AJ's Doc Talk

Stranger with a Camera is a prime of example of the expository mode of documentary film making.  Bill Nichols states that,” the expository and poetic modes often harvest, glean, or compile images from the world with relative indifference to the specific individuals or situations captured in order to shape proposals or perspectives on a general topic.” In simple terms expository films deal in social problems displayed through carefully chosen composition with narration being key to describing the issue at hand. Rhetorical content is extremely important for this mode as well as the impression of objectivity. Films in the expository mode point to the rhetorical value in the narration as the argument while the footage and visuals are the evidence. I believe Nichols’ references this as “evidentiary editing.” Nichols’ also goes on to explain that the expository mode of documentary still remains as the most prominent. Now, Stranger with a Camera  fits into this mold extremely well. Elizabeth Barret uses interview footage as well as original footage shot in Appalachia as a the background of the poverty story that led to the death of Hugh O’Connor. The film as a whole illustrates that in situations like that in Appalacia there is a distinct divide between capturing the social problem on film and being the social problem on that film. The narration of the film draws pertinent context to the event that is then visualized by the footage. Barret has a unique perspective that ultimately helps keep the film objective. She is both film maker and resident of Appalachia during the  time of O’Connor’s death. Because of the unique perspective of the film maker, Stranger with a Camera displays a very objective impression and does well on capturing the message behind the story. This is, in essence, expository film making. Other films that are classified as expository can also fall into other modes just as this film does. A good example, also mentioned in the text, is Sicko by Michael Moore. Sicko takes the perspective of Moore attempting to explore the healthcare woes in the United States as compared to other foreign countries healthcare success. Another film falling in the expository mode could be the 2003 capitalism expose, The Corporation. In this film, the history, role, and prominence of corporation in America are examine from a very objective perspective with emphasis on how involved corporations are in everyday American life. All three films mentioned have different takes on the expository mode. They all delve in some sort of investigation presented in different fashions. However different the delivery is from film to film, they still fall into the expository more as defined by Bill Nichols.

To speak to the differences in presentation, Nichols makes the argument of voice in documentary film making. Similar to that of rhetoric, Nichols uses rhetorical elements to further explore the idea of voice in film. These include invention, arrangement, style, memory, and delivery. Each film takes a different approach to these elements. Stranger with a Camera gives a good example of a mix of style as well as direct and indirect address of the issue within the film. Barret begins her film with the information regarding Hugh O’Connor and the film he was shooting in Appalachia which is then abruptly stopped with the event of his murder. This speaks to arrangement as well invention as far as voice elements. By first opening with the murder then proceding to explain more of the back story, Barret gives a well rounded story that is filled with primary sources and information from citizens of the town present when the shots were fired from both a camera and from the barrel of a gun. Barret takes on the “God-like” perspective through voice over and this speaks to the overall tone of the film. Although she was not directly involved in the murder she was still a resident in the area who would later feel the same pressures O’Connor did before his death. She speaks from memory showing different accounts of the murder from towns people as well as getting different resident’s perspective and opinion on the film makers presence and of the shooter, Hobart Ison. In comparison other films have a different voice yet still fall into the same mode of expository. Taking the previous examples, Michael Moore is known for his style of inserting himself right in the middle of his films. He is the star and the hero investigating on behalf of the better world. He takes an extremely direct approach to issues and delivers the message of his films himself. This can be contrasted to the Corporation where the film follows multiple aspects of capitalism and corporate come up. Using subtitles, explanation, interview, and narration the films illustrates how Corporations in our country have become living entities in both a ideological and legal terms. Stranger with a Camera is a good mix of narration and visually striking interviews that make for a film that displays an objective perspective on the issue of a peculiar murder. Ultimately, it is left up to the viewer to interpret their own rationale on the murder of Hugh O’Connor and to determine for themselves how the outcome is directly related from both the perspective of the film maker and from the backwards resident of Appalachia, Kentucky.

Stranger With A Camera from Appalshop CMI on Vimeo.

Visit the Appalshop site to learn more about the film house that help make Stranger with a Camera.