From Greta Garbo to Gwyneth Paltrow, the screen cough is reliably fatal. But this film and television favourite walks a fine line between suspense and comedy.
At a time when formulaic factual ‘content’ reigns on our TV screens, a new essay on Australian documentary making is a rallying call for those who believe the genre can effect social change.
Russell Campbell, Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington
Ivor Montagu’s childhood was privileged, but he rebelled against his wealthy upbringing to become a pioneer of film culture, an activist documentary maker and an ardent supporter of Soviet communism.
Their critiques may be more gentle, their attacks more circumspect – but they are resonant nonetheless. And when filmmakers like Farhadi confront Trump, they’re on familiar turf: They’ve seen his type back home.
This year has already seen the first selfie movie, the first series to air on Instagram – mobile phones are increasingly playing a major role in the film world.
Award winning film The Wolfpack tells the story of five brothers who’ve spent most of their lives confined to a New York apartment. It raises questions about the ethics of documentary filmmaking.
Cape Town’s screening of the Africa World Documentary Film Festival provides a platform for debate, and shows how documentary films clarify and complicate the answers.