Diary of a Harlem Family
Diary of a Harlem Family

Movie spotlight

Diary of a Harlem Family

1968
Movie
20 min
English

Presents Gordon Parks' photo-essay "A Harlem Family", framed by a filmed segment featuring Parks and the Fontanelle family and narrated by Parks.

Insights

IMDb7.0/10
Director: Frederick WisemanGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

This documentary offers an intimate look into the daily lives of a Harlem family struggling with poverty and systemic issues. It captures candid moments of their interactions, challenges, and resilience within their community.

Critical Reception

Frederick Wiseman's early work, 'Diary of a Harlem Family,' is recognized for its raw, cinéma vérité style, providing an unflinching portrayal of urban poverty. It is praised for its observational approach, allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions about the social conditions depicted.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its authentic and unvarnished depiction of family life.

  • Lauded for Wiseman's observational filmmaking technique.

  • Considered a significant early work in documentary filmmaking.

Google audience: Audience reviews are not widely aggregated for this historical documentary. However, those familiar with Wiseman's work often highlight its power in presenting social realities without commentary.

Fun Fact

This film was one of Frederick Wiseman's earliest feature-length documentaries, preceding his more widely known works like 'Titicut Follies' and 'High School'.

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