Poetic documentary is a category of documentary filmmaking that uses experimental techniques to evoke a certain mood or feeling rather than trying to prove a point with traditional linear storytelling. The term "poetic documentary" was coined in 2001 by Bill Nichols to describe a genre of film that came from the City Symphony film movement in the 1920's that was a response to the domination of fiction film dominating the industry.
"Life and Death" is about the lifecycle of a butterfly. This short film was inspired by another by the same name that I made for my Summer Dok class in 2018. Though for that assignment I only had a few hours to work, was limited to still images, and did not have the luxury of being able to use found footage; I like this version of "Life and Death" much better.
