March of the Penguins - National Geographic
 |
| https://cdn.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/march-of-the-penguins.jpg |
INTRODUCTION
This review is written in attempt to determine the elements of Expository mode of representation in the documentary March of the Penguins by National Geographic in 2005. The theory to use is semantic and syntactic approaches to genres.
THEORY DISCUSSION
Documentaries assessments are based on objectivity. The filmed events are not staged in order to provide authentic look and content to viewers.
There are six modes of representations in documentary which are poetic, expository, observational, interactive, reflexive, and performative. Expository mode of representation in documentaries can be identified when there are authoritative voice-over or Voice-of-God commentary to make the documentary sound romantic and didactic.
SYNOPSIS
The cycle of life of the Emperor's penguins is disclosed in this documentary. Every autumn, these animals leave the safety of ocean and march along twenty days to a place called 'Oamack'.
Once they are there, they select their mates, they procreate, and take turns to protect and feed their offspring. They return to the sea when their offspring is old enough to protect themselves from predator and harsh weather.
Later, their progeny go to the ocean, where they stay for four years. They follow the same pattern of their parents to come back to land when they reach their adult life.
ANALYSIS
In the documentary, the use of Voice-of-God commentary was used where the entire narration was done by Morgan Freeman who had an authoritative voice. The narration was descriptive, romanticized, emotional, and didactic in the documentary.
This type of documentary tried to be as objective as possible and attempted to tell what was right and happening at the moment. It could be achieved by revealing the truth, reality, and historical side of the world, such as the South Pole where the world really curious about.
In the film, the survival of penguins were determined by natural selection and the law of wildlife. The documentary showed the hardship of penguins living in such harsh and dangerous environment in South Pole.
Viewers were able to witness the process of their mating, how an egg died on icy cold ground, how an elder penguin died in winter storm, how mother and chicks died in the hands of predator, how a weak chick died of hunger, and lastly how they were able to go back to the ocean after all these struggles.
The documentary was shoot by hidden cameras where there was no cameras or other equipment shown in the documentary. The shots taken were either shot from far or avoided other cameras when there were multi-camera operating.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, expository mode of representation can be easily determined through authoritative commentary in documentaries. Viewers were able to feel the hardship of penguins surviving the winter through the narration and visuals.
REFERENCE
Comments
Post a Comment