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Apollo Zeus

(251 posts)
18. I'm working on a documentary now so I have been obsessed with
Sat Jul 17, 2021, 01:33 PM
Jul 2021

the question of how to present controversial and confrontational viewpoints in a way that is neither too tame nor too clickbait/trollish.

Documentaries are red hot right now and within the genre, Native American / Indigenous viewpoints are especially sought after, perhaps because so little has been done. Until recently most documentaries about Native American experiences have focused on their extermination, eg Trail of Tears, and not on their endurance or influence on American ideas about freedom, democracy, women's rights and environmentalism. Standing Rock was a turning point.

Someone said "More Americans get their history from Ken Burns than from any other source." And that is probably true. I don't see that as a bad thing -- quite the contrary. I see as Burns as History's "gateway drug", turning people on to History as a subject to be pursued with mysteries to be solved and points to be debated.

Recommendations

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I have heard Ken Burns at St. Louis Speaker Series years ago Sherman A1 Jul 2021 #1
Burns documentary style is old school Apollo Zeus Jul 2021 #7
New wave docs v old school ones like Burns' is all a revelation to me. brush Jul 2021 #13
Both of the docs I linked to are in the more modern style Apollo Zeus Jul 2021 #14
Thanks for laying this all out so well. I am now aware... brush Jul 2021 #16
I'm working on a documentary now so I have been obsessed with Apollo Zeus Jul 2021 #18
Hey, thanks for adding so much to this thread, and good luck... brush Jul 2021 #22
I'm not a part of the documentary film community so this... brush Jul 2021 #12
Same Here! ProfessorGAC Jul 2021 #15
I am not anti Ken Burns Sherman A1 Jul 2021 #26
Here Goes Norbert Jul 2021 #2
Good list. I'm a fan of everyone on your list, too. brush Jul 2021 #11
In such a fantasy scenario I am more inclined to promote agitation. alphafemale Jul 2021 #3
For the most scintillating conversation: nuxvomica Jul 2021 #4
Ok, Ok. I like, I like. And thanks for the guests from hell, too. brush Jul 2021 #10
My list of historical figures to dine with... Whiskeytide Jul 2021 #5
Hahahahahahaha! Good one. brush Jul 2021 #8
Oscar Wilde, Bobby Kennedy, Bill Hicks, and George Carlin on the dead side of the table. Efilroft Sul Jul 2021 #6
Good one. I have to learn more about some on your list. brush Jul 2021 #9
Mine DemocratSinceBirth Jul 2021 #17
Great list. I'm a fan of all of them. I did have to google... brush Jul 2021 #19
I got to shake hands with Ali at the '84 Olympics in LA. 11 Bravo Jul 2021 #20
So kool. He's at the top on my list. brush Jul 2021 #23
Trump's List Elwood P Dowd Jul 2021 #21
not forgetting Ted Bundy. speak easy Jul 2021 #24
I would add Mark Twain to the list. Kingofalldems Jul 2021 #25
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Ken Burns was just on MSN...»Reply #18