Whilst considering the methods that Watson used to gain the footage and despite my previous comments being slightly negative, i do believe he was being somewhat ethical. Although this had a huge dramatic effect upon the viewer and it allowed the viewer to analyse the particular situation multiple times, I felt that Paul Watson was portraying them as if they were less in control of what they were saying, almost as if they were crazy. I would have to answer that most likely, rhetorical question, by saying yes! To this statement Vanda agrees and understands the relationship between the two of them. But if some of us dont record it, no one else will learn about it. I remember feeling genuinely scared that some of the subjects were going to die: such as when Mark was at home and was continuing to drink in excess and constantly vomiting. Perhaps the strong emotional shocked felt from watching it is more to do with fearing our own mortality. It deals with a very sensitive issue that affects everyone from viewer to the family of the alcoholics that were taking part in the film. I thought Rain In My Heart was a good example of a film that provokes thought about the ethical role of documentary makers. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); http://www.theguardian.com/media/organgrinder/2006/nov/05/sheffielddocfestaredocument, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1661761/, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjy8Z1hK2wY, http://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/taking-it-off-for-the-holocaust, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LuFOX0Sy_o. Explaining hell it is! Watson had to exploit his subjects in order to create such an amazing film. As the director said himself My job is to explain, not entertain. (LogOut/ Tonis most exploitative scene, as I believe, is when she is shown unconscious a few days before her death. After filming Vanda revealing what the monsters in her head were, she states Im a little bit pickled (drunk), to which Paul Watson says Im taking advantage of you. francescamancini88. Therefore, maybe his techniques did actually work quite well, although flawed and subjective in places. The consent was given while the participants were fully aware of what they were agreeing to, which makes it difficult to accuse Paul Watson of having really exploited his subjects. Most Popular Now | 56,514 people are reading stories on the site right now. Nigel died during the course of filming Rain in my Heart, leaving Kath and two teenage children. The earliest version to survive in the Bible is Mark 's Gospel. Throughout the documentary there are cut ins of Watson discussing ethical implications during the filming process. Overall I felt as if Paul Watson didnt exploit his subjects, they all consented to being observed and he used that to create a telling and shocking encounter with those suffering from alcoholism. A prime example of this in the documentary was when Vanda (under the influence of alcohol) decided to share her demons and reasons for her addiction. As he sits and tells the audience his own personal views, this for me, made him seem more human. Overall were the subjects happy to be on film? He says My job is to explain, not entertain. Rain in my heart; rain on the roof; And memory sleeps beneath the gray And the windless sky and brings no dreams Of any well remembered day. However, I would not say these intimacies are exploitative of the sincere as they are constantly asked for permission as to what Watson is filming is ok by them. I do not think Paul Watson exploited his subjects exposed their life, yes, but exploited I feel is perhaps a little harsh. such as askingcan we enter the subjects house? However i think he knew he was being somewhat intrusive. My point being, Watson could have constructed his Documentary in a more ethical way (probably without capturing the outstanding footage he managed to get) or could have been completely unethical by being dominantly intrusive and not taking into consideration personal boundaries, I do believe he has balanced these to an acceptable standard. As a viewer, it was uncomfortable to watch Watson try and stay professional. Their addiction affected them not only when they were drunk, but physically as well as mentally, when they were sober too. He explains himself, he is aware of what he is critised for, but overall has achieved an importantly informative film about alcohol and its effects. This is just one example of the reaction that Watsons Rain in My Heart provoked; Not something that is watched and easily forgotten about. However, we can all agree that sometimes happiness is simply taking a walk or dancing in the rain. Paul Watsons ethical procedures are certainly questionable. For example, when Vandas temper reaches a certain point and she slams the phone down repetitively, wanting to break it and smash it pieces. Rain in My Heart over steps the line between subject and film-maker relationship and Paul Watson in the end exploits his subjects. Watson himself, in a cut away shot and voiceover reveals to the audience that in that moment he lost his ability to be able to detatch himself from a situation. He witnessed some horrific scenes throughout filming and only once (that I can recall) did he step in to hand Mark a sick bucket and express