In today session we had a look at a range of experimental documentaries, each one different from the last. Some about the individual, a fly on the wall type approach whereas others were told almost in the form of a story. The two that I will be looking at here will be Steel House by Eva Weber and Christmas with Dad by Conor McCormack and I will be answering a range of questions about them both.
1. Identify the themes of the film, what is the directors primary aim?
SH: A key theme that stood out to me in this film would be individualism. How the people we saw coming to their “Steel Homes” were alone, how no one else could connect to what they kept in the storage areas and I think this was part of the director’s aim.
CWD: I think the aim of this movie was to focus on a radical but loveable family and therefore I would state that family and togetherness were the key themes. I think this was heavily highlighted especially because the film was set at Christmas.
2. Describe what you feel is the films main focus.
SH: The focus of this movie was on the desolate environment of these steel homes and the people that stole away there every now again and the stories that they had behind each individual locker.
CWD: At first I was going to say that it would be about a stitched together family and how they get on with life through their disagreements and trouble but once you dive deeper then I would say ultimately it’s about keeping the happiness alive regardless of what situation you’re in.
3. Did you like/dislike the film and why?
SH: Yes, it was a clever way to explore what people keep in their storage spaces and why whilst keeping it light.
CWD: At first I did like it, thinking that the characters were generic middle classers with family problems, but as I watched on, the characters and their lives became more enrapturing and you played a fly on the wall to what was their life.
4. Was the film successful/unsuccessfdul in dealing with its subject and why?
SH: I think it was especially because of the way they used the camera, being careful not to focus on faces or get to close to the open lockers. Keeping with the theme of how no one but the characters could connect with what they had in their lockers and why.
CWD: I think the point of the documentary took a bit too long to get to its point, so for a while you’re just watching it with no real thought or understanding of the point, until you get to the end. That’s when the clarity arrives.
5. Was there an element in the film that stood out to you?
SH: Primarily the way that the camera was used; the hidden camera type shots, out of focus shots, extreme close up or long shots. Not really giving you a moment to zone in on the individual.
CWD: The naturalness of the documentary and the interview with the main character; the dad.
6. How does the film "Form" (Structure and style) relate to its "Content" (Theme and subject matter)?
SH: The films structure is very choppy, there are a bunch of random unrelated shots that still work to tell the story of unrelated people with a relatable “hobby”
CWD: The style of this documentary is quite serious, the hand held shots give it a realistic feel whilst at the same time allowing you to be an audience member in their lives, and in context of the subject it helps us to empathise more with their story and relate to what’s happening.
7. Discuss two techniques used in the film which you found interesting - why do you think this approach was used?
SH: The use of voiceovers to get the point across as opposed to having both interviews and voiceovers. As well as having nameless faces to portray the mystique behind each steel door.
CWD: The mix between being involved and being an onlooker in the film as an audience.
8. Is the way tsound is used appropriate/successful for the film and why?
SH: There wasn’t a distinctive soundtrack used, just sounds from the environment and a non-descriptive backing to the voiceovers.
CWD: It was sort of an ironic type soundtrack, It was a childlike jovial type of, music that was juxtaposed well with the content.
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