Triptych of Her, and experimental response to SABC's documentary Do Girls Want It? : virgin territory in alternative and experimental filmmaking approaches

Abstract

Abstract

The research aims to understand the commissioning and documentary filmmaking climate for the local broadcaster in South Africa, a climate that is in a state of transformation. The research paper looks to the experimental documentary filmmaking mode as a counterpoint to the usually practiced, and arguably journalistic approach taken by local documentaries. The case study provided is an analysis of a South African Broadcasting Corporation commissioned, produced and broadcast documentary, Do Girls Want It?, researched, developed and directed by the author, Nikki Comninos, on the topic of virginity in the specific cultural context of contemporary South Africa. This analysis leads to a discussion of different filmmaking approaches that utilise more experimental techniques through the exploration of film form. This is practically undertaken in a 15-minute film, Triptych of Her, focusing on the same overarching issue of virginity from a female perspective.