Topic > Documentary Bias: Supersize Me

Are fast food companies the only reason America is the fattest nation in the world? This question is addressed in the documentary 'Supersize Me' (2004). Director Morgan Spurlock attempts a social experiment to demonstrate that fast food companies, particularly McDonald's, have a drastic effect on the physical and psychological well-being of their customers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay Additionally, documentaries serve a purpose, to convey the audience's opinions to what the director indicates, resulting in bias. Every single documentary has biases, regardless of the subject matter, regardless of who the director is, and regardless of whether a child or an adult is present – ​​there will always be biases. He needed to position the audience to agree with his perspective. Then, he used a series of cinematic techniques through a partial representation of the problem. It will be made clear that no text is neutral by focusing on different techniques within 'Supersize Me' (2004) such as the interviews conducted, the camera shots and angles as well as the transitions and finally the effects of juxtaposition. Throughout the documentary 'Supersize Me' (2004), the numerous interviews conducted are used as one of the film's most important supporting pieces and a primary source of evidence of the connection between obesity and the fast food industry. Interviewees range from healthcare workers to children as well as citizens and Morgan Spurlock asked them for their views on obesity, fast food and the industry. The professionals interviewed in the film provide comments and opinions that support Spurlock's claim. David Satcher is supposedly the first person to bring attention to the obesity epidemic and the fact that fast food is a major contributor. Being "a four-star admiral in the United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps," people will obviously take his words over others. Everyone knows that professionals must know what they are talking about, that's what makes them professionals. However, there is nothing to support this like data and statistics, so how did he come to this conclusion? So-called professionals think that eliminating fast food would cure the obesity epidemic. The "experts" will do everything in their power to give you reasons why you should not go to fast food industries and buy the products they offer. You could say they bit off more than they can chew. While the footage may be reliable, the discussions used serve a specific purpose in supporting the director's point of view. Carefully constructed to get the public to agree that something needs to be done to end American obesity and the fast food industry. Spurlock carefully creates a biased representation of the problem to ensure a gain on his audience. Additionally, the use of camera angles helps the director provide an extremely biased perspective on obesity and fast food. During citizen interviews, the shot is set at eye level and sometimes from a low angle. Using this angle creates a sense of realism. Give the audience the feeling that the scene is real. However, he only filmed 3 people and they would all be considered obese. It's clear that Spurlock wanted to show that even if you eat fast food just a couple of times a week you will eventually gain weight, but don't let obesity take its toll. Many different types of photography are used, such as long shots and wide shots. However, close-up and center shots are used.