Response Two - Four More Years

TVTV utilized guerilla journalism in its documentary “Four More Years” in order to capture a unique behind the scenes view of politics. Instead of focusing on the 1972 National Republican Convention highlights and beliefs that the nominees stand for, TVTV centers its coverage on the emotions that the journalists, politicians and voters felt during the nomination process.

From the beginning of the film, a strong sense of emotion was portrayed through the lyrics of the song that continually noted that “More than ever, we need Nixon now.” As the film continues, emotion is shown on the faces and in the voices of many different groups of voters. While other media networks describe the young voters as “performing” and being “put to work” for Richard Nixon, TVTV actually went to these kids and portrayed the drive they possess for their cause. This film used a physical closeness of the subject to the camera in order to reveal a more personal and realistic view, since most of the convention is described as being “very dull…and a very packaged, plastic kind of thing.”

It was very clever of the TVTV journalists to go behind the action of the convention in order to put other media newscasters on the spot with challenging questions. The other newscasters seemed to be very stuck up and worried about ratings as they followed a very regimented plan of action. While TVTV took time to play the harmonica and have fun while also making strong arguments, other media would not talk and one reporter stated that if he wasn’t at the convention, he would like to “be at home watching.” This last quote seems to show the lack of emotion that these reporters have for the process, while those who can’t get their voice heard, are out protesting. It was also very interesting how there seemed to be a breakdown of communication between those who protested during the convention and the onlookers who were primarily republican. One such republican woman described the protestors as “creatures” as though she didn’t affiliate them with herself.

The order in which the interviews and shots were edited emphasized a very realistic view of the conflicts, but also drove home the strong points. The final scene with the popping of the balloons seem to signal the end of this conflict as there is a hushing of the protesting voices and the shouting of “Four more years” takes the place. It is as though the protesting is only somewhat heard when the climactic moments of voting arise, while entirely dismissed as soon as the process is finished.