Modern Social Problems in the Works of Novice Documentary Filmmakers

Abstract

The article highlights the significance of the topic of social problems among young documentary filmmakers represented at the VGIK International Student Film Festival. The author analyzes the visual and sound techniques used and reveals the interdisciplinary approach to creating an auteur documentary film. Young documentary filmmakers cannot stay away from the challenges posed by the global problems of modern humanity. In their works, they strive to reflect the most crucial social problems associated with ecology: environmental pollution, climate change, poverty and preserving the authenticity of small ethnic groups. For instance, the documentary film “Pirana” (12 min. Director Nainisha Dedhia, National Institute of Design, India) shows endless dumps leading to environmental disaster. The documentary “Dulhaji Dolena” (28 min. Director Anita Reza Zein, Indonesian Institute of the Arts Yogyakarta, Indonesia) presents human life in the context of an unresolved environmental problem: the constant threat of flooding the village and its dwellings. Another example is the film “The End of Eternity” (10 min. Director Pablo Radice University of Buenos Aires, Argentina) about the Amazonian community of Ese Echo, based in Palma Real, Peru. If there is no forest, there will be no life and there will be no Ese-Echo, either. Ese-Echo is a language on the verge of extinction. Hence, the importance of social problems is highlighted in the above-mentioned films. Despite the geographic remoteness of the filming areas, the filmmakers independently touch upon the pressing issues of modern mankind. Involvement in such topics is gaining international significance. In general, the festival gives an idea of the most disturbing themes among young filmmakers, allowing us to single out the main trends in the development of modern cinema.