The Truth Of Documentary Filmmaking
People are usually compelled to film a documentary because they want to inform the world about something they think is worth learning about. Topics can cover a large range, from objects to places, the well-publicized to the obscure and so forth. There are different reasons why one would want to inform others about a certain topic. Some want explain more in-depth about a subject, providing details that people might not necessarily know about and find fascinating. Other times the motivation behind documentary filmmaking is to present an expos? that challenges conventional notions of a subject.
Documentary filmmaking is meant to be about revealing the truth. Documentaries are real. Documentaries present real facts about real people, places and things, illuminating what is hidden and shining a brighter light on what isn?t. Documentary films are often meaningful and poignant because they are true to life though admittedly, the addition of soothing narration and emotional music can contribute to the impact of a documentary as well.
However, documentaries shouldn?t automatically be taken at face-value. Even if documentaries are showing you real things, they are not showing you reality in its entirety. What you see is a more realistic cinematic interpretation of the world. A good documentary will objectively incorporate multiple points of view or let the footage speak for itself without bias. Unfortunately, sometimes documentaries can present not an interpretation, but a manipulation of real-life situations. This doesn?t necessarily mean that the intentions of the filmmaker are malicious or ill-meaning. Even if documentary filmmaking has an earnest and righteous purpose, it has the ability to edit the truth in its favor, albeit in a positive direction. A positive bias is bias nevertheless, and regardless of how things should be or how we want them to be, documentary filmmaking is supposed to portray things as they are. If something is true, then the circumstances should reveal it on its own. Maybe it?s not that simple, and that?s why a documentary has to be made in the first place, but then maybe the ?truth? is a lot more complicated than what?s right or wrong.
Documentary filmmaking is a viable depiction of life, but it can?t carry the burden of truth on its own. Documentaries are merely instruments and vehicles. They depend on the people who produce it, and the people who are the audience to it?because ultimately, we are the only ones who can convey truth and perceive it.