Best looking documentaries

Patryk_Rebisz

Patryk_Rebisz

Veteran
Anyone can share what they consider great looking docs?
For me:
"Tetris: From Russia with Love" (for moody lighting of the interviews and creative b-roll): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn9dO_iL7lo
"James Burke : Connections" (for purposeful use of dollies) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcSxL8GUn-g
"Baraka" (for its understanding that if each show is not simply awesome the spirit of the film will not come through): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEyguwQalCI
"Sweetgrass" (for the believe of the camera person that they found their shots and letting it play out): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL2r2OMcLOw
"Fala - Jarocin '85" (for taking the effort to use jibs and stedicams): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8NXX6eDekU
"Talking Heads" (for tasteful naturalistic lighting): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66CbSfuyxTU
"Rivers and Tides" (for understanding that without lugging all that heavy gear to those remote location they don't have a movie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT3lveJmjY8
"Babies" (for the persistence in framing and lighting despite of uncooperative subject matter): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vupEpNjCuY
 
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Patryk_Rebisz said:
I like how they use film to saturate the colors. I also like how they use double shot of the interviewer&translator in one frame.
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me too. i suspect they placed them far enough apart that they could get a clean single with that wide format. but then they went for the two shot as well. it looks great, and it's very effective.
 
I am partial to the old Italian Mondo documentaries from the 1960's (Mondo Cane, Mondo Cane 2, Africa Addio). They mixed a lot of genuine footage with fabricated scenes, along with a lot of gonzo footage (you can't be sure if they were genuine or not; probably 'creatively massaged' scenes). Those docs would often shock with the most grotesque stories; but in between you would sometimes get the most amazing cinematic scenes. The contrast between beauty and beastly made for an interesting viewing experience.
 
Patryk_Rebisz said:
What's visually interesting in this doc?
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I've always been keen on "natural" looking films. This film just has a very gritty natural feel to it. Reminds me of the work by Haskell Wexler-- which I love. I wouldn't say it's the "best looking" but that fact that it doesn't look too great makes it look "good" and works for the film. Having been shot on 16mm also helps too.
 
simonpwood said:
I am partial to the old Italian Mondo documentaries from the 1960's (Mondo Cane, Mondo Cane 2, Africa Addio). They mixed a lot of genuine footage with fabricated scenes, along with a lot of gonzo footage (you can't be sure if they were genuine or not; probably 'creatively massaged' scenes). Those docs would often shock with the most grotesque stories; but in between you would sometimes get the most amazing cinematic scenes. The contrast between beauty and beastly made for an interesting viewing experience.
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Awesome find! Too bad the version on youtube doesn't have subtitles but i'll try to watch it for visuals.
 
David Topete said:
I've always been keen on "natural" looking films. This film just has a very gritty natural feel to it. Reminds me of the work by Haskell Wexler-- which I love. I wouldn't say it's the "best looking" but that fact that it doesn't look too great makes it look "good" and works for the film. Having been shot on 16mm also helps too.
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Fair enough. Sometimes lack of "good" look is used as an advantage.
 
refocusedmedia said:
I'm particularly fond of this one both for it's subject matter and it's cinematography:

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Personally i find the ideas explored here exciting but the actual exploration dull. The visuals are barely passable (i can't imagine what those filmmakers would do without shallow depth of field). In a way this film is a perfect illustration of one of the interviewees mantra: so many are saying so much and yet so few are saying anything of importance... Too bad because the issue is exciting.

Thanks for sharing though!
 
I liked "Home", the crispness and vibrancy of the image was amazing. The message is sorta pushy, but whatever. I liked it.
 
Agree 10000% on Sweetgrass.

'Story of the Weeping Camel' has some of the same feel and 16mm goodness

edit: reviewing, seems "sweetgrass" originated on 35mm. Oh well. They both still look damn good.
 
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mcbob said:
Agree 10000% on Sweetgrass.

'Story of the Weeping Camel' has some of the same feel and 16mm goodness

edit: reviewing, seems "sweetgrass" originated on 35mm. Oh well. They both still look damn good.
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Will check out the Camel film. Didn't know that Sweetgrass originated on 35mm.
 
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