Aileen: Life And Death Of A Serial Killer (Nick Broomfield, 2003)
What is the film about?
This documentary by Nick Broomfield is about the first female serial killer, named Aileen Wuornos who was a highway prostitute who was convicted of killing six men in Florida between the years 1989 and 1990. She claimed that the killing was self-defence. This film shows interviews between Aileen and Nick, showing her increasing unstable mentally. Throughout this film, Broomfield includes real footage of his testimony at her trail where se is shown guilty and charged with the death penalty.
Who are the main participants and what happens to them?
The main participants of this film are Nick Broomfield himself as he interviews Aileen and tells the story of herself, the other main anticipated is Aileen Wuornos as she is the main figure that this film is based on. Aileen kills 6 people and is charged with the death penalty and we see how this has impacted others and what her ice is like now leading up to her final days.
Who made the film?
Nick Broomfield was born in 1948, and he is an English documentary film director, whose self-reflective style had been regarded as an influential style to many different filmmakers, more specifically documentary filmmakers. During the early 21st century, Broomfield too up using non-actors in scripted works - this was called Direct Cinema.
Does the film hold a significant place in film history?
This film holds a significant place in history, as it shows the history of the first female serial killer in America, this is significant because the film itself is significant in as it the first film itself changed the course of the case itself as Nick Broomfield had to go to course because of what he did. It is also significant because she was the first female serial killer, who carried out a string of notorious and brutal murders to six men.
How is the subject framed?
The subject is framed in a professional way where we see Nick Broomfield questioning Aileen but in a professional way trying to get questions out of her. However, the subject is not framed like Micheal Moore where he is almost mocking the person he is interviewing, Broomfield asks Aileen questions but more cautiously but so he still recovers the answers to frame the subject well.
Do the filmmakers use any interesting techniques to convey information to the audience?
Interesting techniques used in Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer used were the sue of the interviews as they were real life footage hearing what actually happened. This is important because it conveyed factual information to the audience.
How is the film structured?
This film is structured almost based on timeline of the events. It’s like a narrative of Aileen’s life, so following the event after the other leading to her execution after being charged with the death penalty after waiting years for being charged with it.
To what extent is the film a notable example of the "mode" you have identified above?
Like the other films we have watched it does not classify under any of these specific modes of Bill Nicholas however it does have multiple of them included within but it does not conform to one of these specific modes.
What was your personal reaction to the film?
I personally enjoyed this film as I found it very different from the other documentary films we watched, it was very interesting to see the story behind it and the opinions and views people had including Aileen herself. It was a very informative documentary which provided a lot of information about the event that took making it easy to follow along.
Which sequences were particularly effective or enjoyable?
I found the sequences showing Aileen being interviewed the most effective and enjoyable because it showed insight ton the main character and showed what led her to do what she did, her view on it. However, this is not reliable because she may be trying to cover for herself that is why it is interesting to see the interviews between others who knew Aileen.
What do you think the filmmakers wanted to say?
I think that Nick Broomfield the story of Aileen’s life and to express the views surrounded by this situation. The filmmaker ultimately wanted to tell a story and provided it with factual evidence.