|
COPYRIGHT 2004 Publishers' Development Corporation
Filmmaker Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine won an Oscar for Best Documentary of 2002. If, like me, you have avoided seeing this because you have heard Moore is anti-gun or can't stand his particular form of film "journalism," I recommend you rent it and watch it. There are things to be learned from it.
Bowling is ostensibly about Mr. Moore's search for answers to the question: why is there so much gun violence in America? He considers, questions and rejects commonly given answers, and ultimately proposes one of his own. In particular, he argues persuasively the availability and number of guns in America is NOT the problem. Nevertheless, much of his presentation vilifies the NRA and, by his choice of the gun owners he chooses to portray as spokesmen for the right to keep and bear arms, presents gun owners in an unfavorable light.
Documentaries purport to simply, truthfully document their subject matter. Nevertheless, the manner in which this is done can uncover hidden or uncomfortable truths. or convey a powerful moral judgment upon the subject matter. One of the key techniques used to convey a message or viewpoint in a documentary is juxtaposition. Separate images, words or events are juxtaposed or overlaid in a manner that has the effect of providing...
Read the full article for free courtesy of your local library.
|
Bookmark this article
Print this article
Link to this article
Email this article
Digg It!
Add to del.icio.us
RSS
