The International Journal of Arts Theory and History

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Client 9: The Voice of the Unseen Solicitor


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1 University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
     

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The members of the audience are seated, the house lights go off and the film begins. Nothing is seen but the images, scenery, graphics and lights; nothing is heard but the sound of music and the actors’ voices. The audience members are following the storyline and listening to the interactions going on. However, they are thinking beyond what the actors are saying and understanding beyond what the music and lights are exposing. What is aiding their perception? Who is telling them more than the spoken words? The voice of the unseen solicitor! In Client 9, a single story is told, but more is heard. Beside the voices that could be heard, there is another voice; that of the unseen solicitor, speaking through the various film techniques used, speaking louder than other voices, soliciting, and craving the indulgence of the audience. Using Client 9 as a basis, I shall examine the compelling power in the voice of a documentary.

Keywords

Documentary Film, Analysis, Voice of Documentary.
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  • Bone, Jan & Ron Johnson (1996) Understanding the Film: An Introduction to Film Appreciation. Illinios: NTC Publishing Group.

  • Client 9: The Rise and Fall of Eliot Spitzer, Alex Gibney, Magnolia Pictures, 117mins. 2010.

  • Corner, John (2005) 'Sounds Real: Music and Documentary' in Rosenthal, Alan and John Corner New Challenges for Documentary. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

  • French, Philip Client 9: Review, posted on The Observer http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2011/mar/06/client-9-eliot-spitzer-review, 6/03/2011, accessed 26/03/2012.

  • Nichols, Bill (1991) Representing Reality. Indiana: Indiana University Press. (2005) 'The Voice of Documentary' in Rosenthal, Alan and John Corner New Challenges for Documentary. Manchester: Manchester University Press.

  • (2010) Introduction to Documentary. Indiana: Indiana University Press.

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  • Rabiger, Michael (2009) Directing the Documentary. Oxford: Focal Press.

  • Turner, Matthew http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/client-9-film-review-39127.html, accessed 26/03/2011.

  • Wharton, David and Jeremy Grant (2005) Teaching Analysis of Film Language. London: British Film Institute


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  • Client 9: The Voice of the Unseen Solicitor

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Authors

Ezinne Michaelia Igwe
University of Birmingham, United Kingdom

Abstract


The members of the audience are seated, the house lights go off and the film begins. Nothing is seen but the images, scenery, graphics and lights; nothing is heard but the sound of music and the actors’ voices. The audience members are following the storyline and listening to the interactions going on. However, they are thinking beyond what the actors are saying and understanding beyond what the music and lights are exposing. What is aiding their perception? Who is telling them more than the spoken words? The voice of the unseen solicitor! In Client 9, a single story is told, but more is heard. Beside the voices that could be heard, there is another voice; that of the unseen solicitor, speaking through the various film techniques used, speaking louder than other voices, soliciting, and craving the indulgence of the audience. Using Client 9 as a basis, I shall examine the compelling power in the voice of a documentary.

Keywords


Documentary Film, Analysis, Voice of Documentary.

References