As a journalist, I'm intrigued that this film helped to solve a wrongly decided case through an interview process. By asking questions, Morris was able to get the truth out and catch things on film that actually brought the real story out. If you ask the right questions, it's always possible to get the real story of somone. I am impressed, though, with his ability to ask the right questions. That is the hardest part of the interview process.
As a non-fiction writer, I am interested in the juxtaposition of many interviews in one film, and in documentary in general. We talk a lot in class about how memory is flawed, and differs from person to person even when they experience the same event. In this case, it's the combination of a lot of memories and a lot of experiences from a variety of people involved in the case that can be pieced together to find the truth. This makes me consider if the essay is an incomplete form in trying to come up with truth. Of course, it's a different kind of truth because it's based on personal preferences.
However, I am drawn to adding more perspectives into the depiction of an event. It is probably because of my journalistic background. For my final essay I'm going to experiment and see if I can create an experience by either writing from two perspectives or writing from the perspective of someone else who was there. I'm not sure how that will go, but I think it will be cool to try. It may create a story with more dimension.
Considering this film after reading the Orchid Theif, it makes me think that if someone is determined enough in a project and puts enough time into it they can come up with a solution to a mystery. However, a lot of times there is no answer to the mystery as Susan Orlean finds out in the Orchid Theif. She decides to abandon her search for a blooming Ghost Orchid because she may be better off not knowing. Of course, when this film freed an innocent man I'm sure Morris believed his pursuit of the truth was warranted. There are only so many situations where you can say you found out what the truth of the matter is. It must be rewarding when you are always searching for it.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Orchid Obsession
I find myself getting lost in the detailed stories and the plethora of orchid experts that are described in Susan Orleans The Orchid Theif. I don't find those sections quite as appealing because I don't feel I know the characters as well as I know Laroche. I know a lot about orchids and the different types, but I want to know more about the characters I have formed relationships with.
I was drawn in by the section about Florida as the last frontier because it is always growing. They talk about draining swamps and making them livable, and it's hard to imagine that's how a lot of it was developed. I had never heard the amount of sand that was need to create Miami Beach. Other facts like this that took knowledge I had and related it to orchids is always enjoyable.
The section where Orlean goes back to the swamp with the prisoners was also worthwhile. Imagining roads in a suburban grid in the middle of nowhere is a great image. Especially when you picture bags of flour being dropped to mark property lines. I can see people investing in Golden Gate Estates today. It makes me think of sales people trying to push time shares.
Orlean's encounters with the prisoners characterize her well. She has been wading through this swamp before unarmed, and these prisoners are scared of snakes and need machetes. This shower her strenght and sense of adventure. She is hear because she wants to be, yet she is still weary of being with armed prisoners.
I like how she mentioned that the swamp could easily swallow people, and it goes along well with the theme of the book. There are so many things you can love, cherish, accomplish in the world and if you don't narrow it down to something you can be lost in it all. It's up to her to find her passion. She's fighting to find it as she is fighting through the silk swamp.
Of course, I was glad when Orlean finally had the opportunity to find ghost orchids. The woman who showed her the orchids, Savilla, also added to the air of myster of orchid theft. It was good to hear from someone who has a passion for orchids but was a victim of theft. It was a good balance.
Overall, I'm amazed that people's passion can be so deep about a flower. It's clear, though, that there has to be something to this because it's not just one man, it's a community worldwide. It's always interesting to analyze people's motives for doing things when they are passionate, even if it's not your passion.
I was drawn in by the section about Florida as the last frontier because it is always growing. They talk about draining swamps and making them livable, and it's hard to imagine that's how a lot of it was developed. I had never heard the amount of sand that was need to create Miami Beach. Other facts like this that took knowledge I had and related it to orchids is always enjoyable.
The section where Orlean goes back to the swamp with the prisoners was also worthwhile. Imagining roads in a suburban grid in the middle of nowhere is a great image. Especially when you picture bags of flour being dropped to mark property lines. I can see people investing in Golden Gate Estates today. It makes me think of sales people trying to push time shares.
Orlean's encounters with the prisoners characterize her well. She has been wading through this swamp before unarmed, and these prisoners are scared of snakes and need machetes. This shower her strenght and sense of adventure. She is hear because she wants to be, yet she is still weary of being with armed prisoners.
I like how she mentioned that the swamp could easily swallow people, and it goes along well with the theme of the book. There are so many things you can love, cherish, accomplish in the world and if you don't narrow it down to something you can be lost in it all. It's up to her to find her passion. She's fighting to find it as she is fighting through the silk swamp.
Of course, I was glad when Orlean finally had the opportunity to find ghost orchids. The woman who showed her the orchids, Savilla, also added to the air of myster of orchid theft. It was good to hear from someone who has a passion for orchids but was a victim of theft. It was a good balance.
Overall, I'm amazed that people's passion can be so deep about a flower. It's clear, though, that there has to be something to this because it's not just one man, it's a community worldwide. It's always interesting to analyze people's motives for doing things when they are passionate, even if it's not your passion.
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