Starting in the 60's and moving up, the filmmaking concept of the 'found footage film' became a prominent practice among experimental and independent filmmakers. While one might consider this concept, of buying unknown footage and publishing it under a given title, to be a rather lazy approach of creating a film, the fact remains that when the footage showed particularly interesting things of analytical or purely historic intent, one could end up with a good result. A simple concept yes, and probably the easiest way to craft a film, yet there is always something about viewing unseen footage that provides some level of interest.
Ken Jacobs's "Perfect Film" is one of these, and the only thing Jacobs had to do with the making of his work was simply titling it and publishing it under his name. In this one, the topic is of particular historical interest, a series of raw takes of newsprint footage detailing the events of the assassination of Malcolm X. It begins with several interviews of different witnesses, a journalist and an inspector, telling what they saw happen. Shots of the murder site are taken, streets, buildings, etc. follow, before the same two witnesses are shown once more. While certainly nothing of great significance, it is definitely a piece of history Jacobs made sure to preserve, and no doubt an interesting watch for any history buff.
Ken Jacobs's "Perfect Film" is one of these, and the only thing Jacobs had to do with the making of his work was simply titling it and publishing it under his name. In this one, the topic is of particular historical interest, a series of raw takes of newsprint footage detailing the events of the assassination of Malcolm X. It begins with several interviews of different witnesses, a journalist and an inspector, telling what they saw happen. Shots of the murder site are taken, streets, buildings, etc. follow, before the same two witnesses are shown once more. While certainly nothing of great significance, it is definitely a piece of history Jacobs made sure to preserve, and no doubt an interesting watch for any history buff.
