Gavin Lim's IDENTITY (Singapore) and Pelle Koornstra's PARADISE (Amsetrdam) are up in short-cut form on 4Docs.
There is some meandering and irrelevant prose from the editor cautioning against this style of documentary, which apparently went out of fashion in the sixties (god forbid), please put this to one side and judge for yourselves.
If you like the films, pleasle some positive ratings and reviews.
Singapore: http://www.channel4.com/fourdocs/film/f ... p?id=39426
Amsterdam: http://www.channel4.com/fourdocs/film/f ... p?id=39445
And in addition to this SUPER-8 CITIES will be showing in its entirety with it's own dedicated slot in the Brief Encounters festival - one of the UK's best short film events!
More Super-8 Cities on 4Docs! watch online
Moderator: Andreas Wideroe
In response to the editor's comments on Gavin's film I wrote:
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The editor of 4Docs wrote "Like the other films in this series of personal urban portraits there needs to be the added element that cities are not buildings, traffic, weather, rules or regulations - cities are 'other people'."
To clarify, the rules of Super-8 Cities forbade the use of on-camera interviews, camera pans etc. and required the use of a commentary. These rules were designed to create an alternative form of documentary-making harking back to earlier observational styles. In doing so, we hoped to create a unique set of films that stand apart from conventional documentary norms. There was also a sense that in the documentary field the personal voice of the director is constantly devalued in favour of rooting out explicit 'human interest stories' that create their own unreality, but in a less transparent way. Many are tired with the onslaught of these headumentaries, which is probably what inspired so many filmmakers to contribute to this project.
The editor's rejection of the unorthodox style of the films has obviously caused him/her to overlook the depth of Gavin's discussion of Singapore's soul. However, many have found this film brilliant (it is also a personal favourite of mine) - and I think whether you appreciate the film depends upon how flexible you are to bend from your expectations of what a "real documentary" is.
****
The editor of 4Docs wrote "Like the other films in this series of personal urban portraits there needs to be the added element that cities are not buildings, traffic, weather, rules or regulations - cities are 'other people'."
To clarify, the rules of Super-8 Cities forbade the use of on-camera interviews, camera pans etc. and required the use of a commentary. These rules were designed to create an alternative form of documentary-making harking back to earlier observational styles. In doing so, we hoped to create a unique set of films that stand apart from conventional documentary norms. There was also a sense that in the documentary field the personal voice of the director is constantly devalued in favour of rooting out explicit 'human interest stories' that create their own unreality, but in a less transparent way. Many are tired with the onslaught of these headumentaries, which is probably what inspired so many filmmakers to contribute to this project.
The editor's rejection of the unorthodox style of the films has obviously caused him/her to overlook the depth of Gavin's discussion of Singapore's soul. However, many have found this film brilliant (it is also a personal favourite of mine) - and I think whether you appreciate the film depends upon how flexible you are to bend from your expectations of what a "real documentary" is.
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freddiesykes
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My favorite of all the ones I've seen is EXETER
good narrative, nice pacing, excellent cinematography....looks like it was shot on negative...
some super 8 films constantly remind the viewer that super 8 was once a home movie format, due to poor focus/exposure or shaky camerawork. Sometimes this can be charming, but often it's just distracting.
But when I was watching Exeter I forgot I was watching a "super 8" movie and instead was able to absorb the beautiful relationship between the narrative and the images.
Such beautiful footage. Looks like it was shot on neg stock, too....
some super 8 films constantly remind the viewer that super 8 was once a home movie format, due to poor focus/exposure or shaky camerawork. Sometimes this can be charming, but often it's just distracting.
But when I was watching Exeter I forgot I was watching a "super 8" movie and instead was able to absorb the beautiful relationship between the narrative and the images.
Such beautiful footage. Looks like it was shot on neg stock, too....
Re: My favorite of all the ones I've seen is EXETER
Great. I'm really glad you liked it, at least someone apprecaites my little filmfilmo wrote: But when I was watching Exeter I forgot I was watching a "super 8" movie and instead was able to absorb the beautiful relationship between the narrative and the images.
Such beautiful footage. Looks like it was shot on neg stock, too....
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