Course Assignment Documentary critical review 20%
Critical Review criteria:
The purpose of this assignment is to give the student(s) an opportunity to examine how representations of Indigenous people are handled in the popular, contemporary documentary/media industry. Specifically, in a documentary media review
Watch the documentary with a critical eye and think about the following while viewing
How Indigenous people are represented in the documentary
If or how Indigenous culture is dealt with in the documentary
Does the documentary accurately portray historical events or contemporary life of Indigenous people as you know it or how has this expanded your world view and /or your knowledge of Indigenous history
Does this documentary reinforce or perhaps, help to change any stereotypes of Indigenous people you may have had, or educate you on a different view of Indigenous people and their challenges.
Do Indigenous people play a part in the documentary, or did they produce and or direct it, is it their voice, their story or someone telling their stories.
You should begin by summarizing, in your own words, what the documentary is about. Think of telling a friend in a brief conversation what the documentary is about. You will be sharing this summary and your thoughts in a base group discussion. This should not take you more than about page of typed (double-spaced). The entire documentary review should be approximately 2 pages or 750 words. (More is acceptable)
Within the review attempt to identify and discuss at least 3 ideas from the course content
For example, you may wish to think about historical distortions, or historic facts, Ethnocentric/Eurocentric views, representation of Indigenous people etc. as they apply to the documentary. Perhaps, it is news that was new to you, contradictory to what you had heard, read or been taught. In addition to this, you are to discuss your personal reaction to the documentary by discussing how well you think representations of Indigenous people and culture are portrayed.
Grading Criteria Critical documentary review written submission: 15%
1. Accuracy and completeness (5)
2. Demonstration of an understanding of the link between the themes of the documentary and the course content (5) (refer to course outline to guide you)
3. Adequacy of summary (5)
4. Discussion and/or identification of themes, worldview, historical distortions, representation or misrepresentation of Indigenous peoples and culture, and recognition of Indigenous actors, and or producers, directors. (5)
5. Clarity of writing. Is it easy to read and understand? (5)
6. Understanding. To what extend does your work show your ability to analyze the content of the documentary in relation to what you have experienced and /or learned? (5)
Total of 30 points representing 15% of the assignment. The other 5% in-class.
-You can pick from the following
Need min. 2 individuals with same documentary choice max 3-
Total of 3 groups: For the base group in-class discussions November 10th
The Sacred Relationship (52mins) (needs college process)
https://www-nfb-ca.eztest.ocls.ca/film/sacred_relationship/
The Sacred Relationship explores how reconciling the relationship between Aboriginal people and the rest of Canada can lead to healthier water.
Documentary review team for Sacred relationship:
Angry Inuk (59 mins) now on CBC Gem but there is a free trail, clicked red button and was able to watch.
https://www.cbc.ca/cbcdocspov/episodes/angry-inuk
This film interweaves the reality of Inuit life with the story of their challenge to both the anti-sealing industry and those nations that mine resources on Inuit lands while simultaneously destroying the main sustainable economy available to the people who live there. As one student said, We need to stop the cultural prejudice that is imposed on us by not being allowed to benefit from our natural surroundings without having to drill into the ground. And thats really all we want as a people.
Angry Inuk documentary review team:
After the Last River (91 mins) (again, was able to click and watch)
https://confederationc.kanopy.com/video/after-last-river
In the shadow of a De Beers diamond mine, a remote Indigenous community lurches from crisis to crisis, as their homeland transforms into a modern frontier. Rosie Koostachin delivers donations to families who live in uninsulated sheds, overgrown with toxic mold. She is determined to raise awareness, believing that if only Canadians knew, her hometowns dire situation would improve. Over five years, filmmaker Victoria Lean follows Attawapiskats journey from obscurity and into the international spotlight twice. Weaving together great, distances, intimate scenes and archive images, the documentary chronicles the First Nations fight for justice in the face of hardened indifference.
After the Last River documentary review team:
