Nanette Burnstein's 2008 documentary, American Teen, has been criticized on three fronts:
a. it's too glossy (slick production choices like animated sequences)
b. it's too willfully mainstream (no gay couples, no long-term handicapped students, etc.)
c. it's inauthentic (the actors were being dramatic for the camera).
Burnstein's defense is interesting: "I think it's unusual to have a very narrative documentary, so people aren't used to it. I think people have a hard time believing teenagers are willing to be that intimate on camera. So sometimes I feel I'm being criticized for what the film's achievements are."
As high school students and filmmakers, you're in a unique position to weigh in on this. Do you think Burnstein got it right in her film? What would have done differently?
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