The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia

Name: The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia
Genre: Documentary
Duration: 1 h 15 min
Rating: 7.5
Cast: Shelby Lee Adams, Chad Baker, Donnie Benton

2002
1h 15m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

241

YOUR RATING

The True Meaning of Pictures: Shelby Lee Adams' Appalachia (2002)

Documentary

The meaning of art itself comes into question in this documentary about Shelby Lee Adams' controversial photos of families in Appalachia.The meaning of art itself comes into question in this documentary about Shelby Lee Adams' controversial photos of families in Appalachia.The meaning of art itself comes into question in this documentary about Shelby Lee Adams' controversial photos of families in Appalachia.

Director
- Jennifer Baichwal
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

241

YOUR RATING

Director
- Jennifer Baichwal
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Photos

Storyline

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Did you know

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Crazy credits
After the credits roll a subject of the film is shown commenting to the camera that "sometimes his pictures come out good, and sometimes not so good."

Connections
Features Deliverance (1972)

User reviews7

Review

Featured review

7/10

The artist-subject-viewer love triangle

As a photographer, I'm aware of myself, the subject, and the viewer. Unfortunately, how the viewer perceives the results is not in my control--even the subjects as viewer may misconstrue my purpose.

This film explores those options and, interestingly, leaves it to the audience to decide on the evidence presented. Shelby Lee Adams presents his case well as the photographer, but it is clear that the subjects of his pictures are not aware of the subtler influences of outside society on the content of the pictures.

In all, a great film to watch if you're interested in perceptions.