Documentary film makes an implicit promise to its viewers to present reality. In this course, we explore the complexities of this promise by examining the interplay between objective fact and the documentarian’s subjective presentation of fact. Such an exploration will take us into questions concerning how we think about the ‘real’ and the ‘fake’ on film and beyond. We will also consider what documentarians owe to those who appear in their films and what ethical standards should apply to documentarians. Films (documentary and otherwise) may include Errol Morris’ The Thin Blue Line, Albert and David Maysles’ Grey Gardens and its fictional feature film offspring (starring Drew Barrymore and Jessica Lange), Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man, Jian Fan’s Still Tomorrow, Nicole Lucas Haimes’ Chicken People, Jennie Livingston’s Paris is Burning and Sara Jordenö and Twiggy Pucci Garçon’s Kiki.

This class requires active and sustained participation from each student and will be speaking intensive; students will be supported in developing participation skills and guided to additional resources as needed.

Units: 1

Max Enrollment: 15

Prerequisites: None. Open to First-Years only.

Instructor: Rodensky

Degree Requirements: WFY - First Year Writing

Semesters Offered this Academic Year: Fall

Notes: No letter grades given.