, but I’m not deriving pleasure from documentaries the way I used to. I realize I’m speaking in generalities, please humor me.
I find the presentation of most modern docs so hyperdramatic and forced, it detracts from the underlying subject matter.
I would prefer if documentaries tried their best to collect and present information in a fascinating way, and present it as reasonably neutral as possible, with some leeway for the author’s voice. I don’t appreciate it when the superficial presentation constantly tries to cue me emotionally.
I really don’t understand why I have to have violen symphony music playing like it’s the eve of world war 3, and all the nukes are about to be launched, when I’m watching a documentary about snail parasites or particle collider research.
Even though it’s different auditorially, to me it’s the same principle as applying a laugh track to a comedy show. I don’t need it suggested to me when something is funny, and I don’t need to be cued by string orchestra music that something is serious or worrisome. Please trust me to make these judgments on my own!
I think all trends ebb and flow but this one seems to have taken root and it’s doesn’t seem to be letting up.
I wonder if other people feel this way, or if I’m just watching the wrong things?
I totally agree and have stopped watching many documentaries after just a few minutes usually because of too much heavy handed narration.
I’ve really enjoyed documentaries such as All That Breathes and Honeyland, which have basically no narration. Of course the editing tells a certain story, and if you’re curious you may need to go to Wikipedia or something to answer some questions, but I prefer that to having loaded commentary shoved down my ears.
I appreciate that suggestion, I will definitely look into it! I’m intrigued by the idea of there being little narration.
Just tonight I tried to watch another documentary, and I think it’s what spurred my post. My grievance was exactly what you’re describing.
At one point they were talking about divers collecting a sample from the ocean floor, and the narration was underscoring how critical it was they do the dive while conditions are still safe, and how the waves could increase in intensity, increasing the danger manyfold! And it’s like okay… so what’s really happening is that these guys are taking some scuba tanks and they’re going to go down 30 ft and everything’s going to be fine cuz nothing’s happening here. (Edit: of course, accompanied by pounding string orchestra music)
Yes, the emotion distracts from what’s happening and prevents you noticing your own real reactions and connecting the story.
I just realized those two I suggested are mostly subtitled. I’ve also enjoyed I think it’s DW? Documentaries from Germany I think but covering all kinds of things. Some are short form. They have narration, but less of the discovery channel type. God, have you seen the History Channel. My kid in high school has to watch those, complete garbage
Honeyland is an amazing documentary film. There’s no narration in it, but it’s shot beautifully. It pretty much looks like a feature.
I was surprised to find out it was true after watching it! The Wikipedia page is crazy: no one in the crew spoke Turkish so they had no idea what was being said until they were editing. They did ask the nomads to recreate one scene that I thought was just a little too neat. The story is almost a fable it’s amazing to know that real life is like that sometimes.
Yeah I remember reading some audiences at film festivals were also confused about whether it’s a feature or a documentary. I think it’s by far the best thing that came out in the region in years. I can’t wait to see what the director duo behind this do next. Can you believe it was their debut? It’s incredible.