As we've discussed previously at the Screengrab, the documentary film is perhaps the most controversial and dynamic genre in contemporary motion pictures. While with most critics, there seems to be a consensus that we are in a sort of golden age of documentary filmmaking, with documentarians suddenly reaching the same level of fame as mainstream movie directors, and a few documentaries making a killing at the box office, others express doubts about what kinds of documentaries are being made, while some insiders are concerned about new techniques in documentary filmmaking that blur the line between fact and fiction.
One of the hot topics in the British documentary field -- and one that's sure to make it to our shores sooner rather than later -- is the fact that many documentarians, unable to secure funding from the usual Hollywood moneymen for their sometimes-controversial movies, are turning to what the Guardian calls "the third sector"; that is to say, charities, non-profit organizations, and advocacy groups. Actor/filmmaker Gael Garcia Bernal, for example, has sought the aid of a number of NGOs, media outlets, and other not-for-profits for his new documentary, Resist. In addition to traditional sources like federal arts funding, documentary filmmakers are seeking the aid of such groups to help them bypass the traiditional Hollywood financing and distribution schemes. "The involvement of charities means that not only will the film inspire people to act, but we can also give them a way to put this inspiration to use afterwards," sayds Bernal.
Less inspiring, however, are questions of conflict of interest. If a filmmaker accepts the money to make his movie from a specific charity, doesn't that make him beholden to reflect that charity's goals and interests in the film? At what point does it stop being documentary filmmaking and start becoming propaganda? Independent journalist Vaughan Smith notes, "I sense that filmmakers often want to make a film and they are not too concerned where they come from. I am a journalist and I like to see things investigated with a critical eye. I am suspicious of all organizations, including news organizations; there always needs toproper controls to protect editorial integrity."
The upside of the documentary boom is that people have more chances than ever to explore their world through film, and learn about who they are in relation to others. The downside is that it threatens to become just another bought-and-paid for advertisement.
Related Posts:
When is a Documentary Not a Documentary?
Doc Around the Clock
