The_Film_That_Changed_My_Life

114 Steve James
an outsider. She had the courage to go into a situation, spend the time there,
and really try to understand it. You feel that all through the movie. In many
respects, she became a template for the kind of filmmaker I want to be.
You mentioned that you’ve gotten to know Barbara a little bit since
then. Have you confessed to her that she derailed your first dream?
James: I’ve certainly told her how much that film means to me. But she’s
made so many films. In some ways, this one stands as the perfect capstone, if
you will. It’s her first film. She’s made so many important films over the years
that impacted me, like American Dream and Fallen Champ.
You talked about what you take from Harlan County. Are there any
other explicit lessons you take as a filmmaker, in terms of editing,
approach, or dealing with subjects? Is there anything specifically that
this film taught you?
James: This is a film that’s not pure verité at all. The Maysles brothers tended
to be much more purist. Frederick Wiseman still is a purist. What Barbara
did was to go into a classic verité situation, but then she really talked to
people. The film is made up of many, many interviews. In fact, seeing it
again after many years, I didn’t remember that there were as many moments
in the film where the subjects are just interacting with her as they are. My
gut recollection was that it was more verité throughout.
For readers who don’t know what verité means, let’s put it in your words.
James: “Cinema verité” or “direct cinema” is this concept of the observational
filmmaker. Filmmakers go in and, in its purest essence, they capture
unfolding reality and make no attempt at all to influence it in any way,
including not interviewing; they would be a fly on the wall—they would be
in the room observing but would have no impact. Now, of course, as a filmmaker,
that’s virtually impossible. I think even cinema verité filmmakers,
the purists, know that. It’s not like they’re naive.
Right. I think with the Maysles brothers, that fabric quickly goes away.
Grey Gardens—that exists, I’m convinced, because the daughter is in
love with one of the Maysles brothers.