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Shot in the classic cinema verité style using compact mini-dv and video 8 cameras, Public Discourse follows the art-making from initial idea through to exhibition, capturing the artists' private and personal moments of exuberance and regret. Public Discourse is about passionate artists who want their work to be seen by a wide range of people rather than be confined to the systemic structures of galleries and museums. This non-fiction film presents an in-depth study of the use of subversive messages, mimicking of advertising methods and the presentation of three-dimensional sculptures to the public.
Director
Status
Released
Original Language
EN

In Manhattan's Central Park, a film crew directed by William Greaves is shooting a screen test with various pairs of actors. It's a confrontation between a couple: he demands to know what's wrong, she challenges his sexual orientation. Cameras shoot the exchange, and another camera records Greaves and his crew. Sometimes we watch the crew discussing this scene, its language, and the process of making a movie. Is there such a thing as natural language? Are all things related to sex? The camera records distractions - a woman rides horseback past them; a garrulous homeless vet who sleeps in the park chats them up. What's the nature of making a movie?

Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino in conversation about The Irishman.