Analysing the sub text in two documentaries- Michael Moore's "Bowling for Columbine" and Errol Morris's" Fog of War", and a comparison of the directorial style of the two filmmakers.
Analysing sub text in "Bowling for Columbine", Michael Moore.
The very first shot of the film is that of Charlton Heston promoting it, as a documentary the American Rifle Association would like everyone to see. This we realize, as the film opens, is but a spoof that drips with sarcasm, and that basically lays the trend for what is to follow. In Bowling for Columbine Michael Moore's opinion- the side which he is on, is strongly evident. And in his presentation he leaves no place for the audience to feel the need to deviate from his view. Moore moves from attitude to attitude in quick succession and employs elements like humor, sarcasm, music and pop-culture in various forms within his narrative to hold audience interest and at the same time present his arguments.
Take for instance the fact that the very issue the film is about- the shootouts at Columbine High School- is not brought to the fore till a good thirty minutes into the film. For the first half hour Moore lays a strong foundation, a base, which explores the Gun Culture in America, more so in Michigan and Colorado in a manner that is suggestive of the trend as being responsible for teenage violence. In doing so he has already built up his argument and when finally, the shoot-out is shown, to an audience whose emotions have already been built up, the audience is inclined to support his point of view.
"Bowling for Columbine" is a film made on the editing table. One shot is ever so that much more effective because of the manner of its juxtaposition with other shots. Take for example the inter-cutting of Charlton Heston speech at the Colorado NRA convention just after the Columbine shootout with that of Daniel's (a Columbine victim) father.
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