Film: What's 'Happening' at the Center for Doc. Studies

Let's face it: the Matrix sequels sucked, and the December blockbusters are still a few weeks away. If you need a fix of interesting film in the meantime, perhaps the Center for Documentary Studies can tide you over.

Last weekend was 8th annual Documentary Film and Video Happening, a program jointly sponsored by the Center for Documentary Studies and the Duke Program in Film/Digital/Video. The Happening is a documentary filmmaking festival, complete with screenings, discussions and filmmaking workshops. Like all local film community events, programming at the Center for Documentary Studies provides an ongoing opportunity for aspiring filmmakers to tap into the resources and experience afforded by a strong local support network. For the rest of us, campus programming is a chance to see something offbeat, interesting and important.

Documentaries are a chance to explore social issues concerning real people who haven't been liposuctioned and readied for the camera. The Happening featured two documentaries by filmmaker Hannah Weyer, investigating the lives of Mexican migrant workers. One focuses on the challenges of public education; the other on a marriage between migrant workers.

One exciting feature of watching a documentary such as Weyer's La Scola [School] is guessing whether the director is manipulating you, or if the director herself is being manipulated by the events around her. While a heavily edited piece such as Bowling for Columbine leaves little question as to the director's intent, others, including Weyer's, often leave conclusions up to the viewer. Most documentaries aren't brimming with special effects and beautiful people, but oftentimes the ability to capture elusive bits of "real life" is far more compelling and worthwhile.

Stay tuned for further documentary programming. Every month, the Center for Documentary Studies and the Southern Documentary Fund present "Fresh Docs," a series created to showcase works in progress by documentary filmmakers. The next screening, titled Voicebox, is sponsored by the Community Reinvestment Association of North Carolina and investigates the trials of life as an African-American man in the Triangle.

A screening of Voicebox, followed by discussion, will be held at the Center for Documentary Studies on Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.