The front page of today's New York Times online features a tout for an article by Stephen Holden on the ten best art films in theaters this summer. I was so pleased to see that he included non-fiction on his list! Both Man on Wire and Trumbo made the cut. In the introduction to the list, Holden says:
A fundamental question facing serious filmmakers who want their movies to be seen is how unvarnished the reality contemplated by their films can be before audiences become alienated.
This is something documentary filmmakers contemplate with every film, and craft. vs subject matter has been the topic of of a lively, ongoing debate in the documentary community throughout much of this year.
For more:
-Read Stephen Holden's "Serious Pleasures: Season's Sweet Spots" here.
-For more on Trumbo, the Documentary article I wrote about the film
-"Craft vs. Topic" - AJ Schnack's latest thoughts on the debate