Filmmaker Errol Morris says human faith in what Othello called “the ocular proof” is often misplaced–but not because he doubts the existence of “a real world” or “a fact of the matter”:
…photographs attract false beliefs – as fly-paper attracts flies. Why my skepticism? Because photography can make us think we know more than we really know.
Morris created those iconic “switcher” ads for Apple as well as a number of well-received documentaries. One of my favorites is his short “Oscar night” film–watch it now!– that includes Gorbachev praising Russell Crowe and my friend Sidney Coleman telling Morris:
The movie is playing a game with you. And it’s a game you’re happy to play.
Errol Morris, now making a movie about Abu Ghraib, is wrestling with some angst about truth and images. I wish any of the political candidates now soundbiting our ears had anything as interesting to say.
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p.s. And I do believe it’s Millie‘s birthday today–happy 82, Millie! Millie loves comments, so get over to her birthday blogpost and leave one!
3 responses so far ↓
1 Kay Dennison // Aug 19, 2007 at 2:16 am
I find Morris’ contention interesting but arguable.
I love the pictures you have on this post. Who is the artist?
2 Betsy Devine // Sep 10, 2007 at 9:52 am
Hi Kay–sorry for the slow reply. I found this picture online, long ago, and wherever I found it didn’t give source information.
Google Image Search turns up the same image here:
http://www.uoregon.edu/~sshoemak/texts/dormindex.htm
That site doesn’t name the painter either. So it’s still a mystery to me, I’m sorry to say.
3 Errol Morris at Sore Eyes // May 28, 2009 at 5:51 pm
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