Turner- Defiant Images

In this reading, Turner analyzes indigenous films, discussing how they are made, what they represent, and what effect they have. He believes that indigenous films not only serve to define a culture, but also to show how different cultures relate to and differ from one another. He first focuses on the filming process itself. He notes that the indigenous people have complete control over the filming, including the editing process. Turner remarks that he never tries to influence them with western filming techniques such as camera angles and shots. He then notes that people of the Kayapo tribe, which he focuses on in this article, were much less concerned with clean editing and smooth camera maneuvers than they were with the content of the video. I think that Turner plays a minimal role in the filming and production because he wants the film to be purely a native account of an indigenous culture, without any outside influence.
Turner later discusses how the Kayapo incorporate political and social aspects into the video making process. For example, Political officials running for office would often be cameramen for these indigenous films because it showed that they were part of an inter-cultural project. Another example is the use of video by one Kayapo who took his followers and established a new village. He wanted video footage to show what he had built and his new role as leader. The Kayapo also used video to express important cultural values and activities, such as festivals, dances, and their grievance against the Brazillian state.
It is evident that the Kayapo tribe made good use of video to express their cultural and personal beliefs. We still use video footage for this in present-day America. When candidates are running for office they often come up with campaign slogans and promises, which they then broadcast on television to appeal to voters. Ads discouraging substance abuse are an example of video being used to convey social values because they reflect important feelings and beliefs within our culture.