Documentary directors have an opportunity to discuss how their productions have an impact on social change and their personal experiences in this regard

By Magnolia Almánzar

A panel discussion entitled, “Are filmmakers agents of social change?” addressed the ways in which directors influence audiences and promote social change through their films and the difficulties that arise in pursuit of this goal. The panel was moderated by director Nina Streich and featured producers, directors and actors including Marisol González, Diego Musiak, Cesar Rodríguez, Clare Lewis and Beadie Finzi.

“If something is going to turn out badly, it will depend on that condition. Sometimes we believe that we have certain freedom, and of course one form of that freedom is what we put on. Sometimes interesting things happen in the shoots, so you have to be prepared to make the necessary changes,” said Argentine director Diego Musiak.

For her part, Beadie Finzi insisted that maintaining a steady approach is the way to obtain the best results. “You have to stay cool and remain confident that in the end they can count on you,” said Finzi.

From the documentary side, Clare Lewis insisted that viewers be shown the reality of how things are, both good and bad. “You have to treat people with the greatest respect. If you want to change the world, you have to work with the real world. That’s how I can change it,” affirmed Lewis, reiterating that social change is her aim.

The directors pointed out the difficulties they face in the production process, both in documentary and in feature films. “I believe that one can find motivation both in documentary and in features,” said Diego Musiak. “Our job is to try to understand this reality as artists. Everything can be manipulated, and we can tell great stories with fiction.”

Dominican director César Rodríguez described the filmmakers’ goal as “to express our ideology to people and at the same time to move them.” Marisol González, who is filming a documentary in Tijuana on the Mexican border on drug trafficking and prostitution, said that her current idea of the film has changed since she began the project because her vision has changed. “You stop eating and sleeping to carry out your project. It gets into your soul,” said the young director.

The panelists related anecdotes about the obstacles they have faced in carrying out their projects. A question-and-answer session from the audience followed the presentations.

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