B16. Documentaries from the Edge (Long) (Friday)

Years ago, documentaries often seemed limited to tedious “white paper” reports or boring travelogues.  No longer!  Come with us, as we head along fascinating detours to bizarre but actual destinations and discoveries.  We will meet fascinating people who have been unjustly bypassed by mainstream culture.  Creative directors, such as Ross McElwee, Errol Morris, Kirby Dick, and Yung Chang, will open your eyes in ways that no other filmmakers have.  We will watch three documentaries and discuss their approaches and techniques to their subjects, as well as consider related films and directors.  An extensive filmography, provided to each class member, will also furnish much material for discussion.

GROUP LEADER:  Jeffrey Long, a film critic for the Worcester Telegram & Gazette since 2008, has offered approximately a dozen film courses in recent years.  He is also the author of the 500-page readers’ guide.