In this feature-length film on the art of the documentary, director Pepita Ferrari interviews 33 leading documentarians and shows clips from over 50 films. From cinéma-vérité pioneers like Albert Maysles and Michel Brault to mavericks like Errol Morris and Nick Broomfield, it explores the challenges of capturing reality on film. Directors as diverse as Pakistani feminist Sabiha Sumar and new media guru Peter Wintonick reflect on ethical issues and the contested status of the “truth.”
Featured interviews include German iconoclast Werner Herzog; Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzmán; British director Kim Longinotto and Alanis Obomsawin, the First Lady of First Nations cinema.
Visit Capturing Reality for additional interviews and background.
Ages 13 to 17
Media Education - Documentary Film
Media Education - Film and Video Production
Students should use one or more of the aesthetic approaches shown in the film to produce a documentary on a subject in their environment. They should also explain their artistic choices and prove that these choices let them show reality as faithfully as possible. A panel can then be set up to discuss the choices and their relevance.