Private Footage review – found-footage study of apartheid takes the split-screen route | Movies

In her documentary debut, Janaína Nagata uncovers an old 16mm reel that reveals the spectre of apartheid South Africa, featuring exotic safari animals and traditional ceremonies. Through a split-screen composition, Nagata uses modern technology to investigate the footage, identifying key figures like Hendrik Verwoerd. While the convergence of old and new technologies is compelling, the film’s narrow focus on visual clues limits its intellectual depth, resulting in an intriguing experiment in montage that lacks broader sociopolitical context.

Full Article