Perhaps I’m being difficult, but I’m not deriving pleasure from documentaries the way I used to. I realize I’m speaking in generalities, please humor me.
I find the presentation of most modern docs so hyperdramatic and forced, it detracts from the underlying subject matter.
I would prefer if documentaries tried their best to collect and present information in a fascinating way, and present it as reasonably neutral as possible, with some leeway for the author’s voice. I don’t appreciate it when the superficial presentation constantly tries to cue me emotionally.
I really don’t understand why I have to have violen symphony music playing like it’s the eve of world war 3, and all the nukes are about to be launched, when I’m watching a documentary about snail parasites or particle collider research.
Even though it’s different auditorially, to me it’s the same principle as applying a laugh track to a comedy show. I don’t need it suggested to me when something is funny, and I don’t need to be cued by string orchestra music that something is serious or worrisome. Please trust me to make these judgments on my own!
I think all trends ebb and flow but this one seems to have taken root and it’s doesn’t seem to be letting up.
I wonder if other people feel this way, or if I’m just watching the wrong things?
Amazing. I feel exactly the same about modern documentaries and I expressed the same dislikes about them just a few weeks ago. Have you checked out DW Documentary Youtube channel? In case you haven’t it has good documentaries and sometimes exceptionally good, very informative and eye opening, all without fancy effects, just the raw subject matter. These two are recent ones that I really liked:
China and the Uyghurs
Climate Change - A verting catastrophe
another channel that I like is Veritasium, it’s about science and not really documentaries but worth to check out due to its quality.