Documentary theorist Bill Nichols proposes that there are six different documentary modes in cinema: the Observational, the Performative, the Poetic, the Expository, the Reflexive, and the Participatory. In our latest Reel Spirituality Podcast series, Avril Speaks and Elijah Davidson are comparing exceptional films particular to these documentary modes in hopes of deciding which mode is best at both exploring and communicating truth.
On this first episode, they compare Steve James groundbreaking Hoop Dreams with Alain Renais’ revelatory Night and Fog. The following two episodes will compare Koyannisquatsi with The Central Park Five and F For Fake with Gates of Heaven. Watch along and let us know which mode you find most truthful.
The theme music for our podcast is provided by Matt Lumpkin, whose music can be found here. If you are interested in subscribing to the Reel Spirituality podcast, follow this link.
