Are there multiple viewpoints? Do they agree or contradict each other? Does one come across as more “right” while the other seems more “wrong?

Great White Hoax (2018), directed by Jeremy Earp.

The person narrating is Tim Wise, who is a noted anti-racism educator and author.

Some general things to keep in mind:

• Critical viewing means moving beyond ideas of education and entertainment (this is boring, for example), and “truth” and “bias”
• 1) multiple truths exist in documentary. Truths are constructs built of carefully arranged information.
  • Questions to ask:
    • What truths are presented in the documentary?
    • How are these truths presented?
    • What information does it put forward?
    • What information is left out?
  • 2) Point-of-view(POV): all documentaries are biases. We equate bias with prejudice and manipulation of information/data. It helps to think of it as POV.
    • Questions o ask:
      • From whose POV is the documentary speaking? What perspective is it offering on events and arguments?
      • Can you relate to this viewpoint or at least understand where it’s coming from?
      • Are there multiple viewpoints? Do they agree or contradict each other? Does one come across as more “right” while the other seems more “wrong?
      • Can you think of some other perspectives that might be out there but aren’t addressed by the documentary?
      • What is the tone/emotion behind these viewpoints?