disappointment to Venda for her choosing to buy a bottle of vodka. That he doesnt so anything to stop them drinking is a part of their own agency, and I believe shows more respect than if he had intervened. For example, Vanda(I think its her name) points at her head and say it is there. Also just to confirm Gillingham is a pretty shitty place to grow up in, so the documentary comes across as very sincere. As an audience member I am conflicted as to how satisfied I am with how Watson deals with accusations about him exploiting the audience. As much as rain can cause happiness, there are times when this phenomenon can cause distress. But I dont think he exploited anyone in his documentary. Rain In My Heart by Edgar Lee Masters There is a quiet in my heart Like on who rests from days of pain. 17,029 pages were read in the last minute. I would have actually preferred for Watson not to comment on screen during the film. He would ask the interviewees why theyve relapsed or if they feel disappointed with their failed progress, but depending on the reaction to these questions, Watson would take a step back if he sensed it was in anyway emotionally challenging, until the subject would take control and continue/stop themselves. Voyeurism this is not. Surely, this would mean that his documentary would attract more viewings but at least that would mean that more and more people would learn and be warned about the effects of alcoholism. The filmmakers aim should essentially be to give a true representation of what they are filming and should present it with no bias to their views or their emotions toward the subject. I would not have the heavens fair, This was mostly due to the fact that obviously he was filming people with huge vulnerability in their lives, therefore he was careful not to portray the situation as taking advantage of. This scene is perhaps one of the more uncomfortable in the film as Watson is merely documenting Vandas relapse back to alcohol and the range of mood swings she encounters. 100. I found a video called, Revisiting Rain in My Heart, in which Paul Watson revisits the surviving subjects from the film. Also, later on the film when he asks of the liability of the life experiences she has told him, I felt it was very unnecessary to show her breaking down. He acts incredibly friendly with her by holding her shoulders when talking to her, slapping her cheek when she has fallen asleep from drinking etc. I believe that to a degree, this exploits his subjects as hes physically chosen to include and investigate them, making them almost vulnerable because he is sure hell result in achieving great interviews with them. Alluding to the culture of exploitning woman, as well as Spielbergs film being a commercial (and one which ends with a very colourful, affirming ending) intent makes it a machine absording actresses and horrors for the output of satisfying drama. Are you satisfied by his attempts within the film to deal with such accusations? This allowed the subjects to be themselves around him as Mark said that he didnt hide his bottle of wine from Watson and the camera because this is what the film is all about. About 20 different medications are washed down with pints of vodka and cordial. However, there is a clear relationship change when we see Watson come to Vandas house for the first time and through his camera both Watson and we, as the audience spectate that she is noticeably drunk and has brought herself another bottle of vodka. For one the subjects were extremely vulnerable which raises the question on whether they were in the right state of mind to consent to being filmed and telling their story. On the other hand, he showed the subjects at their worst, but almost continuously. Director Paul Watson See production, box office & company info Add to Watchlist 5 User reviews Won 1 BAFTA Award 2 wins & 1 nomination total Photos Add photo More like this 6.7 Secondly, Watson must have gone through a pre-planning stage where he would have had to choose the subjects he wished to include, therefore it couldnt have been as completely objective/unbiased as it seemed. This was a devastating and emotional sequence for me. Trevor Beckett 791 subscribers Share 522K views 9 years ago Brilliant, unflinching documentary on alcoholism by Kent film maker Paul Watson. To judge whether or not Watson exploited the people in his film wed have to know exactly how hes profited from them. The game uses a beautiful and funny graphics engine to make everything look. RAIN IN MY HEART. This can be seen when Watson is speaking to Toni about her addiction, something that Toni profusely denies she is. After drinking heavily, people are definitely not in a normal status, which lead to a question that in what situation Paul Watson get the consent from these alcoholics. I can understand how to other viewers, this film may be seen as a breach to ethics within filmmaking, with how Watson gets so close with his vulnerable subjects, however, I feel that Watsons approach is what makes this film such a powerful observation. Paul Watson has a lot to answer for (The Family probably started the reality trend) but Rain in my Heart made up for a lot. Listen to Rain In My Heart on the English music album America by Modern Talking, only on JioSaavn. Although there is noticeably moments in the film that steer