Primary

Primary is a pioneering work of cinema hailed as one of the most influential documentaries that defined the genre of cinema verité or direct cinema. This groundbreaking documentary was not only innovative in terms of style but also subtly transformed our understanding of political processes and the media's role in it. Released in 1960, the film was directed by Robert Drew and prominently features aspiring candidates Hubert H. Humphrey and John F. Kennedy as they compete in the Wisconsin Primary for the Democratic Presidential Nomination. The film, however, is not just a simple replication of the political campaign but instead provides an incisive, penetrating look at campaigning, politics, and the aspiring candidates themselves.

Primary offers an unprecedented and intimate view of the American political system in action. Apart from Humphrey himself, the film also features Humphrey's wife, Muriel Buck Humphrey, as the two navigate through the hustling world of political campaigns. These encounters, engagements, and battles within the electoral process provide an intriguing spectacle, much like a relentless boxing match.

The film not only documents the political campaigning, but it also visualises atmosphere, intentions, and emotions and reveals the personal sides of these public figures. It takes the audience on a ride along the tough campaign trails, showcasing various public and private moments, usually unseen, from a politician's life during an election campaign. It captures the spirit, passion, and the gruelling efforts of the candidates, their teams, and the public with an intimate yet non-judgmental eye.

They visit factories, schools, farms, fairs, and town halls striving to win hearts and votes. The cameras follow the candidates as they attempt to connect with voters, attend countless public speaking events, strategize for their campaigns, and engage with their families. Due credit should be given to Richard Leacock and Albert Maysles, the two directors of photography, for their ability to capture these unrehearsed, candid moments using handheld cameras, which at that time was a technical breakthrough.

The filmmakers attempted and succeeded in blending the panoptic observational nature of documentary-making with an intimate humanizing gaze. The film particularly excels in capturing the candidates in an array of situations - from delivering speeches to engaging in casual, candid conversations, from displaying the excitements of rallies to the exhaustion of late-night strategy meetings, Primary provides you with an immersive experience that peels off the formal veneer of politics.

Enabled by technological advances such as portable sync-sound equipment, Robert Drew and his associate pioneers managed to free the camera from the studio and bring it into real life, capturing a multitude of situations and human expressions in an impactful and visually compelling way. By doing so, Primary transformed the face of documentary filmmaking, steering it away from studio-bound talks and creating a new space for observational documentation.

Primary does not set out to make any extravagant, complex arguments nor does it seek to provoke any political allegiances or biases. It acts more like a cinema vérité exposé that focuses on the human aspect of politics. It does not try to unravel a big spectacular political drama but tells a straightforward, absorbing tale of two dedicated politicians in the throes of their campaign.

This film provides a deep insight into American politics of the time, remarkably capturing every expression, every word uttered, every gesture made, making it a vivid time capsule resonating with historical significance. Primary stands today as a groundbreaking piece of work in the political documentary genre, rendering an insightful and thought-provoking view of electoral politics in America.

In essence, Primary is a fascinating and dynamic look at the political process in action. It offers a unique behind-the-scenes insight into the life of a politician during a tough election campaign and the workings of American politics, thereby setting the groundwork for all subsequent political documentary films. It is a vital piece of cinematography for anyone with an interest in politics, American history, or filmmaking.