Wednesday, June 28, 2006
MYTH
Today's NYT Best 1176 Film was Robert Flaherty's
Flaherty is known as the father of the documentary but this is not our conception of a documentary; filmed on the fly, authentic action, little or no original motive of the maker (?)
All of his works from Nanook of the North to this last work were staged and told a prepared story line.
The thing that is documentary is that it is based on facts, the action is realistic, and the events are more or less true.
This work has the advantage of Virgil Thompson's music to guide us through an idyll of the bayou as an oil rig comes in to tap the black gold out from under.
It supposes a happy communion between technology and primitive life which does not and can not happen.
It would not be surprising to find that it was funded by the oil companies.
It is beautiful, nonetheless and the young boy who it follows is charming.
I liked watching and listening to it.
It might be horse shit but it is pretty horse shit.
I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.
