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?
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.