The Lost Film of Dian Fossey

Type of Documentary - Mixed

A still from a Dian Fossey Film

Themes

• Nature
• Animals
• Death

Narrative Structure

• Closed narrative
• Linear

Camerawork

• Interviews
• Codes and conventions of an interview
• Eyeline third of the way down
• Framed to left or right of the screen
• Handheld with tour of house
• Stock footage of African communities
• Extreme close up of letter writing
• Close up of moon

Mise en Scene

• African jungle
• Interview with jungle in the back
• Jungle out of focus keeps attention on interview
• Shadow of reconstruction, mystery
• Stock footage of Washington DC
• Dead gorilla with camera sound showing Bob took the photos

Sound

• Voiceover
• Woman
• Calm
• American accent
• Music
• Tradition african
• Pop influences 
• Camera sounds when pictures show

Editing

• Editing of pictures of maps
• Camera tape with interview and archive footage both related
• Interviewee talking over footage as well as voiceover

Archive Material

• Dian Fossey's old programmes
• Maps
• Pictures of Bob filming
• Pictures of Bob's life and family
• Letters
• Magazines
• Photos of Dians grave

Graphics

• Green sans serif font
• White sans serif font to introduce interviewees