I really resonated with your thoughts on reflexive and particpatory documentaries. I agree that "Surname Viet Given Name Nam" uses actors to make us question the reality of what documentries are showing us. That by acknowledging the constructed nature of the interviews the documenteries (like the ones in your response) often times force us to reflect on how easily we accept their realism without thinking about the layers of mediation behind it.
Your comparison to "The Gleaners and I" also helped clarify the difference between the two modes and was well thought out. While Varda is present and playful in her interactions, the goal feels more personal and empathetic rather than structural or critical. I liked how you described participatory documentaries as giving us a more individualistic view of an issue. Overall, your post made me think more deeply about how both modes invite the audience into the filmmaking process, just in different ways.
In regards to Response 3:
I really resonated with your thoughts on reflexive and particpatory documentaries. I agree that "Surname Viet Given Name Nam" uses actors to make us question the reality of what documentries are showing us. That by acknowledging the constructed nature of the interviews the documenteries (like the ones in your response) often times force us to reflect on how easily we accept their realism without thinking about the layers of mediation behind it.
Your comparison to "The Gleaners and I" also helped clarify the difference between the two modes and was well thought out. While Varda is present and playful in her interactions, the goal feels more personal and empathetic rather than structural or critical. I liked how you described participatory documentaries as giving us a more individualistic view of an issue. Overall, your post made me think more deeply about how both modes invite the audience into the filmmaking process, just in different ways.