Reflexive Documentary By Sam Misha Daniel and Charlotte

Reflexive Documentary By Sam, Misha, Daniel and Charlotte

What is Reflexive Documentary? “Instead of seeing through documentaries to the world beyond them, reflexive documentaries ask us to see documentary for what it is; a construct or representation” (Nichols, 2001, P. 125) “Reflexivity draws our attention to our assumption and expectations about documentary form itself” (Nichols, 2001, P. 128)

Derrida (2002) A Documentary by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering Kofman • Following the life of French philosopher Jacques Derrida. • Derrida wrote over 40 books, as well as countless essays and has lectured extensively on a range of subjects. • His key area of interest was in post-structuralism and postmodern philosophy. • His most important theory is that of deconstruction, and this is something that is explored in the documentary Derrida. • Derrida is a reflexive documentary that deconstructs itself both from the outside in and the inside out.

Reflexive Deconstruction from the Outside In 13. 15 – Sound guy fiddling with clip mic in the shot. 1. 18. 02 – Long shot of camera looking into the set, seeing the construction. 33. 50 – Derrida watching himself.

Reflexive Deconstruction from the Inside Out 18. 40 – “So, this is what you call cinéma vérité? Everything is false” 13. 49 – The unnatural state of the documentary. 26. 40 – Can never forget the camera “If Dick and Ziering Kofman follow Derrida, Derrida is also following them. ” Royle, Nicholas (2005). "Blind Cinema". In Dick, Kirby; Ziering Kofman, Amy. Derrida. Routledge. p. 16. “Derrida does his best to undermine things, taking nothing at face value, becoming an active participant in the deconstruction of his own documentary” Chanan, Michael ( 2007) The Politics of Documentary, BFI Publishing. P. 217

Voice Over Narrator quotes Derrida’s own work In a way this is a form of reflexive deconstruction as she deconstructs Derrida into his philosophical parts. Also separates Derrida into his philosophical side and his everyday guy side.

References Royle, Nicholas (2005). "Blind Cinema". In Dick, Kirby; Ziering Kofman, Amy. Derrida. Routledge. Nichols, Bill (2001) Introduction to Documentary, Indiana University Press Chanan, Michael ( 2007) The Politics of Documentary, BFI Publishing. Derrida (2002) Directed by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering Kofman [Film]. France: Jane Doe Films “Jacques Derrida, " by Reynolds, Jack. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, ISSN 2161 -0002, http: //www. iep. utm. edu/, (04/11/14)