Product Details

• Actors: Albert Maysles, Errol Morris, Alanis Obomsawin
• Directors: Pepita Ferrari
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC, Widescreen
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 2
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: FIRST RUN FEATURES
• DVD Release Date: October 20, 2009
• Run Time: 90 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B002HOP43K
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,276 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

Editorial Reviews

CAPTURING REALITY:ART OF DOCUMENTARY - DVD Movie

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Documentary ABOUT those who make documentaries, October 11, 2009

By 

Steven I. Ramm "Steve Ramm "Anything Phon... (Phila, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary (DVD)

This is another class act from the National Film Board of Canada, which is continually winning awards for the quality of its productions. Director Pepita Ferrari interviewed 38 well-known documentarians for the core 97-minute film. You'll know a few like Errol Morris and Albert Maysles and you've probably seen a few of films covered, such as "Touching the Void". After watching this you'll probably head to your local video store (or Amazon) to seek out some more. The 163 film clips includes are just teasers.

I was thrilled to see that French Director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade was included. His two English language films - made for HBO - "Murder on a Sunday Morning" and "The Staircase" are two of my all-time favorites and I wanted to know more about him. (See my reviews of these films elsewhere on Amazon). The bonus features consist of additional interview segments and can be searched by topic or by the director's name. There's almost four hours worth! I did find the navigation of these segments a bit hard to maneuver but that was the only thing I found to be lacking in the DVD.

If you love watching documentaries, this is a DVD you must see. It explains both the thought process and the differing opinions among the filmmakers as to whether music is necessary and whether its appropriate to dramatize certain scenes. If you are new to the genre - maybe you have only seen hits like "Grey Gardens" or "Hoop Dreams" or "The Thin Blue Line" - consider this a starting place to explore further.

Steve Ramm
"Anything Phonographic"

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good variety of viewpoints., March 22, 2010

By 

Thomas J. Murray (Sarasota, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary (DVD)

The DVD is arranged by topics with various individuals giving their perspective. Also included are conversations with filmmakers about their work and approach to making documentary film. It should be noted that this is produced by a Canadian group so filmmakers are largely from Canada. I think it offers a good insight into the way people approach their work leading you to learn that creating your own style is important. I would definitely recommend the DVDs for anyone serious interested in making documentaries.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mission Plan of any Documentarian, March 16, 2010

By 

M. Vonaltenburg (The Gulf) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Capturing Reality: The Art of Documentary (DVD)

If you are thinking of covering a topic or are already doing so, you have to realize that you have a big responsibility to your audience and subject. This DVD takes you to those men and women that do make docs, and they tell us about being out in field, how they handle real situations, and how they capture events. This is very good for getting a grip on just what it means to tell someone's story, or to record an event. All story tellers have to show respect to those they record or tell about. The footage here is great too.