Documentary Films: Nonfictional Films to Preserve & Evolve - Essay Sample

Introduction

Documentary films are described as nonfictional films or motion pictures that are made with the intention of documenting reality with the main aims being to offer instructions, educating, or even preserving historical records or events. Documentary filming has been considered a significant film doing practice that is depicted as a continuing and evolving practice from the traditional concept of being termed as actuality films to the contemporary period whereby they serve many crucial functions such as educating, docufiction, entertaining and as a means of maintaining historical events. Considerably, social platforms have enhanced the distribution of documentary films and therefore promoting the industry as a whole. As discussed below, documentary films usually have significant rhetorical appeals portrayed by ethos, logos, and pathos, as well as different techniques. The techniques may be used for various purposes, such as entertaining, informing, or persuading. On the other hand, the ethos is rhetors basically perceived by the film audience as either credible or not. Pathos is used to persuade the film audience by enhancing them feel certain emotions depicted in the film, while logos persuade the audience through the arguments that are perceived as logical. This has been clearly evident in the Sicko, which is an American documentary film produced in 2007 by Michael Moore. The film, which focuses on health care in America, is an inspiration for the corrupt and inefficient health care insurance depicted by the vast of American people that lack proper medical care. Their healthcare provider makes it difficult for them to get proper medical attention or because they cannot afford health insurance.

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The rhetorical appeals in the Sicko documentary are exhibited by the ethos, pathos, and logos in the film. These appeals have been significant in captivating the audience as well as aiding in impacting the message portrayed in the film. The pathos has been prominent in the film. The film constitutes numerous traumatic and sad stories that have affected the people as a result of an ineffective healthcare system. These stories have induced emotional feelings to the audience as they sympathize with the victims. For instance, the injured people, for example, the person who had lost his fingertips, and had to decide which finger should be treated. Significantly the story of the man sewing his knee is extremely emotional. A few minutes of watching the film, all my attention had been drawn, and I was ready to take Michael's side of argument of the film. The film constitutes several tragic family stories that have been influential in inducing the emotional pains resulting from the health care system and the insurance companies. Logos appeal has been demonstrated throughout the film. Michael has made numerous arguments in the film and has considerably backed his arguments. All his arguments in the film have been thoroughly supported by adequate and significant statistics that are logical and informative. For instance, it is logical to support the argument of America having poor healthcare system to state that it is ranked position 37 out of 191. This is significantly a poor ranking in relation to the fact that America is a powerful country. Considerably, ethos is also evident in the film. Michael's credibility is noticeable from the narration of the entire film. Additionally to narration, he effectively shows his credibility and trustworthiness of his information in the film. Therefore, he strongly believes in what he has portrayed in the film, and this has been clearly shown from the way he is presented on the screen.

Nevertheless, the appeals used in the film have been effective. The use of pathos has been crucial in getting the attention of the audiences. Michael has used ethos and pathos simultaneously as he establishes his credibility through the use of interviews as well as research in the film. Significantly, the interviews used in his research greatly induce emotions to the audience and make them have compassion and be sympathetic. However, I would challenge the appeals that there is inadequate credibility of the solutions that would be taken in America in order to rectify the health care system and enhance the improvement of its performance.

Consequently, Michael has used different techniques in the film to inform and persuade. The technique of using astounding interviews and cold hard facts captivate the audience and show the awfulness of the American healthcare systems and the insurance industries as well as dragging the audience so that they could feel part of the pain. Additionally, his choice of character is another significant technique. These techniques have been applied to inform the American people of the state of the healthcare system. He himself, as the starring character, conducted significant interviews and publicly expressed his opinions and exhibited the skewed and disrupted the healthcare system. The technique of using protests involving four main groups and within American soil shows the condition of health care. Considerably, the techniques have been persuasive on the need to induce changes in the system.

The film constitutes numerous arguments and claims. The claims are that health care insurance companies in America are set in a way that they make profits and save a lot of money and, therefore, intentionally deny health care with the aim of saving money. Michael juxtaposes the health care system of America and other states in the world so as to expose the differences in the abilities to offer universal healthcare. For instance, after the journey to a small developing country, Cuba, he makes an argument that America should be in a position to offer free universal health care, as he makes a comparison of Cuba and America in relation to the number of resources they have. More so, Michael makes an argument that America should have a blended economy characterized by the application of both capitalism and socialism and that the government should possess companies such as health care so that its people can benefit from these companies. These claims and arguments are posed to the audience of the film, both American and non-American people to give an insight and enlightenment of the state of health care system of America. The claims depicted in the film are clear as they are supported and backed by pieces of evidence in America and in relation to other countries. Considerably, the film is based on subjectivity as it based on consciousness, agency, reality, and truth in America that has been defined by various sources. The claims and arguments depicted in the film are reality and true, and have been evident in America and backed up by logical statistics.

The discussion about the reliability of the information sources is that the sources are credible and offer true information exhibited in the film. The sources are reliable and offer evidence-based information. Consequently, some of the information came from interviewees who work in these insurance companies. Additionally, the evidence presented in the film is true, and the state of the health care system is a reality in America. Therefore, the documentary film is an excellent work that is based on reality. However, it is a question of a dilemma if some of the interviews were really true if some actions such as sewing one's knee were true and if the interviewees gave out credible information to Michael as he acted as the interviewer. It is also a question of thought as to whether America is a moral or immoral country as a result of the state of the healthcare system. The potential biasness may have aroused during the interviews whereby some interviewees may have given the wrong information or even made exaggerations in their responses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the film was an excellent documentary that is educative and informative. I believe Michael has done a great job connecting to the audience and giving them insight into the health care system in America. His use of rhetorical appeals, ethos, pathos, and logos has been effective in his claims and arguments in the film. After watching the film I have discovered that America is pretty screwed up, and awful things are at their peak. I can also justify that he has won his arguments by conducting interviews, making comparisons of countries, as well as questioning America's morals. Michael's techniques made it less complex to make a decision to take his side of the argument. Therefore, I believe America should have socialized health care that is beneficial to everybody.

Reference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVRRu4cpVYs