Things to Remember 

A Response to Ryan Garrett's Film

1. Considering the articles you've read for class today, which documentary mode or modes does the film borrow from? Please explain specific elements from the film to support your observations.

The film borrows the Hybrid style in addition to the Performative Mode.  According to videomaker.com, Performative mode is when, “Performative documentary emphasizes the filmmaker’s own involvement with the subject. The filmmaker shows a larger political or historical reality through the window of her own experience. Rather than rely on the expository approach, the rhetoric of persuasion, the performative filmmaker becomes a personal guide who shows it and tells it like it is.” This film does not feel like a true documentary in a sense. Yes, it is documenting something, but it makes one question whether it is worth watching. The beginning of the film begins with an electronically recorded female narrative. She begins by describing a project the photographer undertook. Yet to what purpose beyond his inspiration by Los Alamos? Since he could not photograph that specific location, he is spurred to take a series of photos from across the country. A few minutes later the film delves into the history of Los Alamos. 

2. Why do you think the filmmaker chose to automate the voice of the narrator? What does it add or detract from the film?

The filmmaker chose to automate the voice to detract any human emotion from the film. The idea is to produce authenticity without bias and retelling the story a it were. This came apparent when retelling the story of the photographer at witnessing the bombings. There is no emotion or mercy as she describes the massive blisters hanging like rags off of the victims backs. 

3. What were some of the more experimental aspects of the film in terms of image and storytelling?

The constant use of text as the events were being narrated by the automated voice or someone else’s recorded interview, or interchangeably an actual human narrative. In addition to this, the film always depicted a hand turning the pages with photographs rather than using editing effects to display the photos. Another experimental aspect of this film is their use of old video footage— it appears as if the film is no more than a collage of other films and photos. There doesn’t seem to be any original footage. The filmmakers strived to create an “old” film despite the relative newness of the film. 

4. Does the film come across as a work of fact or fiction? Why?

It comes across as a work of facts. It describes the event of the nuclear bombs that the United States dropped on Japan. It is listed in chronological order; beginning with Los Alamos and its continued secrecy and the bombing of Japan followed by the after affects of the bombing. This includes the direct aftermath of the Japanese and the residents of Los Alamos.