Today we covered performative documentary, and viewed You Take Care Now, by Anne Marie Fleming, as an example. This particular film resonated with me, in the visual style and the emotional tone of the piece. It reminded me of Ian McEwans work, something of the quality of language perhaps? On a personal note, I had my own run in with a seemingly friendly Italian male who turned out to be quite aggressive while I was studying abroad in Italy. I'm fortunate that it didn't end as badly (he forced his tongue down my throat), though it was probably luck more than anything that saved me since I was very naive and too trusting. From a formal perspective, the symbolism, language and voice were effective, and the non-literal interpretation of the events made it her experience quite powerful. There was something about the camera angle of the sky or ceiling, that made me think that both traumatic events also physically put her in a vulnerable position -- unable to move, flat on her back.

I think the subjectivity of these types of films is more of my preference, because I don't believe as filmmakers with a firm point of view, that we always have to be objective "in service of the truth" and that we can be truly objective. Most documentaries, even narrative films, have a specific story they want to tell, a clear voice to rise above the din. Very few leave it open ended for the viewer to decide for him or herself what to make of what they are shown, or avoid drawing any kind of conclusion, summary or thesis. It's like a lawyer presenting evidence to a jury, there are two sides to the story, and both sides will only present evidence that best proves their case regardless of what actually happened. And even if there is an absolute truth, because the jury was not there to witness the crime, it will be told second-hand and interpreted through our personal belief systems and experience. Reality, in my mind, is personal and subjective by our human natures, so any attempt at "truth" and "reality" is going to be relative. Of course that does not excuse our ethical responsibilities as filmmakers, but with the mass amount of reality-based media we are exposed to w/ amateur Youtube videos and network produced reality programming, I think audiences are increasingly savvy of the media maker's angle.