Film
Our Growing Obsession with the Documentary - and the Attempts by Streaming Services to Capitalise On It.
The documentary film is one that has continuously proven itself as an essential tool in the enlightenment of the contemporary population. In recent years, numerous documentary films have provided an insight into a wide range of themes, conundrums and issues within our modern existence. Topics from social injustice to warfare have been investigated within many of these documentaries. As such, it has become a great resource in educating and informing citizens about the world in which they are entrenched. The documentary film has the ability to confront some of the most uncomfortable, harrowing and thought-provoking aspects of our existence. Therefore, the power of the documentary film should not be overlooked.
With the increased reliance on streaming services due to the COVID-19 pandemic, major streaming services have incorporated the documentary film within their media platforms. In recent years, there has undoubtedly been a huge influx in documentary films appearing on streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime. However, a certain type of documentary has found its home within these major streaming services. In particular, Netflix has a wide range of documentary series surrounding true crime and miscarriages of justice. It seems as though a new documentary series surrounding crime is uploaded to the platform every week. Such a large influx in this category of documentary film begs the question - why are audiences so intrigued by crime, murder, death and the illegalities of contemporary existence? But even more interesting, why do streaming platforms attempt to capitalise on this fascination?
Of course, such streaming services are at their core a business, and so their main preoccupation is to ensure that people consume the media that they upload. Therefore, the multiplication of such crime documentaries is a reaction to what Netflix and AppleTV know will garner viewership. Audience fascination and intrigue with crime documentaries encourages streaming services to upload and create content that reflects this. However, what is left as a result is an abundance of poorly-made, half-hearted attempts at documentary filmmaking. Oftentimes, these documentaries seem to be made purely to attract viewership and are less concerned with creating impactful, resonant and poignant meditations on contemporary existence. This over-saturation of mediocre documentary on such platforms provides contemporary audiences with stories that forget to reflect ideas of our existence. We are left with a story with no dimensionality to it other than telling a story. Such documentaries lack greater reflection and deliberation on society as a whole. This is what documentary should be about - the enlightenment of our existence. Unfortunately, major streaming services have thwarted documentarian John Grierson’s vision as the documentary film as one of education.
As a society, we must pivot away from these one-dimensional, poorly-executed documentaries that seem to litter all of the major streaming services. We should search beyond them for the documentaries that have made us question, deliberate and contemplate what it means to live in this existence. We should find the documentaries that illuminate issues within the world that we were not aware of. Finally, we should source documentaries that force us to contemplate on ideas and topics that are oftentimes bigger than ourselves. This is why the documentary film was first made, and this is how it should remain - untainted by contemporary film businesses attempts to capitalise on your viewership.
Todd Haynes’s The Velvet Underground (2021) is a Momentous Force in Documentary Filmmaking.
Todd Haynes’s recent documentary surrounding the inception of one of the most evocative bands of the nineteenth century is a force to be reckoned with. This documentary embodies the art and creativity which were central to The Velvet Underground’s music through its intense focus on the construction of such music alongside idiosyncratic cinematography. Ultimately, The Velvet Underground offers music fans with a visionary film that encapsulates the momentum of The Velvet Underground’s career.
What makes Haynes’s documentary so evocative is how he places the music of The Velvet Underground at the forefront of the documentary itself. The film is less concerned with the drama or scandals associated with the band and more focused on the fabrication of some of the most distinctive and remarkable pieces of music within recent musical memory. In particular, one of the most notable moments is the delineation of the formation of ‘Heroin.’ Various interviewees including members of the band and their family members detail how this song came to fruition, from the poetics of Reed’s lyrics to the development of the instrumentation. It is highly engaging in how the song seemed to describe some of the deepest aspects of the human condition, something which was not commonly articulated in contemporary music.
However, the stand-out aspect of this particular documentary is how the cinematography replicates the momentum and excitement associated with The Velvet Underground’s early musical career. Cinematographer Edward Lachman captures the thrilling atmosphere of life in New York City during a time of cultural renaissance and The Velvet Underground’s earliest gigs within their career. In order to achieve this exhilarating and electrifying atmosphere, Lachmann provides a mosaic of varying imagery all combined together within one frame. This array of simultaneous imagery resembles that of a museum, really immersing the audience within the narrative of the documentary. It makes the documentary so unique in style and aesthetics and ultimately commands the attention of all viewers.
Overall, Todd Haynes’s documentary fuses both art and history together to construct a highly evocative documentary which charters one of the most influential bands of its time. It offers audience with a timestamp to one of the most exciting and enthralling moments of musical history, through its amalgamation of personal anecdotes and avant-garde cinematography. The Velvet Underground really is a must for any and all music fans.
A Deep Dive into Cult-Classic Twin Peaks - and why it deserves that title.
David Lynch’s Twin Peaks has long remained a cult-classic. Taking the murder mystery trope and quite literally turning it on its head, Lynch’s surrealist escapade is one of the most visually and cinematically alluring television shows of the nineties.
Many have questioned why such a show has gained a cult following, but to me it’s quite obvious. Although at times Twin Peaks takes liberties when it comes to the plot of the show, the surrealist landscape in which it surrounds itself is one that has yet to be replicated in contemporary television. Throughout this particular post, I will discuss the excellence of this show and why it deserves its cult-classic title.
Firstly, even if you have yet to watch the show, you are probably familiar with the visual aesthetic of the show itself. The visual aesthetic of Twin Peaks reveals much about its uniqueness and also the surrealist undertones attached to the show. Twin Peaks immediately engages the audience through the visuals alone. It is the culmination of the cinematography, aspect ratio and the colour palette that make it one of the most visually enticing shows of its era. The aspect ratio incorporated within the show is intriguing for contemporary viewers - the 4x4 ratio has become practically obsolete within modern television. Immediately, the audience are greeted with something so reminiscent of nineties culture and television. Accompanying this, the colour palette within the frame elevates this nineties nostalgic feel. Each frame has a sepia-toned colour palette which elevates the autumnal aesthetic of the show. Each of these elements work perfectly in tandem to create such a visually beguiling show. Twin Peaks and the visual aesthetics it incorporates have remained nonpareil within contemporary television - not many television shows have accurately replicated this particular aesthetic as it is so synonymously attached with the show itself.
In addition to this, one of the greatest aspects of the show is the beloved and memorable characters it creates. David Lynch and Mark Frost constructed some of the most entrancing, eccentric and quirky characters that have become one of the most recognisable features of the show. From Dale Cooper to the Log Lady, each character within the show is both idiosyncratic and multi-dimensional. There is an array of characters within the show, each with their own interesting storyline and multidimensional characteristics and features. Although the show exists within a surrealist landscape, the imperfect nature of the characters strengthens the overall verisimilitude of the show while also reflecting that of real-life. These imperfect yet highly loveable characters are what make the show so resonant and memorable. It could be a one-liner delivered by Audrey Horne or the trajectory of Nadine Hurley’s storyline - every character contributes greatly to the overall enjoyment and appreciation of the show.
Overall, David Lynch and Mark Frost’s surrealist experiment in the form of Twin Peaks undoubtedly deserves its title of ‘cult-classic.’ Whether you are a fan of the show or are yet to watch an episode, Twin Peaks will certainly ruminate within your mind long after the credits have finished rolling. If you are looking for a new show that embodies idiosyncrasy in every sense of the word, Twin Peaks should be added to your list.