Documentary filmmaker Mark Cousins is currently screening segments of his 16-part series, The Story of Documentary Film, at the Karlovy Vary film festival. The project examines the evolution of the genre, with specific focus on how 1980s investigative works utilized empathy and confrontation to challenge political authority and societal complacency in both Soviet and Western contexts.
How Did 1980s Documentaries Challenge Political Power?
According to Cousins, 1980s documentary filmmakers functioned as “detectives,” using investigative techniques to dismantle state narratives. By focusing on films like Juris Podnieks’s Is It Easy to Be Young? (1986), the series highlights how youth culture was used to expose the “sclerotic dullness” of the Soviet state. Similarly, the series points to the collapse of the Berlin Wall as a thematic touchstone, where filmmakers sought to bridge the gap of indifference between citizens and state policy.
What Role Did Empathy Play in Non-Fiction Cinema?
Cousins argues that 1980s documentary work was defined by a shift toward empathy as a tool for political change. In his analysis of the decade, he cites Robert Frost’s line, “Something there is that doesn’t love a wall,” to describe how films questioned existing orders. A notable example cited is Herz Frank’s The Last Judgement (1987), which documents a death row inmate’s claim of universal love, forcing viewers to confront the humanity of those condemned by the state.
The Evolution of Campaigning Documentaries
The 1980s saw the rise of what Cousins identifies as “big beasts” of campaigning documentaries. Michael Moore’s Roger and Me (1989) is positioned as a film that channels the spirit of Frank Capra, emphasizing small-town decency. This trend led to a spate of theatrically released campaigning documentaries in the noughties, all inspired by Roger and Me.
Comparison: Television vs. Theatrical Distribution
A central question raised by the series is the impact of the viewing platform on the documentary experience. Cousins asks: how many of these films were seen in the cinema? Were they all basically consumed on TV, and intended for TV? Is there a difference in the documentary experience on the big screen?
FAQ
- What is The Story of Documentary Film? It is a 16-part series by filmmaker Mark Cousins that explores the history of the movies.
- Which 1980s films does Cousins highlight? Key films include Roger and Me (1989), The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On (1987), Is It Easy to Be Young? (1986), and Hotel Terminus: The Life and Times of Klaus Barbie (1988).
- Why is the 1980s period significant for documentaries? It marked a shift toward investigative journalism and campaigning films that directly confronted war crimes, political apathy, and state control.
Are you interested in the intersection of cinema and history? Share your thoughts on how documentary film has shaped your understanding of political movements in the comments section below.
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