The time and context of the film is interesting as since 2002-2005 the way in which youth interact would have changed. Although I have not seen the documentary, I imagine that the filmmaker would have to consider a lot more ethics wise granted the rise in internet communications.
This is what I took from the reading (This article was quite lengthy, so excuse the bullet points):
- The idea that ethics informs film practice.
- however, we all have preconceived judgements about our film subjects and we should have an awareness to these.
- Ethical considerations can sometimes restricts the content form.
- film can express what is occurring in society (in the context of Tagged their were a lot of issues regarding racial stereotype in Bankstown)
- contractual elements of film can craft the content in an ethical manner. For example, the chronological timeline shows the subjects growing up and interviews allow for discussion of their viewpoints. The director could have constructed the film to depict the youth as their negative stereotypes but chooses not to in order to reflect a reality, rather than expectation of the subjects.
- Their are many perspectives on what contsitutes as the truth, many of which remained “circular” or unresolved.
- this doco is assumed non-fiction therefore I believe it should aim to reflect reality. The film also acts as a historical record and might be used in the future.
- the article also raises about the extent of consent.
- Ethics informs morality and therefore persuades the aesthetic of the film.
- ideology can conflict with directoria choice.
- The idea of axiographics is a new idea to me. The extension of the gaze and power relationships I studied when watching “Thelma and Louise” whereby the structure of the female gaze is subverted to alter the stereotype that it is only men who “check out” the opposite sex.
- non-verbal dialogue can communicate a huge deal about a character.
- raises the argument of ethics compromising film quality.
- “Struggling with notion of truth” grounds film makers to consider ethical consequences of their art.
- Does ethics effect the accessibility of film ?
- “Consent and payment” is one issue that remains. For example, many felt unsettled by victims of the Sydney siege seeming to profit from subsequent TV interviews
- on “political reaction” “perceived unfairness” and the “imbalance of power” is the consideration of the author to consider pre-established prejudices when entering the filmaking process.
- I respect that the filmmaker considered “pre conceived ideas” about the ‘real’ people of Bankstown and wanted to create a “truthful” representation. Representation of ethnic groups matters !!.
- The subversion of stereotype with the Lebanese Muslim family considers ethics and the social context of the piece.