School of Seeing
ANALYSING DOCUMENTARY FILMS
School of Seeing offers a unique workshop of documentary film analysis, focusing on the artistic and cinematic perspectives. This programme is open to everyone, whether you are new to documentary films, already a filmmaker, a teacher, a programmer, or a critic.
How does it work?
Selected participants will watch, analyse, and discuss a number of documentaries of various topics from various countries around the world. For the past two editions, we have curated the documentaries with Lisabona Rahman.
The participants will be led by mentors who will respond to their reviews and moderate the discussions. The discussions will focus on the relationship between the ideas and impressions that the audience capture through camera or editing techniques. Adrian Jonathan Pasaribu and Anggraeni Widhiasih have been our discussion mentors for the two editions of SOS.
Experienced filmmakers will also join as guest speakers. They will share their perspectives on ethical considerations and production challenges that affect the film outcome. Sebastian Winkels, Dwi Nugraheni, Greg Arya, Mahardika Yuda, Aryo Danusiri, Amerta Kusuma, and Aline Jusria are some of the filmmakers that have been involved in SOS.
Check out the previous editions of SOS below.
Watch the highlight video of School of Seeing 2021 to see the vibes!
Would you like to have a School of Seeing in your community?
CHECK OUT THE PREVIOUS EDITIONS:
FOCUS & FORMAT
In the 2018 edition, the focus was on documentaries that highlight human relations with their surroundings and other fellow humans.
From July to December 2018, participants watched and reviewed two international documentaries per month based on guiding questions from the programmer. The mentors then responded to the reviews through email or text.
In December, participants got a chance to attend the Documentary Film Festival in Yogyakarta to watch and discuss the films there. Participants who have ongoing documentary projects also got a chance to consult their projects with the mentors.
PROGRAMMERS
Lisabona Rahman, Sebastian Winkels
MENTORS
– Review responders: Adrian Jonathan Pasaribu, Anggraeni Widhiasih
– Project consultants: Dwi Nugraheni, Tommy Fahrizal, Greg Arya + Lisabona Rahman, Sebastian Winkels
– Guest speakers: Mahardika Yudha, Afrian Purnama
PARTICIPANTS
Of the 66 applicants, 40 participants completed the program. The majority of participants were filmmakers from Java, who either had made a short or long documentary, or were making it.
What do they say about SOS?
“Amazing. Just like writing a book, I understand that making a documentary requires a clear perspective and mission from start to finish.” — Ahmad Qumaeni
“I can watch the documentaries that I used to find boring with different perspectives, especially as part of my own knowledge and as a reference for making my own documentary.” — Ika Nurcahyani
“Although I’m still new to documentary filmmaking, the curriculum helps me to enjoy and understand documentary films.” — Yosua Bangun Imantaka
“I feel lucky to have the experience of watching the films and to reflect on them through essays. I have been inactive in documentaries for a long time. However, this programme brings back that long-lost passion.” — Wahyu Riska Elsa Pratiwi
DOCUMENTATION
SUPPORTED BY
FOCUS & FORMAT
In the 2021 edition, the focus was on discussing observational documentaries with a variety of camera approaches and focuses: for example following the protagonist, using silence, recording space, and combining with interviews.
In the 2021 edition, the focus was on discussing observational documentaries with a variety of camera approaches and focuses: for example following the protagonist, using silence, recording space, and combining with interviews. The featured films were:
- Over the Limit (Marta Prus, 2017)
- Like the Other (Constantin Wulff, 2015)
- El Bulli (Gereon Wetzel, 2010)
- Please Vote for Me (Weijun Chen & Don Edkins, 2007)
- Meanwhile in Mamelodi (Benjamin Kahlmeyer, 2011)
SOS 2021 took place from April to August 2021. The participants watched and analysed one documentary per two weeks based on guiding questions from the programmer. The mentors then responded to the reviews through email or text. After watching and reviewing two films, an online discussion session was held by inviting Indonesian filmmakers as guest speakers.
PROGRAMMER
Lisabona Rahman
MENTORS
– Review responders: Adrian Jonathan Pasaribu, Anggraeni Widhiasih
– Guest speakers: Aryo Danusiri, Amerta Kusuma, Aline Jusria
PARTICIPANTS
Of the 68 registrants, 20 selected participants joined the program. The majority of participants were filmmakers from outside Java, with other professions being students, artists, teachers, and the general public.
Documentation
SUPPORTED BY
Credit Highlight Video of SOS 2021
Trailers
Over the Limit (C) 2018 Film Movement
Like the Others (C) 2016 OneWorldRO
El Bulli: Cooking in Progress (C) 2011 kinolorber
Please Vote for Me (C) 2020 THE WHY
Meanwhile in Mamelodi (C) 2012 B. F.