Spike Lee's Four Little Girls: Documentary Films

Wherever we go, whether it be the grocery store, the mall, or even the couch, people are constantly bombarded by the elements of persuasion. For example, when buying a carton of milk, the advertisers will entice buyers with statistics and a list of healthy ingredients. Or while flipping through a magazine at the dentist's office, marketers draw the eyes in with bright colors and bold text. These elements of persuasion, rooted both in visual and logical appeals, can also be woven together to create an argumentative documentary. These documentaries, especially when considering controversial issues, have the power to broadcast important social messages to the world. This ability, however, can only be unlocked when the right rhetorical means are used to further their argument. The 13th, a documentary directed by Ava DuVernay, is a prime example of this. Released in October of 2016, this oscar-nominated film made an immediate impact due to its provoking message on the mass criminalization of African Americans in the United States, skilfully exploring the disproportionate amount of African Americans in prison. The success of this documentary can be attributed to its persuasive visual and audio tracks and its well timed arrival, ultimately influencing the viewer's passion to create a change in the world.

Firstly, it is important to understand how the documentary form is best suited to illustrate the film’s theme. In order to do this, one must have an overview of the documentary style of filmmaking. Documentaries concern themselves with the “exploration of

Although there were many compelling aspects of this documentary, 13th’s organization of its facts are worthy of mention. 13th moves beautifully through more than a century worth of brutal history while maintaining a clear format that provides information on the racial violence and the unjust justice system. Published in The New York Times, Dargis’s review of 13th obviously agrees. In “The Journey From Shackles to Prison Bars”, Dargis’s review agrees that the way DuVernay transitions throughout the film elicits a genuine and deep emotional response. The order in which they present their facts enabled me to clearly understand their stance on the argument that they were presenting. For instance, DuVernay develops the documentary through the time lapse of African American history. She begins with the days of slavery and works her way through modern exploitation so seamlessly.

Within the first few minutes, the film summarized the church bombing that killed four innocent young girls and explained how it affected the Civil Rights Movement all through a historic song. The first scene of the movie, each victim’s family described their daughters’ childhood and how segregation affect their family. One interesting fact was the father of Denise McClair, one of victims, actually went to school in Tuskegee. The second victim, Carole Roberston, was confused why whites and blacks could not share the same water fountain, restaurant and bathroom. She did

“Mississippi Burning” is based on the investigation of a missing persons case which turned into a murder case in Mississippi that involved three young students who were civil rights workers involved in Freedom Summer of 1964. Two of the students were Jewish and one was an African-American whom came down to Mississippi from New York City. After the students did not return home the parents pushed for media attention since the Mississippi Police were not doing any investigations. The FBI then had to get involved with the case. Little did the parents know that the police were the ones who actually committed the murder of their children. This film shows us the oppression towards African-Americans, specifically in the south.

The films, Remember The Titans and The Sapphires are both discovering significant social messages of racial conflict. With these messages and the techniques used in both films they have resulted in two powerful films that highlight racial discrimination. This essay will explore the relationship between the filmmaking and the social messages it is trying to highlight, as well as the similarities, differences and techniques shared between both films

The obvious bias illustrated throughout Michael Moore’s film certainly does detract from the messages conveyed however when presented in the right circumstances it adds more value to the messages. The obvious bias leaves many people questioning the credibility of the director’s message as it doesn’t show the full spectrum of the situation, which is what documentaries are for, and ultimately this detracts the films message. However, in some circumstances the obvious bias brings more light on important aspects which should be acted upon thus adding more value the message being portrayed. Michael Moore has directed over 12 documentaries and a handful of them have been awarded with prestigious film awards. “Where to invade next”, “Sicko”, “Bowling for Columbine”, “Capitalism: a love story” and “Fahrenheit 9/11”, these are just half of the documentaries in which Michael Moore has directed. The purpose of a documentary is to present a nonfictional motion picture which aims to promote or

A documentary is a genre of film that provides a factual report on a particular story, viewpoint, message or experience. In this essay, two documentaries, Bowling for columbine by Michael Moore and Made in Bangladesh by CBC news will be explored to show how persuasive techniques are used to make an audience feel a particular way.

In the historical events of the Rosewood massacre, a woman claimed rape by a black man, yet her story is still not confirmed nor proven. The result was the lynching of a black person, the retaliation from the black community, and the destruction of Rosewood and the death of six black and two white individuals (D’Orso, 52). The movie illustrates a high level of carnage in the town, and the use of KKK, which is not accurate according to historical facts. It demonstrates the producers attempt to create the element of dramatization, and the emotional effect of the movie.

2. I picked this film because of the strong message it is meant to put across, considering that Lee wanted the world to acknowledge that while society had experienced significant progress up to the turn of the century, people still had a long way to go in order for the world to be a morally acceptable place. Reading more information about the girls killed during the 1963 Baptist Church bombing really shocked me and made me want to discuss this film.

Many of the interviews included in the film are those of friends, family, and witnesses. The most impacting of those interviews were those that included friends and family. The film reached out to Till’s mother and was able to interview and she really tied the documentary together, often she would speak about her deceased son and how his death impacted her and the rest of the African American community. Moses Wright who was there when Bryant kidnapped Emmet was also very impactful, he tried to convince the kidnappers to "give the boy a whipping,” instead of doing the unthinkable, of course, they didn't listen and took the boy. Many other friends and family of Till were interviewed as well, many of which described Till and his personality.

The documentary goes through a series of songs and editing techniques that carry the film through different genres and represent the movie nature of the OJ Simpson vs. The People of Los Angeles case. It opens with an upbeat song similar to the opening credits of a Tarentino Film. As the music plays, descriptions and images of the horrendous crime flash across the screen. In “What a Documentary Is, After All” Carl Plantinga says the filmmaker’s intent is to create “representations that combine saying and showing”

The use of various camera techniques such as canted frames, low-angled, high-angled and close up shots, as well as camera distance, enhances the struggle between the characters. The use of such techniques not only allows the audience to get an extensive insight into the many different characters, but also helps us understand the relationships between them and how all of these factors contribute to the overarching theme of racism in the film. The use of these camera rapid movements

Although the majority of the film in Part 1 was of O.J’s football career it also showed how heavy segregation, police brutality, and the civil rights movement were. The documenter stated how significant segregation was

This documentary has a voice which is the most important part of any movie, furthermore, it has it own way of living and breathing and speaking to