How the Film has Succeeded or Failed in Telling the Story
The aim of the film/documentary is to document and present the lives of the Ju/’hoansi, traditional community in Southern part of Africa (A Kalahari Family). Ju/’hoansi was a traditionally, hunting and gathering community; John Marshall successfully manages to portray hunting and gathering by this community in the sense that: The film is acted in a natural Savannah environment characterized with shrubs and dry land. On the other hand, Marshall selects local actors, particularly from the Ju/’hoansi community with physical appearance that resemble the traditional Ju/’hoansi hunters and gatherers (A Kalahari Family). Consequently, the actors are dressed in traditional regalia that were worn by the uncivilized Ju/’hoansi communities.
Treatment of the Subjects
Considering the fact that the aim of the documentary is to show the significant changes that have occurred within the Ju/’hoansi community for a period of 50 years until independence, the subjects received fair treatment i.e. subjecting the subjects to natural environments characterized with shrubs or interacting with wild animals: This is fair because it elicits a sense of naturalness among viewers. It is imperative to acknowledge that the aim of the film is to express how the Ju/’hoansi community has changed. In this perspective, subjecting the subjects or actors into certain environments i.e. consumption of traditional food, basically facilitates achievement of the objectives.
Insights gained from the Film
Elements that made the Film Successful or a Failure
One of the most powerful scenes of the documentary occurs during the introductory stages of the film, particularly in Part One where John Marshall meets a ‘primitive’ or uncivilized community. He is met with a group of excited and naked children that are curious about his looks as well as his dressing. The children touch his clothes, shoes and hands as if they have just seen an alien: This is one of the most powerful scenes in this film; it shows how far humans have come in regard to civilization.
The other powerful scene occurs at the fourth part of the documentary; that is, ‘Standing Tall’. This scene shows a wide contrast with the first part of the documentary. It shows that Ju/’hoansi community dressed in clothes, hats and shoes. They are also rearing animals and are practicing modern farming. This scene shows positive change in a once primitive society; it elicits feelings of achievement and success.
Impact of the Film on Personal Opinion
Work Cited
A Kalahari Family. Dir. John Marshall. 1970. DVD.
