Hot Docs 2008

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The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia
Jennifer Baichwal 2002
Categories: Focus On Jennifer Baichwal
Average Rating:
Rated 4.226512769451141/5 Stars
My Rating:
Run time: 71 min. | Canada | Language: English
Kentucky-born photographer Shelby Lee Adams has created a famously controversial body of work. Over the past three decades, he has shot undeniably beautiful images of shockingly poor dwellers in the Appalachian Mountains. During that time, Adams has exhibited photographs in galleries and produced books, which have received great acclaim-and, from some quarters, moral disdain. The problem is that Adams's shots are perceived as being pure documentary records of rural backwoods culture-but they're not. Adams stages his scenes, often using theatrical lighting. In one purportedly exploitive example, he brought in a hog so it could be slaughtered by a "hillbilly" family and used as a subject for a photo. Complicating the issue is the fact that Adams's Appalachians willingly consent to work with him. Baichwal's incisive film documents Adams, his critics and the families he shoots. "Without passing judgment, [Baichwal] develops an extraordinary perspective, both moral and aesthetic," writes Brian D. Johnson in Maclean's magazine.
2 pictures Pictures
Screenings
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11:00 AM     Sat, Apr 19 Isabel Bader + add to cal buy tickets
About the film
Cast & Crew
director
Jennifer Baichwal
 
producer
Jennifer Baichwal
Nicholas de Pencier
cinematographer
Nicholas de Pencier
editor
David Warnsby
Audience Buzz
Rated 4.226512769451141/5 Stars
4.2 | 3
views 2,363 people viewed this page
adds 79 people added it to their calendar (find out who)
Featured Review
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Rated 5.0/5 Stars
theraven
1:39 PM
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It's a shame there is only 1 scheduled viewing of this excellent film. Adams is presented as genuine in his motivations and friendships with his subjects. Yet one can see the problems that presenting his photos without his personal knowledge or connection creates . The filmmakers let the audience have their initial reaction to his subjects, then provide the backstory to help the audience 'see' rather than 'judge' . Answers to the moral dilemmas raised for the creators and audience of all artistic works are left muddy.
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