Cinema Verite and Direct Cinema BSA 206

Differences:

Cinema Verite

To obtain truth from the subject, the presence of the film-maker must be acknowledged or even discussed.

The principal method is participation between film-maker and subject, often through interviews.

Commentary is vital, whether in voice-over or through on-screen presence.

The audience is free to identify with the film-maker’s or the subject’s position and point of view.

The film-maker is a ‘fly in the soup’, intervening to get a response.

Direct Cinema

To obtain truth from the subject, the film-maker should be as unobtrusive as possible.

The principal method is observation of subjects behaving within their environment.

Commentary is minimal or absent so that subjects can speak for themselves.

The audience members should forget the film-makers and feel as if they’re in the room with the subjects.

The film-maker is a ‘fly on the wall’, watching but practically invisible.

Highschool (1968)

Chronicle of a summer (1960)

Went out onto the streets in Paris and asked people if they were happy.
Made without actors to films the truth of peoples lives.
Human beings were not objects

Direct Cinema

Salesman (1968)


No noticeable influence of the filmmaker
Absent voice
Documentary style, following the salesmen around their lives



Gimme Shelter (1970)

1969 free concert arrange by the Stones
Hell's Angels enlisted as security through free beer

March of the Penguins (2005)

Started as French independent production

Overlayed human emotions into the penguins lives, controversial as scientist did not believe this,

Did not wholly represent truth 

Blending Real and Unreal

- Reality Shows

- Found Footage (Blair Witch Project)

- Mockumentaries (Spinal Tap 1984)

New Zealand:

- Forgotten Silver (1995)

What We Do in the Shadows (2014) 

Directors: Taika Waititi, Jemaine Clement

I hadn't seen this movie before, however, I really enjoyed the humour and style of the movie. It  has a casual mood about it which is enhanced through the mockumentary style and comedic actors. It is evidently a low budget film, but plays well to its strengths in great writing, directing and casting. All of the characters are interesting and add to the movie overall. The style of the movie relates to both cinema Verite and Direct cinema as although the film crew do no participate directly in the movie they are referenced often, breaking the third wall and adding to the mockumentary style.