Essay on Camera Work, An

Synopsis

As a tool for cross-cultural research and representation, video has many advantages over other, older technologies of documentation. It also compounds many of the ethical dilemmas confronting the ethnographic researcher, largely through its ability to turn even the most casual gesture into a curio, a commodity. This video essay explores these issues by interrogating the film-maker’s own experience as a researcher in Ghana. At a street festival a young girl is delighted to discover a video camera trained on her, but her display is cut short when she realises that the cameraman had already lost interest in her. Using the brief clip of the passing girl as a springboard, the film discusses the issues of control and ownership, differing cultural notions of appropriate application, and widespread perceptions of video as primarily a commercial medium.

Language

English

Country

United States

Medium

Video; Videocassette. VHS. col. 22 min.

Year of production

1998

Availability

Sale; 1999 sale: US$220.00 (+p&p) PAL version

Subjects

Anthropology; Media studies

Keywords

anthropology in the media; documentary films; film and television production

Credits

Director

Kwame Braun

Distributor

Name

Documentary Educational Resources

Email

docued@der.org

Web

http://der.org/ External site opens in new window

Phone

+1 617 926 0491

Fax

+1 617 926 9519

Address

101 Morse Street
Watertown
MA 02472
USA

Notes

American company with an extensive catalogue of documentary films from around the world in the areas of ethnology, anthropology, world cultures, religion, women’s studies and human rights. Supplied on PAL/NTSC video and multi-region DVD, or download via the Reframe Collection (qv).