Comparison of 49 & Up and Two American Families

           "49 & Up" and Two American Families are similar documentaries. They are both considered observational documentaries filmed over a long period of time. Additionally, the two films are also about people’s lives; however, the focus of each documentary is very different.

The “Up series” has followed fourteen British children every seven years since they were seven in 1964. “49 & up” is the seventh installment in the series. The film spends around fifteen minutes on each person, interviewing them to see what has changed in their lives. The film includes footage of the people at the other periods in their lives to contrast where they are now. Surprisingly, most of the fourteen people have consistently participated in the filming. Only one completely stopped filming after the age of 21, Charles. At the end of each interview in “49 & Up,” the camera crew was asked if they felt the film was important.  Of the interviews I watched many of them agreed that they could understand why the series is entertaining for others. However, while some do feel the documentary series has importance many of the others don’t agree.

“Two American Families” chronicles the lives of two ordinary families, one black and one white, for over twenty years. These two families embody the hopes and dreams of millions of Americans. The film captures the struggling middle class through these two families. Between 1991 and 2000 Bill Moyer returns every 2 years to catch up with the families and then he returns again in 2012. Both families had many things in common, at least one parent from each family had worked in factories but were laid off when production moved to a 3^rd world country because of reduced labor costs. Both families experience  the trails of a struggling economy through home foreclosures, unexpected medical bills, and strained or fractured marital ties.

Both films were very interesting looks into the lives of “normal” people. “Two American Families definitely hit home for me because that is the time I was growing up. I never specifically remember my parents struggling with money but I know they did. I could identify with the Neumann children because both my parents worked full time and I often came home to an empty house. However, I always loved it because I got time to myself before my sisters and parents arrived. Overall, I love the idea of filming people over a long period time because it fulfills that nosy side every human being has. It is a lot like what reality television tries to do today.

Life & Debt

         "Life & Debt" depicts life in Jamaica, starting after 1962 when Jamaica won its independence from the United Kingdom. Through many interviews with public officials and the people of Jamaica you learn that the island nation has long struggled with poverty but have attempted to use its agricultural resources in order to create a sound economic base. However, their financial problems grew worse over time and the Prime Minister Michael Manley struck a deal in 1977 with the International Monetary Fund. They would loan money to the nation in exchange for removal of trade restrictions and subsidized exports. After twenty-five years, most Jamaicans would have to agree that the deal broke the island’s agricultural and industrial economy. Through this film, filmmaker Stephanie Black examines the sad state of Jamaica’s economy and the lives of its people in the middle of globalization. More importantly she compares the lives of the Jamaica people to  those who come to Jamaica for vacation. This contrast between the to the lives of the Jamaican’s and the tourist gives the viewer a way to best understand the impact Jamaica’s economy is having on its people. The narration over the tourist scenes from the Jamaica Kincaid novel,  “A Small Place” though condescending at times is very effective at getting the audience to truly think about this story from the perspective of the Jamaican people. Overall, this was a wonderfully put together documentary and it definitely wins its argument in the end. 

Cane Toads

“Cane Toads: An Unnatural History” is an interesting documentary about the introduction of Hawaiian sugar-cane toads to Australia. They were initially introduced to control the cane grub that was destroying the sugar cane fields. Turns out the one thing they actually wouldn’t eat were the cane grub but they would multiply like no one’s business. The spread of the cane toad also happened because it has no natural enemies in Australia at all, partly due to their poisonous skin. Through reenactments and interviews, the film tells you everything you could ever want to know about cane toads, from their sex lives to their eating habits (they eat cat food).  The film has interviews with people from both sides. First, with those who love cane toads and keep them as pets, feed them, or just watch them for pleasure. Then there are those who despise them with a passion, which is usually due to a traumatic event they had with a cane toad. For example, a common reason is the lost of a pet because it tried to eat the toad. Which give the viewer the ability to decide which side of the argument they are on. Either way the film is nicely paced, very interesting and well shot. The films characters and the way it was cut and shot gives the audience the idea that it is a satirical film. One of my favorite insistences of this is when the police officer was talking about the effects of cane toad drugs and he says it “can make you stupid” and then it cuts to the guy who does the toad drugs, and he can’t form a sentence. I laughed out loud. I also enjoyed the all of the toad POV shots. “Cane Toads: An Unnatural History” is a hilariously entertaining documentary.   

A Brief History of Errol Morris

“A Brief History of Errol Morris” tells the stories of American documentary filmmaking Errol Morris. The film takes an interesting approach by explaining him through his films. The film starts with a look at Morris as a college student Morris says, “I was incredibility unsuccessful student at a number of schools and instead of going to class I went to movies.” Morris became obsessed with watching movies. This is probably why he was so picky about the way his films look because he had an idea of what a non-fiction film should look like. For “Gates of Heaven” he went through 3 cameramen (one was working for free) until he found one. As he progressed through his films “Vernon Florida” and “The Thin Blue Line” he skills to speak to people became very important to the success of his films and also a lifeline and being able to make money to make his films. To make money for “The Thin Blue Line” he worked as a private detective. According to his friend he is great at getting things out of people because “he won’t fill the silence.” In many of his films like “A Brief History of Time” and “Fast Cheap and Out of Control” Morris shows people who are obsessive about things. It makes you wonder if he’s judging them but I think he identifies with them, which in a narcissistic way, is the reason he finds them interesting. This is reflected in his obsession to have people look directly into the lens. Morris says, “I think eye contact is really important. It gives that dramatic value. You know when someone is looking at you. You know when you connect.” Due to this Morris built the interrotron, which is a device that is similar to a teleprompter. Errol and his subject each sit facing a camera and the image of each person’s face is then projected onto a two-way mirror positioned in front of the lens of the other’s camera. So they are looking at each other but they are actually looking straight into the lens. Morris said, “The beauty of this is that it allows people to do what they do best mainly watch television. It’s the television set that cares. It’s the television set that really wants to know more about you.” Lastly, Morris discusses “Mr. Death” about a man who makes execution equipment for a living. Morris talks about how it’s not an accident that he was attracted to Fred because of his upbringing. He reveals that he came from a family with a lot of tragedy, his father died when he was two years old. This has become his reasoning for his almost obsessive interest in Death. In my opinion there characteristics that most well known documentary makers fit and much like Wiseman Morris’ definitely has those characteristics of intelligence, headstrong, picky, and inventive.

Tongues United

A Marlon Rigg film            

         

           “Tongues United” is an autobiographical peformative documentary chronicling filmmaker Marlon Riggs’ journey towards finding his identity as a gay black man. Riggs shows this through reenactment, prose, poetry, song, rap, wordplay, dance, and first person narrative all cut together to give the viewer a look into the life of an African-American gay man. Most of the film has Riggs directly facing the camera in a mid shot or close up against a black background. The most emotional scene for me was the one where Riggs recalls his childhood and the homophobic taunts he endured. The camera cuts rapidly from extreme close ups of mouths swearing insults and then back to Riggs’ face. Then scene then ends on just his pained eyes. Emotional scenes like these are intercut with lighter, humorous sequences, which offer a look into black gay life and common stereotypes. My favorite was “Snapthology,” which was like an instructional video on how to successfully finger snap. I couldn’t help but try the different snaps, however, then you realize that this skill has most likely development as a form of defense against the hostile culture these men have to endure on a daily basis. “Tongues United” is a controversial, yet brilliant and highly political look a racism and homophobia in United States. Through this perfomative piece Riggs is able to capture the emotions of the viewer and let them see a little into the life of a black gay man. It was definitely an eye opener.