Incident at Oglala

   Incident at Oglala is a documentary recounting a shootout on a Lakota Indian reservation between FBI agents and Native American residents. The film begins by establishing that on June 26, 1975, two FBI agents were following suspects in connection with the stealing of a pair of cowboy boots. They perused the suspects onto a property were a shootout erupted, leaving the two agents dead. The film then leaves the specifics of the story and goes on to establish the aura of the situation and the tension that existed not only between whites and Indians, but between Indians and other Indians. It recounts recent violent conflicts between the government and Indians at Wounded Knee, and between differing ideologies concerning modernism and tradition that were tearing apart the Indian community.

By revealing the different individuals motivations and a history surrounding the event the film reveals to us that the case is not cut and dried as it may have seen at first and simulates the exhaustive process of investigation and questioning that is required to gain an understanding of both the event and the situation as a whole. The film relies on interviews from people representing both sides of the issue as well as reenactments that change depending on who is recounting the story, and that never get too specific. While it can be difficult reenacting a disputed event without being biased, the film does a good job of presenting both the interviews and reenactments in a way that allows the viewer to come to their own conclusion(or lack of conclusion) of the story, instead of being force feed a point of view.

The filmmaker is faced with a lot of challenges in making this film, not the least being the unfortunate history of conflict between the US government and the Native American population. Another challenge is that they are telling an unresolved story concerning a volatile situation and individuals who still wielded power at the time the film was made. This required a lot of examination and judgment in picking and choosing what to include in the film. It is also a challenge to create a sense of balance, as it is not a one-sided issue.

While they never come to a specific conclusion, the filmmakers present evidence of corruptions in our judicial and law enforcement systems, as well as biases that exist in our societal structure. It also points out that there was a violent and fearful situation on the reservation, and brings attention to the idea that any resident being followed by a mysterious car on the reservation might have reason to fear for their life and act in self defense. But the film was not made to convince its audience of a specific conclusion, but merely presents the situation and allows the viewer to thinks for themselves, which has probably increased the impact that the film will and has had.
   Joe Steigerwald

American Movie – The Making of Northwestern” (1999) by Chris Smith & Mark Borchardt.

This documentary features three point lighting and sit down lighting to film Mark Borchardt, his family, and friends who helped him create his feature film, “Northwestern”, his short horror film, “Coven”. “American Movie” uses “in the moment” shooting of Mark Borchardt working. The audience sees him working at his numerous tasks throughout the three years that the film covers and has him working on both of those films. The camera shows the audience, Mark Borchardt shooting his film, and traveling to the locations he wants in his movie. This movie displays an intermingling of Mark Borchardt’s family life and his dream of making movies. The audience also gets a look at the financial hardships and the tragic loss of his children only pushes him harder to make his film.

After not being able to procure funds for his feature length film, “Northwestern”, Mark Borchardt goes back to his short horror film, “Coven”, a film he hadn’t touched in two years. Now that Mark Borchardt decides to change plans and finish his short horror film he still needs funding. With the help of his uncle Bill Borchardt and his uncle’s money, Mark is able to borrow three thousand dollars to finish his short film. In, “American Movie”, the audience follows Mark Borchardt’s journey in making his film. Along the way the viewers see Mark Borchardt’s private life, his moment’s depression, small successes and, his ability to rally all the help he can get to make his film, “Coven”. Throughout the film the camera appears as this floating thing among the action and at other times it is directly involved with the action. In,” American Movie”, there are also points were Mark Borchardt is alone just talking to the camera about what’s currently going on in his life and the film. During,” American Movie”, the viewers get to see clips from the movies Mark Borchardt made in his childhood. Ultimately this documentary ,” American Movie”, is about how badly does Mark Borchardt want to make it and what will he do and sacrifice to get his film, “Coven”, made?

As the camera follows Mark Borchardt the audience gets to see well composed and framed shots that are white balanced and lit well to insure the audience won’t miss anything. Overall,” American Movie”, is well made, esthetically pleasing and is a movie all filmmakers should see at least once. Mark Borchardt’s plight is engaging and touching to the viewer. Near the end of the film you see and feel the rush and tension of trying to get the final copy of,” Coven”, made and premiered. The audience goes to the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee’s own Mitchell Hall in the film department with Mark Borchardt were we see the post production process of, “Coven”, the camera acts as a fly on the wall as we observe the editing process and the tension to get the final copy of the film made. At the end of ,”American Movie”, the audience gets to see the big turn out of Mark Borchardt’s short film,” Coven”, a massive line of people waiting to see Mark Borchardt’s film. Afterwards Mark Borchardt is talking to his uncle Bill Borchardt about funding for his feature film, “Northwestern”, following that is a title card saying Bill Borchardt had passed away, and he left Mark Borchardt fifty thousand dollars to make the film.

I thought this was a good ending for, “American Movie”, because now Mark Borchardt could make his feature length film. This documentary was an excellent film to watch. Cinematically the approach of a meshed story about Mar Borchardt’s personal life, family life, life on the set, seeing parts of the film ,”Coven’, along the way, the pitfalls and the possibilities for Mark Borchardts journey during, “American Movie”, were all excellent to see. This documentary was filmed perfectly and the amount of work that went into was most defiantly staggering to make a great film like this. I see why this film was awarded The Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance film Festival. It is well deserved.

Matt Gonia.

Film 203 Introduction to Documentary Production