Grizzly Man (2005)

In 2008, Werner Herzog directed a remarkable documentary, following Timothy Treadwell, also known as 'grizzly man'. Over 100 hours of footage was recorded by Treadwell, which was then edited together after his death. The documentary examines the calling that drove Treadwell to live amongst a tribe of wild grizzly bears on an Alaskan reserve. He was a devoted conservationist with a passion for adventure. Treadwell believed that he had bridged the gap between human and beast. In October 2003, Treadwell and his girlfriend Amie Huguenard, were viciously killed by a large male grizzly bear.

Treadwell wrote "there are many times that I feel death is the best option. My work would be much more seriously looked at, and possibly make the difference that in living I can't do".

Within the documentary we can clearly see Lacan's lack theory. Treadwell is a loner, at ease and feeling greater comfort around bears and nature than with other humans. Although in some of his footage he discusses relationships and questions why he is still single. He tries to fill his lack of a human connection by using bears as a way of escapism. Timothy makes up for a lack in his life by befriending bears and wild animals. Treadwell reveals that he was an alcoholic, and that nothing was stopping him from drinking until he discovered the danger that the bears were facing in their natural habitat, and lived with them in the wilderness. He also states that he runs free with the bears, emulating a child. His parents state that he feared rejection and had always had a love of bears and nature, unhappy in his life until he was out living with the bears, 'saving' them. Although it is disputed that he was doing them more harm than good.

"We explored the glacier in the back country of his grizzly sanctuary. This gigantic complexity of tumbling ice and abysses, separated Treadwell from the world out there. And more so, it seems to me that this landscape in turmoil is a metaphor of his soul".

With the documentary compiled from hours of footage filmed by Treadwell himself, Herzog carefully selected shots where he is alone with the bears showing the full extent of his loneliness, or when he is riled up and discussing his anger. The mood of documentaries depend on how camera techniques and voice overs relate to the audience, transmitting different feelings/emotions. Shots similar to the screenshot above show how Herzog carefully selected these shot types, emphasising Lacan's theory:

• Lonely locations and severe backdrops.
• Treadwell is the only person in the shots/alone with the bears.
• Natural framing.
• Natural lighting.
• Diegetic sound from Treadwell's footage. Non-diegetic instrumental sound added in post-production, used to emote sympathy for him.
• Handheld camera.