Passing Girl; Riverside: an Essay on Camera Work 1997
Distributed by Documentary Educational Resources, 101 Morse Street, Watertown, MA 02172; 617-926-0491
Produced by Kwame Braun
Directed by Kwame Braun
VHS, color, 24 min.
Adult
Media Studies, Art
Date Entered: 11/09/2018
Reviewed by Gerald Notaro, University Librarian, Nelson Poynter Memorial Library, University of South Florida, St. Petersburg CampusPassing Girl; Riverside: an Essay on Camera Work is a short (24 minutes), odd, little film. The word "essay" in the subtitle is telling and appropriate. It indicates a personal and reflective work, which it is, and one that may have very limited appeal, which it does. Filmmaker Kwane Braun was born and raised in Ghana. Though he is white and not native, his parents' work in the area as medical missionaries has given him entree that few other whites could have. Braun's narration begins as he shows, and re-shows, a short 11-second scene he has recently filmed of a young girl passing by at a street festival. He discloses what he was thinking at the time of the filming, and his thoughts upon reviewing and reflection. His narrative tends to wander, especially as he becomes increasingly philosophic about his role as videographer. Moreover, the narration becomes studied and overly declaimed. He films street performers and actors as they perform short plays. Some of these tapes ultimately make their way to remote villages, shown on monitors that are powered by generators. Braun reflects his concern on compensation for their work, and their rights to the performances. He has created a video that is more process than product. Passing Girl; Riverside: an Essay on Camera Work would make an interesting addition to academic collections that support media studies, but in general collections.