Special Critique: Searching for Angela Shelton, Pg.
3
Visual
Look
The look of the film was raw in areas, as there was a lot
of handheld camerawork and shots out of a moving RV window,
but these fit the films raw edge. Probably one of the most
effective things they make use of in the film is the use
of black and white photographs with zooming pans across
them.
One
of the most effective photos was a picture of Angela Shelton
(the director) huddled in the corner of a wooden boxcar
(pictured below on the right). The picture amazingly shows
what it must be like to feel all alone, in the darkness
of ones' own secret shame. The fact that they showed this
picture while she was talking to Anonymous Angela only drove
the point home all the more.
Some
of the most powerful images
come as black and white stills...
...like
this one which shows the
loneliness of abuse.
Use
of Audio
There were a fair number of phone conversations, many of
which were somewhat muffled and difficult to make out. Like
Angela, I have had to record cell phone conversations for
a feature documentary, and it is possible to do them and
have them sound better; however, it's also possible for
them to sound much worse. Considering that Angela was driving
all around the country, dealing with uncertain reception,
and talking about subjects that most people lower their
voices to talk about, I'm inclined to focus on the latter
point rather than the former. Besides, she includes subtitles
so you can understand every word that is actually being
said.
There
wasn't a whole lot of music in the film-maybe three or four
songs; but the ones that were there fit the film well. It
wasn't perfectly mastered, but even that was appropriate
for the rawness of the subject. One of the most evocative
songs was an old hymn of strength performed live by a black
woman she interviews.
Use
of Budget
Many of you who have become familiar with this site are
probably asking why I am reviewing a film that has a $300,000
budget when most of the ones we're targeting are $30,000
or below. The reason for this is very clear: this film embodies
the spirit of what ultra-low budget indie filmmaking is
all about. Angela has made a film that is personal to both
her and her audience; Searching for Angela Shelton shows
the world through eyes that Hollywood seems to have forgotten
how to use.
As
to how well she used her budget, I would guess that used
up every last dime of her budget in actually travelling
to make her film. This was a film that required Angela to
buy or rent an RV, pay for food for her six-to-eight-member
crew, and put gas in the vehicle as she traveled across
the country, searching out Angela Sheltons for 60 days.
That doesn't even include cell phone roaming charges, batteries,
film development, or the initial purchase or rental of cameras
and audio equipment.
All
told, I think she did a great job making the film on the
budget she needed in order to complete it.
This
film looks at the journey
one must endure in life...
...and
realizes that there is
much joy despite the pain.
Lasting
Appeal
This is a movie to own and show to friends. I've screened
this with three other groups of our reviewers and they've
all been blown away by it. The men were no less blown away
by the sheer reality presented in the film than the women
who watched it.
If
you are a woman, showing this film to a few girlfriends
could be a great way to break down the barriers of silence
and allow them to see that they're not alone. Even if you
don't think any of your friends have had this happen to
them, you might be surprised. You can buy this film from
the director's website for $24.95 or you can wait until
March, when a specially edited version of the film will
air on the Lifetime channel.
Overall
Comment This is a necessary movie to watch--especially if you
are a woman. The joy it manages to find will leave you mindful
of the good that is to be found in life, despite the darkness
that too often creeps under locked doors. This a movie about
overcoming the darkness and allowing yourself to step into
the light.
I
dare you to watch this film and come away unaffected.
