We have an interesting point of discussion this morning. it appears Errol Morris paid some of his interview subjects for work in his upcoming film Standard Operating Procedure. We get wind of this story thanks to the professionals at Variety:
Errol Morris, the Oscar-winning filmmaker whose latest documentary, “Standard Operating Procedure,” examines the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal, is being pressed about a procedure of his own: paying interview subjects.
Mr. Morris said this week that some of the lower-ranking soldiers who were convicted of tormenting inmates at Abu Ghraib in Iraq were paid for their time, in which they recount events at the prison in detail and describe a wayward environment that led to the excesses.
Errol Morris is an outstanding documentary filmmaker and has a library of fantastic work behind him. His first film out of the gate was a look into the Pet Cemetary business called Gates Of Heaven. If you haven’t seen it – you certainly should. Few people do as well as Errol with their first attempt – but this man found his lot in life; and hit the road running.
The Abu Ghraib scandal is a stain that will forever be in the history books. The disrespect paid to the prisoners was so great, that death would have been a more fair treatment. Errol Morris is a man that will dig into the situation and illuminate it for all of us; this documentary one to watch out for.
I personally have no real problem with Errol paying the people he interviews. Most involved wouldn’t spill their guts about what they did to the prisoners. There is international condemnation and horror regarding the events – these soldiers want to fade into the night, and certainly have no desire to share their story. In order to pull the information out of them, money is a necessary evil. Without payola – this film may not have been possible.
I ask you international friends – does the fact that Errol Morris paid some of the interviewees bother you? Do you think the message of the film will be tainted by the cash, because people are talking for pay?
Yeah, if someone came to me to ask me to talk about a crime I was convicted of, I’d probably not be too keen. Offer to pay me enough money, and you know what? I’d gladly admit to anything regardless of whether I did it or not.
So between the bias of the director and paying people to say what he wants them to say… I’m gonna go out on a limb and say this film will put across the message that Abu Gharib was extremely awful. And gullible Joe Public who doesn’t understand how manipulative and one sided doco’s can be will agree 100%, and point to this film as absolute proof.
Problem is, they can essentially be paid to say anything. They were convicted of crimes to which the extent is not known. Exaggerations for cash seems like a viable option.
Anyone thinking paying for the interviews would skew the documentary isn’t realizing how powerful the editor/filmmaker is with footage in hand.
So they get to blame-shift, AND get paid for it? Score!
Given that Documentary films, especially by a respected filmmaker like Morris are now actually commercially viable and can actually make large profits compared to their minimal production costs I find nothing objectionable about compensating the participants in what is at the end of the day a commercial venture. “Expert Testimony” in compensated for in courts. I don’t see any problem with this.
No, I don’t care really.