Synopsis:  To make Capturing Reality, director Pepita Ferrari interviewed a number of prominent documentary filmmakers – Warner Herzog, Kim Longinotto, Albert Maysles, and Errol Morris to name a few.  Ferrari’s goal was to find out where they get their inspiration and what views of their profession.  The interviews are spliced with short excerpts that illustrate their arguments and beliefs.  The entire process of documentary filmmaking is addressed, from the planning and research to the final edit.  Some directors attach a great deal of importance to solid preparation through research; others prefer to be surprised by locations and subjects.  Some argue for more attention to visuals; others follow their subjects with small digital cameras, making concessions in cinematic quality in favor of the story.  But the primary topic is the filmmaker, and ultimately for fans of documentary cinema, Capturing Reality becomes a celebration of the truth. 

Review:  Capturing Reality is a documentary about documentaries.  It’s about the people who make documentaries and the reason they make them.  The film also examines the internal philosophies that impact how documentary filmmakers approach their films. 

The target audience for Capturing Reality is small.  For people interested in documentary films and the process of making documentary films, they will find this film interesting.  For everyone else, they will likely find Capturing Reality dry and slow. 

Director Pepita Ferrari is to be congratulated for the documentarians she interviewed for this film.  They represent some of the very best behind-the-camera talent ever gathered together in one film.  Through Ferrari’s interviews, we learn the inspiration and philosophies of some of the finest documentarians to ever pick up a camera.  From that perspective, Capturing Reality is very interesting. 

However, Capturing Reality is a bit of a trade film.  Just as I would probably not enjoy (or understand) a film about cabinetmaking and the inspiration that moves the finest cabinetmakers in the world, most people won’t find Capturing Reality a very interesting film.

(3.0 out of 5.0)

Film Website: http://www3.nfb.ca/webextension/capturing-reality/

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