Documentary Film

film documentary by Julien De Wilde

Documentary Film and Human Stories

As a photographer, I naturally came to film, especially documentary films. Because that’s what interests me the most: sharing the extraordinary lives of ordinary people. I started filming life in the rice fields in Thailand. I then made a film for the European Commission on communities that make a living from logging in Indonesia (FLEGT program). Several short documentary films for NGOs or personal projects were then released.

Why film Human Stories?

My favorite subjects are different cultures, beliefs, urban and rural communities, and especially extraordinary people from the shadows.

These anonymous people who show wisdom, compassion, and generosity, whatever their environment. They are living proof that human virtues are the fruit of an inner journey and not of the outside world. Share time with inspiring people is essential to me.

How to craft a short documentary film?

There are many components that need to be extremely well balanced to make the film appealing. The storytelling is a key element: the who, why, and what. The problems encountered by the protagonists, the topic, the purpose, the location, what is the situation, and how to change it? How are we going form the start to the end? As a one-man-band filmmaker, what is my point of view? What is the major idea I want to develop? All these questions are essentials before starting anything further. But the main idea, for me, is to dive intensely into another reality to broaden one’s field of understanding.

Photography and Filmmaking.

the major components in Photography are the light, the frame, the moment, the composition, the topic, the sincerity, and the truth behind the shot. The documentary film gets the same components but we need to add the storytelling, the audio, camera moves, interviews, etc.

But instinctively light and emotions guide me.

One-man-band filmmaker or get a team?

Most of the time, for short documentary films, we are alone or with a limited crew. The best option is to get a sound man and a journalist that gets deeper into de topic and follow the story to make sure to follow the must-have shots.

Filmmaking skills

Research, screenwriting, planning, filming, the team set up, editing, color corrections, color gradation, basic audio adjustment.

Camera and Gear

I only film with mirrorless or DSLR style cameras such as Panasonic GH5 with Metabones Speedbooster, Sony A7 and A6, Nikon D850, and FUJI XT4. I love to use vintage lenses such as Nikon AI.

I use the Ronin S Gimbal and the Edelkrone slider, for smooth camera moves and the Zoom H6 for great audio recording. When it’s possible I also use the DJI Mavic Pro Drone.

Documentary film Playlist

Julien De Wilde SHOWREEL

From social documentary in south east Asia to fashion clips in Belgium, let’s get a cinematic trip. Feel the insane kicks of those young thai boxers, the extreme precision of Jaouad Achab, taekwondo world champion, the mysticism of the Indonesian forest communities, the street’s energy and the sounds that make you feel high.

HOLY KLONGTOEY

Klongtoey is an extremely contrasted district in the center of Bangkok, bordered by the Chao Phraya River and near the port. Originally known for its large and old slum, its morning market and port activities, the neighborhood has retained its original features despite the shoppings mall and condominiums that are expanding more and more. The neighborhood is dense. Along the canals, roads, railways or under bridges, all spaces are occupied. His makeshift dwellings have become the permanent homes of thousands of people. Despite the difficult context, its inhabitants live by helping each other, without complaining, by getting by with what they have. The environment does not really matter so much. Our inner world is more real than the outside world. The human qualities of its inhabitants testify to it ; generosity, humility, kindness, compassion, and respect unites them. Huge respect and admiration for them.

FIGHT UNDER THE BRIDGE

Want to dive into a real Thai boxing training in Bangkok? We’re under a bridge, the express way above our head, it’s 40 degrees and the kids are training hard.

BURMESE CHILDREN LEARNING IN SAMUT SAKHON, THAILAND.

Samut Sakhon is a fishing village in Thailand where many Burmese migrants work in the fish industry. They left their country of origin because of all the difficulties they encountered in Burma. They came to Thailand to find a job and have a decent life. NGO Raks Thai helps them by providing education to their children and while they are busy at work, they know that their children have the opportunity to learn and change their lives. This really improves their lives and their future.

JAOUAD ACHAB IS THE WORLD CHAMPION TAEKWONDO FROM BELGIUM

Jaouad Achab is the Taekwondo World Champion from Belgium but he has no sponsor ! He started taekwondo in Morocco very young and he never stopped training hard. Jaouad Achab lives in the Antwerp region of Belgium and in addition to his exceptional athletic qualities he shows a lot of humility, discipline and simplicity. Live with him some intense moments of his daily training.

THE INDONESIAN FOREST COMMUNITIES

In Indonesia on the island of Java there are forest communities that live with wood while respecting the forest and the environment. They understood that forests are valuable to their economy and future generations. From Yogyakarta to Jepara via Surakarta and Semarang, I filmed all the stages from the cutting of trees to the manufacture of furniture for export. Far from Indonesia ‘s negative image of sustainable development, we have witnessed the care and respect that communities have for the environment. By consuming only what is necessary, taking care not to damage anything, by replanting 2 trees for 1 cut trees, their efforts are supported by the FLEGT program of the European Commission.