documentary- "Stopping the Cycle"

 
     The documentary I watched was "Stopping the Cycle", a documentary that exposes the harsh realities of relationships that many wives suffer through the abuse of their husbands. In the annual doc-fest, this piece achieved first place among hundreds, and is well deserved. Along with its powerful messages, it shows the audiences links to find help and to take care of those types of problems. It allows the reader to carefully consider the message by displaying the physical punishment that wives have by locking up their expressions and accepting the beating their husbands give them. “Stopping the Cycle” is an immensely powerful film not only through its deep message but also through its portrayal by its narrative, camera work, and its editing and sound effects.

    
This is a powerful documentary, for its use of examples and powerful language helps engage the audience within this piece (narrative). It begins with the harmony of a new married couple, living happily together, but immediately counters these loving emotions by diving into the topic of abuse of husbands and the game they play on their wives. Along with that, this film uses a young, yet sorrowful voice over to depict the voice of a new wife that is a victim to this type of abuse; therefore, the tone matches the intent and allows the audience to sink into the film itself. The director of this film also decided to use titles, showing the common words that husbands use to threat their wives, and this text is surrounded by a cynical background. This dark images depicts the seriousness within the film, and the dominant voice over of a man (characterized as an abusive husband) creates the feeling to the audience that they should be aware and cautious about this existing problem as well.

   
Another powerful technique that this documentary used was its unique cinematography. This film used numerous close-ups, thus, providing heartfelt emotion as we see the physical pain that many wives endure such as the image of the women’s black eye. Along with that, they used very slow zooms that fluently moved towards the subject. This smooth camera work provides a certain professionalism within the piece, which personally dragged me more into the piece itself. This documentary’s camera work supports the piece’s message through its ability to capture emotion.

     
 The editing and sound design in the piece “Stopping the cycle” was unique, yet very effective. In the beginning shots of the couple getting married, you see the clips as very bright and fuzzy on the screen. By eliminating all darkness in the shot and adding dream-like characteristics, you see the “overwhelming beauty” in marriage, when in fact its not, which is shown in the next shots. This portrays the message to the reader that marriage may not be what many think it is, but that in fact it could be the beginning of the end. Along with that, when people spoke, the sound was overlapped. By overlapping one’s voice, a dramatic effect is created as it sounds quite daunting and scary. This technique enhances the film’s message by supporting the tone of the piece in a very effective manner. “Stopping the Cycle” is a well established piece that effectively grabs the readers attention through its wonderful production.