Veteran filmmaker Paul Watson has defended 'manipulation' in documentary making, claiming it is essential in order to get to the 'inner core' of a film.
The filmmaker, who made the controversial Alzheimer's doc Malcolm and Barbara: Love's Farewellfor ITV1, compared the craft of documentary-making, including artistic interpretation and cut-away shots, to the work of artists such as Rodin.
He defended the 'honesty' of his work, which he said was put together with the aim of 'getting a better understanding of the people who let you into their lives.'
Watson also insisted that he did not set out to confuse viewers and said he was true to the 'rhythm of a film'.
He described an ongoing legal investigation into the Alzheimer's film as leaving him 'mashed to a pulp' and said it had highlighted some of the drawbacks of operating alone when filming.
'You don't have time to write down every little thing you say; every time you take a shot.'
He also issued a robust defence of editors, branding them an 'uncontaminated part of the industry'.
He said: 'You can't get editors to do anything illegal or dishonest unless you threaten them.'
Watson said he agreed to film Malcolm 'to the bitter end', as requested by Malcolm's wife Barbara, despite reservations.
He said he was reluctant to film the actual moment of death because 'we live in a conservative nation and work in a conservative industry'.
Paul Watson was speaking at the session 'Rain in My Heart: A Masterclass' at the Edinburgh TV Festival
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