Making documentary about illegal events
I've just watched "American Factory" - a 2019 American documentary film directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, about Chinese company Fuyao's factory in Moraine.
It contains lots of scenes and dialogue which put very prominent and rich man and his company in bad position, there are even illegal statements of rich man's employee caugh on camera. I'm referring to this:
It’s illegal under U.S. law to threaten or fire employees for trying to form a union.
and
“We didn’t know labor law, but a lot of that stuff is actually illegal,” Reichert says.
to name a few.
I'd expect that this kind of movie is shot with hidden camera or some other trick. But it seems that it was shot with full acceptance of rich man and his company.
How is that even possible? Isn't this film like some kind of mockumentary? Having those kind of bad things taped would be the last thing that I'd want as a rich man.
(in the movie there is only 1 short scene - with black screen because only voice was secredly recorded - which seems to be recorded without rich man's approval)
Best Answer
How is that even possible? Isn't this film like some kind of mockumentary? Having those kind of bad things taped would be the last thing that I'd want as a rich man.
It seems pretty clear that these were filmed in the open as part of a serious discussion.
As for the businessman's comments it also seems clear that this was part of clash of cultures the film is trying to highlight.
He just didn't care or, at the very least, was unaware of the fact (at the time) that what he was saying was potentially illegal.
It's quite surprising what people will say even when they know they are being filmed.
Also note that they dispute the words actually said.
Fuyao claimed the translations of Dewang was incorrect, while Liu called his translation misleading.
Pictures about "Making documentary about illegal events"
Do you need permission to make a documentary about someone?
It is absolutely legal for people to write unauthorized biographies, make documentaries or dramas about someone without needing their permission. You do not need permission to portray a real person in a work of art such as a book or movie - this happens all the time.Can you make a movie about a criminal?
Generally, a filmmaker will not be liable for filming a criminal admitting to a crime after the fact. Things can get murky however if a criminal begins talking about future crimes, or is being filmed during the actual commission of a crime.What are the 5 elements of a documentary?
Elements of a Documentary Film- Subjects. The subject is what your documentary is about. ...
- Purpose. The purpose is what the filmmaker is trying to say about the subjects of their film. ...
- Form. The form is the formative process of the film. ...
- Production method and technique. ...
- Audience experience.
What are the ethical issues in documentary filmmaking?
Honest Truths: Documentary Filmmakers on Ethical Challenges in Their Work- Pre-emptively protecting the subject.
- Preventing resale of images.
- Sharing decision making.
- Sharing control of fine cut.
- Paying subjects.
- Deception.
7 Fundamental Steps to Film a Short Documentary
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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