Science documentaries have always been an integral part of the renowned European doc film festival, CPH:DOX. This year, the event went beyond showcasing a broad selection of films in the CPH:SCIENCE section. It also provided a platform for conversations about the evolving role of science documentaries with industry experts, including filmmakers, producers, commissioners, and public broadcasters.
Shifting the Focus of Science Docs
The afternoon conference talk, “Widening the Scopes of Science Docs,” moderated by Kat Cizek, a Peabody- and Emmy-winning documentarian and author of “A Short History of the Highrise,” delved into the shift in contemporary science documentary filmmaking. The focus has moved away from overt didacticism towards more engaging and thought-provoking storytelling.
Exploring Untapped Perspectives
One of the visionary filmmakers who participated in the discussion was Alex Villard-Faure, a commissioning editor at ARTE. Villard-Faure shared insights into his upcoming series, “Origins: A Tale of Light,” which takes viewers on a journey through the history of the universe. What sets his series apart is its unique perspective, focusing on the role of light narrated by a soft, ethereal female voice. Inspired by the bestselling book “The Greatest Trick of Life” by astrophysicist David Elbaz, this series offers a fresh take on the cosmos.
Unveiling the Mystery of Climate Change
Another fascinating film that premiered at CPH:DOX was “The Cloud People,” co-directed by Marius Léna. This humorous, poetic, and existential film, set in Barbados, explores the connection between clouds and climate change. Léna emphasized that science has become too vast for any single mind to comprehend fully. Instead of compiling facts, the film encourages viewers to examine their relationship with knowledge and how scientists arrive at their conclusions.
Empowering Science Storytelling
Sandbox Films, a New York-based production studio, strives to reinvent science documentary storytelling. Jessica Harrop, an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and founding member of Sandbox Films, highlighted their approach of asking more questions than providing answers. By reimagining the characters portrayed as scientists in their films, they aim to encourage people to ask their own questions and discover new perspectives on the universe. An example of their innovative approach is the film “Wilfred Buck,” which presents the story of an Indigenous star scientist offering a non-Western view of astronomy.
Captivating Visuals
To illustrate this fresh approach, Cizek selected a mesmerizing clip from “Black Holes: The Edge of All We Know” by Peter Galison, a Sandbox film that premiered at CPH:DOX in 2020 and later was acquired by Netflix. The clip featured a graphic inspired by the power of 10, showcasing the vastness of the universe in light-years. Harrop mentioned that they collaborated with an architect and Harvard colleague of Galison’s to create this awe-inspiring graphic, allowing viewers to truly grasp the immense scale of a black hole.
A Platform for Documentary Professionals
CPH:Conference, developed in collaboration with Documentary Campus, provided a rich and interactive platform for documentary professionals to exchange ideas and insights. During the festival’s five-day program, industry experts had the opportunity to discuss contemporary themes in documentary filmmaking, fostering collaboration and innovation within the field.
CPH:DOX offers a unique and expansive perspective on science documentaries. By exploring new storytelling techniques, pushing boundaries, and embracing untapped perspectives, these documentaries inspire viewers to engage with science in profound and thought-provoking ways. To learn more about the festival, visit F5mag.com.
Source: Variety