Suggested Viewing for Inspiration: Nanook of the North

For my current class, Project and Portfolio IV: Digital Cinematography, I had to view the film "Nanook of the North," a silent film documentary from 1922, and comment on what can be learned from this almost 100 year old film. 

I would agree with what Roger Ebert said in his review, in that the Nanook, is unforgettable. In spite of the fact this film is almost a 100 years old, Fred Armisen and Bill Hader spoofed it in a episode of “Documentary Now.” This shows how relevant this film is. What I think we can learn from this film is a well constructed character story will always be in style, no matter the year. This film opened showing us how Nanook’s life is similar to our own. He has a wife(s), children, and even a dog. He has a boat like we have cars, he has a house, and a job (hunting). Then the filmmaker shows us, how his life differs from our own, whilst introducing the conflict; keep moving and find food or else you’ll die. This conflict is engaging and keeps the audience hooked.

There’s a lot about this documentary, that is very similar to a modern documentary. The first shot we see of Nanook is a very up close and intimate shot of his face. The shot goes on a little long and it’s almost awkward as he stares back at the audience. To me, I thought this was the most modern shot of the whole documentary, down to the length of the shot. Music did a great job of making intense moments, like anytime Nanook was hunting, engaging. Finally, though they shot this film with one camera, the cut always, like during the hunt for the walrus, are timeless in both the cinematography aspect as well as the editing.
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Reference:
"Documentary Now!" Kunuk Uncovered (TV Episode 2015). (n.d.). Retrieved October 
02, 2017, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4823560/?ref_=ttep_ep2

Ebert, Roger. “Nanook of the North Movie Review (1922) | Roger Ebert.” 
RogerEbert.com, 25 Sept. 2005, www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great
-movie-nanook-of-the-north-1922. Accessed 2 Oct. 2017. 

Flaherty, Robert J., director. Nanook of the North. 13 May 2013, 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoUafjAH0cg. Accessed 2 Oct. 2017.