MovieChat Forums > In Jackson Heights (2016) Discussion > Complete failure as a documentary

Complete failure as a documentary


Yes, Jackson Heights is an incredibly diverse neighborhood.
While neighborhoods change over time, Jackson has had a more rapid transformation in both population size and variety than any other neighborhood in the city.

Three hours of interviewing people of different backgrounds and lifestyles does not offer any insight into the neighborhood itself.

Jackson Heights has had a rich history with diverse population shifts over generations,
Why the film maker chose to ignore the history of the neighborhood when making a documentary about the neighborhood is utterly absurd.

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"Three hours of interviewing people" ?

Did you even see this or any film by Wiseman ?

He nearly never does interviews.

And he never gives any background.

He's observing.

You don't understand his method.

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I understand his method fine.
You seemed to not understand my post.

That he "nearly never does any background work" actually goes to my point about it being a failure as a documentary.

Yes, I should not have used the word "interview," since he did not conduct interviews... he just filmed people talking about whatever random things they wished.
An interview would have involved asking questions.
Sure... as a film that is simply footage of random people talking off the top of their heads, it accomplishes its purpose. The camera is held steady and the sound is clear.

As a documentary, it is a complete failure

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Maybe we shouldn't use the term "documentary" at all,

because we are used to associate a certain kind of film with that.

What Wiseman does is something else:

His background is in social sciences.

He's doing 'visual ethnography' more or less,

with a focus on institutions.

That's his life's work.

He doesn't want to explain or teach,

he just wants to observe and show.

This might be boring or 'not enough' for some,

but I respect this method.

It creates distance.

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