Oliver Myall
12/5
Analysis of realism in film “Bowling for Columbine”
Many people may say that the film “Bowling for Columbine” by “Michael Moore” told them many things that they didn’t know about America today. If you were to watch the film without looking at it closely this would be true. But going underneath the narrative it reveals that there is insufficient evidence in most cases during the film to make it a fact. Many people feel that a documentary is supposed to be a factual piece of media but how can we believe that?
As soon as “Bowling for Columbine” begins we are shown several clips of ordinary life in America. A woman in sexy clothing holding a machine gun and then statue of liberty shown straight afterwards are some of them which is Michael Moore saying to the audience “This is America”. But is it? Do all women have machine guns? Not necessarily. Scenes like this happen a lot in the film and also contain voice overs which is Michael Moore speaking. This can make you believe what he is saying. Some have sound affects such as when Michael Moore is describing how many deaths there are in certain countries compared with America. The sound effect is an effect of a gun shot which makes the clip more realistic and painful. Also in the clips he gives no reference to where or who he has got the evidence to make the claims from. “Moore” basically uses sound and images to manipulate whatever he is showing. He doesn’t even have to say a word and already bad things go through the audiences mind.