towards the interviewer, interviewee style of interaction, the communication between Watson and his subjects can certainly be seen as intimate and personal. Its hard to give a black or white answer of whether or not Paul Watson exploit the subject. As Watson edits his film himself he gets to choose what stays in the final cut, therefore raising other ethical issues as he may have only chosen to show the subjects at their worst and in very emotional states. Throughout the film, i found it almost challenging to watch as it touched on so many personal issues to Watsons subjects. Which questioned the showing of Nigel s death (one of the four subjects and one that pat away). It is a difficult film to watch because of the subject matter it deals with. Filmed in 2006 the film. Rain In My Heart is not an easy documentary to watch. This powerful documentary from fly-on-the-wall pioneer Paul Watson follows four alcohol abusers over the course of a year. The subjects and the families were happy to be filmed and it was unlikely that the film was going to bring more harm than good it was important that he looked at the whole picture and the awareness he could spread with such a film. Thus, having the camera in front of them made me feel that there was a sense of pressure on them to fulfil a certain image of an alcoholic. Paul Watsons attempt to defend himself and his arguments against the accusations do make sense. family and friends. "My heart is aching. I feel like Rain in My Heart must be a controversial documentray in terms of how dealing with the ethics in this film. In addition, it appears that Watson is aware of the delicate nature of the documentary and embraces this by stating that all the filming was agreed by the sufferers, in order to shy away accusations that he is exploiting the individuals which he observes. Firstly, there was given consent from all parties that took place. 0. The veins in her legs have contracted because of alcohol, making walking difficult. BBC - Rain in My Heart Watch now This powerful documentary from fly-on-the-wall pioneer Paul Watson provides a raw account of four alcohol abusers from the impoverished Medway towns of north. Although the documentary is very intimate, in both its setting and the framing of the subjects as the yellow-y and fatigued skin of the subjects is shown through close ups. It quotes how Vanda told Paul Youre asking me while Im pickled in reference to his questions, as well as youre manipulating me. When telling Vandas story, I felt he was very close to her, almost to the point where it could be seen as a personal relationship. I feel sympathy towards the subjects because they were, maybe, unsure as to what they had agreed to, and what it involved. However, in my opinion, after he knocks over Vandas drink and clears it up for her, he says the phrase I had put so much money on you. The editing in this documentary played a huge part in how the audience saw and formed views about the subjects that Paul Watson was filming. He also gained the trust of his subjects to the extent that Vanda confined in him regarding her abuse as a child, and Nigels wife wanting Watson to be there when she said goodbye to him. As with his other films, Watson established a relationship with the subjects during filming. He just tried to observe that and filmed everything as it is, while they I assume from the very beginning had agreed to be filmed in any state they are. He made this film to show people about the effects of alcoholism, and I think he achieved his goal. For someone to say that Watson exploited the people in the film is to say that he harmed them in some way, which I dont think he did. He is a quite good interviewer, especially in the interaction between him and the characters. My beautiful wife, Denise . I believe he does ask himself sincere ethical questions and that he answers them truthfully. He interrogates the truth, not to exploit or harm the subjects in any way, but to try and uncover how and why these people fell into such a dark and alienated existence. (2006). I feel that Paul Watson did exploit his subjects to some extent. There is also the repetitive clip of when Vanda says her monsters are in her head. Vanda, one of his participants spoke of the abuse she endured from her Father, and when she told her Mother and she didnt believe her, thats when she turned to alcohol. It is obvious that this documentary was extremely influential to those who have seen it, I have attached a link below of a Facebook page a viewer has made (who obviously has personal issues and experience with alcoholism). Thus exploiting their vulnerability to further push their weakness and end up with footage that will strike the audiences attention and maybe even get better ratings. Twenty-nine when he appeared in Rain in my Heart, Mark was living on his own in an untidy flat that closely reflected his own state. It is true that these patients are probably not fully capable of realising the whole process of the documentary, however they are aware that a camera is always present and they are sometimes asked by Watson if they prefer it to be switched off. At this weeks lecture, the first slide read Documentary is most creditable when it comes as close as possible to the experience of someone actually there. 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