At first, my understanding of documentaries was simply based on the truth of the content and plot. In the process of watching "Nanuk of the North", I was fascinated by Flaherty's narrative method and a magical creative method. Is there really room in Nanook's canoes for that many people? In such a small and airtight Igloo, where does the light in the living room of Nanuk's family in the picture come from, don't tell me "a small ice window can do it", even if Fraha Di is showing such a fact, but it is not necessarily convincing to the professional. Questions like this, I believe many people have it.
During the filming of the film, Nanook was not only the subject of the film, but more often he was also Flaherty's partner. To explain it in modern terms, Nanook is not only an actor, he is also a screenwriter, a planner, and even the role of an assistant director at certain times. If a man who expresses his curiosity about the phonograph in a biting way, if he needs to participate in the shooting of a landmark film, then the performance of Nanook's investment in the film and television industry is evident in the film.
When Flaherty was about to leave in 1920 after filming enough footage, Nanook was dazed, and it probably felt like you learned about Nanook when you first saw the film's prologue. It feels like a good actor starved to death on the way to a hunt.
In this way, after more than a year in the North Pole, in the winter of 1921, a "Nanuk of the North" that refreshed moviegoers was completed on Flaherty's editor.
What is a documentary? This is my question for a long time after watching "Nanuk of the North". If you blindly pursue truth, is it acceptable to set up suspense at the expense of acting for the sake of truth? When Flaherty realized that something in his feeling was expressed in the language of pictures, he began to look for the appearance of this feeling. Whether it's performing the daily routine in the cold temperature, or trying to catch fish in the ice water with a harpoon (in fact, Nanook is already used to using a shotgun), as well as ferocious sea lions and seals that everyone can hold, Nanook can't be. Denial acts as the best performer. (Nanouk further enhanced his dramatic acting talent in the process of capturing seals)
If in such a harsh and cold Arctic, without the help of Nanook, Flaherty may need longer time and energy to complete. Such works, and I also firmly believe that without Nanook, there would be no Nanook of the North. All in all, the great artistic achievement is not just the credit of the director Flaherty, Nanook's contribution is a factor worth thinking about behind the greatness of Flaherty.
Constructing drama on the basis of reality may not seem so intolerable now.
Because the director changed the viewing habits of the audience, and the actors changed their habits for the audience.
The director is great, and the actors are also professional.
What to say, alas, sleep.
View more about Nanook of the North reviews
