The Autobiographical Mode (Response #7)

The Autobiographical mode of documentary, although not one of Nichol’s official six, definitely merits some attention. Pulling heavily from the other modes, particularly participatory, the autobiographical mode finds a way of using the extremely personal to make a general or even universal statement. Simply by their nature, autobiographical documentaries tend to be quite navel-gaze-ish. It is impossible to tell your story without focusing on yourself. What makes an effective documentary, though, is how well an audience can relate to your story.

We were able to watch several different documentaries in class that portray the autobiographical mode well. A lot of them seemed to have a similar focus on family. Bob made a good point in class. Everyone, he said, comes from some kind of family. And every family has their own set of problems that they attempt, with varying degrees of success, to cover up or gloss over. When someone tells the story of their family in such an honest and candid way as was portrayed in 51 Birch Street, we can’t help but relate to it.

Surprisingly it was the short film, Covnert, that resonated the most with me. The fascinating thing, however, was that the way in which I identified with it is very different from the reactions of Mindy, Bob, and Reilly. Instead of thinking back on my old investigators and baptisms, wondering where they are now, and dealing with the disappointment of their infidelity to the church, I was reminded of my experience coming home early from my mission and being treated by friends and family in a similar way as the Thai converts in the film.

Although Scott’s film was autobiographical, I didn’t identify with him. I identified with those he visited with. He was able to make his film autobiographical but not so blindingly about himself that a wider audience was able to glean more from it.

I am impressed with those who are brave enough to make such personal autobiographical films. You never know when your story may touch someone else and their  daring in expressing these experiences definitely touched me.