Stephen Knight’s elaborate Masonic theory for the infamous Whitechapel murders of 1888, first presented in his book of the same name in 1976, has since become a figure of ridicule in the world of professional ‘ripperology’, despite offering the most concise and approachable explanation for … Read More →
Tag Archives: documentary
Bronco Bullfrog (1969; dir. Barney Platts-Mills)
Music in cinema, as previously noted in this review here, usually takes the form of pre-determined and marketable – for which read “‘as conventional as possible” – soundtracks, either comprised of antiseptic, neutered pop music, or specifically composed in a bland, sub-classical manner – both … Read More →
Edvard Munch (1974; dir. Peter Watkins)
Originally made for Norwegian and Swedish state television, and often shown in a severely truncated form, this excellent treatise on the early life and work of the famous Symbolist painter is another of helmer Watkins’ intensely detailed films, that remain surprisingly personal despite their egalitarian … Read More →
Capturing the Light (2008; dir. Frank Longo)
“If a person is sincere and really wants to see the light, then they’ll see it,” states the subject of this straight-to-DVD documentary, and her attitude typifies that of helmer Longo, who seems incapable of objectively assessing the highly dubious claims of UFO observer Dorothy … Read More →
Contact: An Investigation into the Extraterrestial Experiences of Eduard Meier (1978; dir. Larry Savadore)
This deplorable film not only makes a mockery of science, religion and common sense, but also insults its audience by presenting as documentary fact scenes which were painfully and obviously shot to lend the pathetic proceedings some dramatic clout. The dubious tales of Eduard ‘Billy’ … Read More →
Cinema Europe (1995; dir. Kevin Brownlow and Dan Carter)
With modern film criticism and theory on UK broadcast television limited to the insipid Mark Kermode and the pointless Matthew Sweet on the BBC, and virtually nothing on other channels, this documentary series seems as much part of yesteryear as the early silents and talkies … Read More →
Production Diary 02
An early present from our Christmas stocking: here’s the second production diary for Scenes from the Private Life of Scratchman Drexel, detailing the new pre-production stages demanded by the alternative approach to filmmaking we outlined here. And that just leaves us to wish you a … Read More →
Valkoinen peura (1952; dir. Erik Blomberg)
This beautiful, oneiric film is possibly the finest rendering of the human-into-animal myth – popularised by countless werewolf movies with dubious heritage. The story tells of a woman cursed to change into the titular white reindeer and lure men to their deaths, and unfolds against … Read More →
Production Diary 01
Here is the first production diary for our new film Scenes from the Private Life of Scratchman Drexel, outlining our intention and alternative approach to the writing process. To read individual reviews of the films mentioned in this video, click on a title below: Fires … Read More →
Pressure (1976; dir. Horace Ové)
At one point during this film – widely touted as the UK’s “first black feature” – a speaker at a Black Power meeting insists that the world needs “great stories about great black people”, and you can’t help but feel that helmer Ové has already … Read More →
Fires Were Started (1943; dir. Humphrey Jennings)
This film – also known as “I was a Fireman” – details the activities of the UK’s volunteer fire service during the early years of World War II. Whereas modern documentary makers prefer to employ actors for their reconstructions, suggesting that reality somehow needs dressing … Read More →
Act2Cam Workshop Thursday 18th February 2010
Here’s footage from the third week of Act2Cam workshops taking place during the spring term 2010, focussing on how far the students have come with their improvised dramas, and how far they have yet to travel. Visit the official Act2Cam website Watch more videos at … Read More →