Why Documentaries Matter
The other night, I was scrolling through Netflix in search of something to watch and landed on the cover for The Quilters (2024). Since I've been spending a lot of my free time immersed in the world of arts and craft, I thought a short documentary about quilters would be interesting, but then I learned what it was really about: A small group of men in a level 5 maximum security prison in Missouri who make quilts for foster children.
From start to finish, this film is a perfect example of why documentaries matter. They take you to places you otherwise wouldn't go, introduce you to people who challenge your preconceived notions, and give you a sense of wholeness and hope that people can and will change.
In an interview with The Moveable Fest, director Jenifer McShane talks about the choices she made in how to tell this story:
"I made a decision very early on that I wasn’t going to delve into their crimes and why they were there. One film can't be all films, and I had a very specific idea about this film being about the healing nature of art in a place that you wouldn't expect it, so that's why we meet them as quilters and obviously I talk about their sentence, so there's some sense of reference. Some of these men are not leaving, potentially, [with] life sentences, so that was context to understand that they're finding purpose, even though there's a good chance they might not be out again."
Modern documentaries can often be bloated puff pieces about celebrities and brands or vehicles for shocking personalities. In this film, McShane does an excellent job of having a clear point of view without the need for theatrics. If you are looking for a heartwarming story and some amazing craftwork—these guys can quilt!—then check out The Quilters on Netflix.
From the Archives: Music That Matters (2013)
In the early years of my business, before I ventured into podcasts, I developed websites and documentary-style promotional videos. In 2013, I worked with a local non-profit, Music That Matters, to produce a promotional video for them. Their mission was anything but simple: A group of musicians would put on concerts in prisons, sharing music and their testimonies with the prisoners. During their Eastern Oregon prison tour, I got to travel with them, film their performances, and even interview a few inmates.
Looking back at this project, this was one of my last projects using the Panasonic DVX100B and standard definition video. I also remember battling major imposter syndrome when I interviewed Dave Turin, who at the time was huge on Gold Rush. He was used to working with big time production companies, but I showed up at his house in the middle of nowhere with my Panasonic DVX100B and light kit—translation: a halogen work light I bought at Home Depot. Fortunately, he was gracious and it ended up being a great interview.
Something I'm Excited to Watch!
I just came across a new show called the Creative Slash Podcast featuring Dustin Lee of Retro Supply Co. and Brad Woodard of Brave The Woods.
Their premise is cool: "We go beyond portfolio talk to explore the slashes—designer/skater, illustrator/chef, photographer/philosophy nerd. Because creatives are more than just their job titles."
As someone who has a few slashes in my title, I'm looking forward to this show.
Newsletter Notes:
My sonic soundtrack is Interstellar (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) by Hans Zimmer.
I set the title type above with Epilogue from Google.
Chris I love this post and the documentary recommendation. I’m going to search out and watch “The Quilters”. Recently I watched a great documentary called “Chopin Saved my Life” and I also enjoyed “The Poet of dance”, both offered an insightful look at why art matters and how it is that it changes lives.