DEFEND YOURSELF!: BEN FOWLIE

As a programmer for the DocYard series at the Brattle, Fowlie’s responsible for making documentaries more than just the part of the Oscars you don’t give a shit about, with films like this week’s The Extraordinary Ordinary Life of  José González. We spoke with Fowlie about good stories, well told.

So, how did this all get started?
Well the Docyard kind of came out of a collaborative gathering between myself and other local filmmakers. We wanted to find a way to bring people together for a screening, go to a bar afterward for a discussion, really bring together and foster a community.

So that’s how it started—it started 3 years ago and it’s grown ever since.

How are DocYard discussions different?
I think one of the things we want to do is get the conversation outside of the theater, away from the normal Q & A with like, a moderator. People are more relaxed in a bar setting with a drink and can connect on a personal level. And that’s why we always try to make sure filmmakers can attend—you can really have a conversation and relate to others.

What would you say to people who think documentaries are boring?
I’d say take a look at what the Ross brothers are doing in a film like Tchoupitoulas [screening in July -Ed], which follows these underage kids out at night in New Orleans. It’s not your standard structured documentary; it’s more into craft and experimentation than your typical archival footage.

Young filmmakers are doing exciting things right now, and the Ross brothers epitomize that, shooting with cameras that are falling apart and partying and making good stuff.

And José González?
What I love about it is that it’s not your typical concert, it’s a concert doc. And it’s about the creative process and the approach toward an artist’s work. It’s got great animation, great music, and we’re excited about reaching out to an audience that will appreciate that.

THE DOCYARD PRESENTS:
The EXTRAORDINARY ORDINARY LIFE OF JOSÉ GONZÁLEZ 

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