Approaches to and principles of documentary film analysis – using the example of Alex Gibney's «Taxi to the Dark Side» (2007)
Abstract
How to analyze a piece of art correctly? The question itself sounds banal, and the answer to it rather simple. However, while teaching classes on cinema analysis over the past 7 years, I have been noticing again and again how difficult this task for students actually is. The following 3 issues appear to be especially hard to deal with: 1) define the essence of the film 2) translate the director’s approach and intention (instead of merely describing the contents) 3) find an algorithm to what we actually need to direct our attention to.
The following article presents the reader with a concrete analysis technique, using Alex Gibney’s documentary “Taxi to the Dark Side” as a teaching example. I have to emphasize that the technique may be applied to any other art form (be it literature, music, theatre plays, to some extent painting and photography) that display the elements essence and structure.
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