Poetic Documentary

• Using image or sound as metaphor
• Editing is the films punctuation
• Emotion is created through characters and subject matter
• Atmosphere is evoked through the use of sound, light and the cinematic approach of the film maker

Regen (1929)

Dir. Joris Ivans

Inspired by the works of Man Ray and Dali, Ivans made a film that experimented with image just as much as these artists did. He wanted to create a visual poem that focused on lifes little moments. The rhythm of his visual poem is created through the use of music. 

Sans Soleil (1963)

Dir. Chris Marker

Part of the documentary movement that emerged from the 1950s around the film essay. Marker rejected the term documentary altogether and wanted to present his side of an argument using everything that he had at his disposal to get this point across. Sans Soleil contains philosophical themes, reflecting on the imperfection of memory. Marker tries to illustrate how our memory can have gaps and therefore is not always true.