Direct Cinema

At the end of the 50's to mid 60's the development of documentary film underwent major changes. In production, film-makers began using a camera that is lighter and thecar, a small number of crew, and the rejection of the draft manuscript and traditionalstructures. They are more spontaneous in recording the image ( without the set ), minimal use of narrative by letting the object speak for themselves ( the interview ). This approach is known by many terms, such as "candid" cinema, "uncontrolled" cinema, tocinema Verite (in French), but generally known as Direct Cinema. Some factorsinfluencing the emergence of this trend, namely the Italian neorealism movement thatpresents a realistic everyday, technological innovation 16mm cameras smaller andlighter, innovation portable voice recorder, and television performers whose popularityis increasing. Cinema Direct approach is widely used mainly American film maker,Canada, and France.



In America, the bearers of Direct Cinema of the most influential are the Robert Drew, aproducer who also photojournalist. Drew leads several experienced documentaryfilmmakers such as Richard Leacock, Don Pannebaker, and David and AlbertMaysles. Drew producing documentary films are more devoted to television, one of the most influential of which is the Primary (1960). The film portrays the political contestbetween John Konnedy and Hubert Humprey in Wisconsin. Drew with his assistantsrecord the moment for spontaneous moments. The camera turns to follow wherever thetwo politicians are gone, at work, a public meeting on the street, made a speech, andeven when it was relaxing in the hotel. In the development of Leacock, Pannebaker,and the Maysles leave the company owned by Drew and form their own company.Some are producing important documentary films such as What's Happening? The Beatles in New York (1964) direction which is considered a Maysles brothersdocumentary America's first without the use of narrative altogether.


In France, one of the bearers of cinema's most influential Verite is Jean Rouch. One of the most influential works are considered (even in the world) is Cronicle Of A Summer(1961). Rouch collaborated with the sociological, Edgar Morin using new approachesCinema Verite, ie not merely observe and sympathetic but also provocative. "You pushthese people to confess themselves ... it's very strange kind of Confession in front ofthe camera, the camera is Nowhere, let's say, a mirror, and Also a an open window tothe outside" said Rouch. In the film looks Morin discussions with students and workersin the City of Paris about their lives with the cast the key question, "Are you happy?".Rouch let the subject defines itself by nature of their problems through theirperformance in front of the camera.


Since the mid 60's, the development of technology 16mm and 35mm cameras arebecoming more sophisticated and more light add to the flexibility the bearer DirectCinema. Since the early 60's, almost all documentary filmmakers have used thehandheld camera technique to record all events. Direct Cinema was also influential inthe development of fictional movie aesthetically through new wave movement, such asin France. New Wave filmmakers often use handheld cameras, lighting available, aminimal crew, and shot on location. Even the films (fiction) was often adoptedtechnique mainstream Direct Cinema to add elements of realism of a scene. CinemaDirect approach in general affect the development of film art in the world especially in the era of the '60s and the '70s.