Michael Moore & Liz Mermin's documentries

2005-11-06T11:07:00.000-08:00

A documentary refers to film or video that explores a subject in a way the public expects to be factual and accurate. Documentaries may be balanced by including various viewpoints, or they may be subjective, offering the viewpoint and impressions of one producer.
The following article discusses the two documentaries Bowling for Columbine and The beauty academy of Kabul. On the left we have Michael Moore's picture and on the right we have Liz Mermin's picture. Both these movies are directed brilliantly and carry a deep message that leaves the viewers thinking. For each of these movies I have first given brief information about the director, then discussed the objective of the movie, followed by a brief summary then I have given my critical opinion and lastly I have commented on the style of direction of both movies.

Bowling For Columbine

Director:
Michael Moore was on born in April 23, 1954, he is an talented outspoken American film director, and social commentator. He won an oscar award for the best documentary. His critical views of corporations and the Bush administarion are well known.

Objective of the documentary:
The objective of the documentary is to probe answers to the issue why American culture is gripped with violence and terror? Why gun violence is widespread in America? Michael Moore seeks answers in a sly humorous way, exposing the bitter reality to us.

Summary of the movie:
The movie begins by showing Michael Moore opening a bank account and winning a rifle as a souvenir. He proceeds with the film in a scientific manner. He initiates the inquisition by highlighting the Columbine massacre of 1999, in which few students were killed by two teens. This is one of the many astonishing realities we come across as we explore the reasons for violence. Moore reveals that the U.S armed the terrorists they are fighting today. After proceeding with many interviews, he claims that media violence backed with violent crime and fear frightens teens and adults, and causes them to resort to use of guns. To keep themselves secure, they keep doors locked and sleep with guns under their pillows. The answer is not gun availability or violent movies or music. He doesn’t give an answer, but he ignites our thoughts and forces us to ponder and take action.

Critique of the movie:
* The movie is brilliantly shot and carries thought provoking facts. It makes an individual realize that he is living in a world enveloped with brutality. The movie is a good lesson for college youths like us. It hits our conscious and makes us realize that, in a way we are the ones responsible for violence in our society and our frustration is let out in the form of aggression.
* What makes this movie powerful is that it entertains as well as exposes reality. Its strength lies in the aspect that its not boring instead at many instances it makes you laugh and grips your attention.
*Even though it is an influential film, according to me it would not change the current political and violence related issues. It may have little or no effect on the government, ruling board or the right wing members. Violent gun culture in the United States is responsible for over 11,000 gun related deaths a year in the U.S. according to the article on http://www.radio.weblogs.com . This article also supports my argument about the documentary having no influence on right hand wing groups.

Narration & style:
The movie is narrated and hence directs the audience. The viewer is told what is happening in each by Michael Moore. Hence at no point of time, the audience are lost or confused.

Beauty Academy Of Kabul

Director:

The director Liz Mermin has beautifully directed and created this movie. Another movie directed by her is On Hostile Ground. She shows her talents and abilities in both these movies.

Objective of the documentary:
The movies attempts to show how a group of American women revolutionized the lifestyle of the Afghan women, who had lived under the Taliban rule for several years.
These ladies helped the Afghan women open the first beauty school. The movie shows the positive change created among the oppressed women.

Summary of document:
In 2003, three American ladies initiated the effort to bring a ray of hope into the bleak life of the Afghan women. These American women opened beauty schools, to teach the Afghan women hairdressing. The U.S based manufacturers sponsored cosmetics and other accessories. The movie keeps the viewer engaged by exhibiting a unique cultural exchange between two diverse groups of women. The American women are gentle, friendly and proficient, where as the students are enthusiastic about learning. Each women has undergone a physical and mental trauma despite these sufferings they take this change in a positive stride. Friendship bonds are created and the American women learn about the country and its people. The movie is splendidly photographed, the emotions expressed by each lady has a strong touching impact on the viewer.

Critique of the documentary
* The movie is based on a very excellent and unique subject. This is an inspiring, hearting, moving, positive and natural movie. It creates sisterhood feelings across national boundaries. To arouse such feelings, is the need of the hour. It lays emphasis on the emotional interactions between the American and Afghan women and shows how they respected each other. Such feelings need to be inculcated among us, young adults.
* The movie educates us in many ways about the country and its people. People living in different corners of the world are exposed to the reality in Afghanistan.
* Many critics argue that, in Afghanistan people cannot meet their basic requirements and things like hairdressing should be given least given importance. An article on the BBC news website www.news.bbc.co.uk states such a comment. I believe that this notion is wrong. Such a change was needed; women were able to get out of the force which was holding them. They learnt a way to earn their source of income. Apart from this it built theirconfidence and raised their self-esteem. In an interview with Liz Mermin on http://www.bbc.co.uk she tells us that the Afghan women, who wanted to join the school were in large numbers and each one of them seemed happy and enthusiastic about joining. This fact proves, that the women were desperate for a ray of light into their dark life and needed a change.

Narration and style:
Liz Mermin does not have a narration in this movie. This creates multiple points of views. She uses the Semi Vertile style. Under this concept, shooting is done under natural scenarios with no narration. It captures the ‘real you’ and is more closer to reality.

In the above pages I have compared the two documentaries based under different topics.

Documentary Comparison

Michael Moore & Liz Mermin's documentries