Media Production &

Analysis 3B
Power and Persuasion
Investigation Task
This Task requires you to investigate the documentary form, exploring the relationship
between the film-maker, the subject, the audience and the contextual background.

In completing this Task, you should consider the following broad issues…
 historical, political, cultural and social contexts which underpin the subject
 film-maker’s attitudes to this subject
 audience attitudes to this subject
 choice of medium
 how and why a point of view is constructed
 audience response

The Process:
1. You will be given a copy of the documentary “Enemy Image” which was first
screened in Australia on SBS on August 16th 2005.
2. Analyse this documentary, commenting on…
o What is the purpose of this documentary? Why was it made? What
issues/themes/ideas does it explore?
o When was it made? What historical/political/social contexts does it reflect?
o Who made it? Why did he make it?
o Who is the intended audience? Why would they want to watch it?
o Where was it screened in Australia? Why? Would an Australian audience
respond differently to the intended audience?
o What point of view is created?
o How does it attempt to create this point of view? Consider persuasive
techniques used.
o How does the choice of the television medium impact on its content and
structure? Why wasn’t it made for the cinema?
o What controls and constraints may have impacted on the making of this
documentary and the meanings it creates?
o What is your response to the documentary?