6 Tips from Celina Borges Torrealba Carpi on Finding a Great Story for Your Documentary

Creating a documentary with a rich and cohesive story requires a mix of curiosity during pre-production, flexibility during filming, and creativity in post-production, according to Brazilian filmmaker Celina Borges Torrealba Carpi. For him, the essence of documentary filmmaking lies in evoking deep emotions and creating an experience that resonates with viewers on several levels. Documentation doesn’t just show facts; they are a form of storytelling with conflicts, resolutions, and narrative arcs that allow filmmakers to move, inform, and inspire their audiences.

Who is Celina Borges Torrealba Carpi?

Celina Borges Torrealba Carpi is a Brazilian filmmaker known for his work exploring themes of ancestry, memory, and identity formation. Over the years, he has gained recognition both in Brazil and internationally for his insightful documentaries that amplify marginalized voices and address important social issues. Celina believes that documentaries offer a unique space for ordinary people to share their personal stories and perspectives on topics that shape our society.

His approach to filmmaking is rooted in his own life experience. Celina’s projects often dive into the intricacies of the human story, revealing the connections between the past and the present. His work enriches Brazilian cinema while contributing to the global conversation about how our history shapes who we are today.

6 Tips from Celina Torrealba for Finding Documentary Stories

Documentary is a unique form of storytelling that combines art and reality, transforming everyday subjects into powerful narratives. Whether you’re focusing on a lesser-known person or a widely known event, finding the right story is essential. Here it is Top tips Celina Borges Torrealba Carpi to guide you in finding interesting stories for your own documentary:

1. Find Your Theme

Documentary themes and stories are important as they connect the audience to things outside of themselves, bringing emotional and intellectual engagement. However, it is important to distinguish between theme and story.

That theme becomes the foundation from which your narrative emerges. Celina points out that themes can be found everywhere if you know where to look. For beginner filmmakers, observing the world, drawing inspiration from other documentaries, art, or current events can attract ideas.

In her documentary “Cheiro de Vida,” Celina explores the life of her grandfather, Ernesto Torrealba. The film could have taken several directions—focusing on his career as a diplomat or his literary endeavors. Instead, Celina chooses to center the narrative around her role as a father, using this personal lens to explore broader themes of identity and heritage. By focusing on the emotional core of his subjects, he creates stories that are not only informative but deeply resonant.

2. Embrace the unexpected

One of the unique aspects of documentary filmmaking is its unpredictability. It is not uncommon for filmmakers to find that their story evolves only during production or even later in the editing room. Unlike traditional scripted films, documentaries are fluid, and their form and content often take unexpected turns.

While it’s important to have a script or structure in mind, Celina highlights that flexibility can be beneficial. Sometimes, letting the story unfold organically during the process can lead to unexpected discoveries that enrich the film. However, this openness to change may require additional time and budget, as the story may expand beyond the initial vision.

3. Challenge Your Preconceptions

The story you seek may be hidden behind your own biases. Celina advises documentary filmmakers to keep an open mind throughout the research process. Often, the full form and content only reveal themselves when you are willing to explore a perspective that challenges your initial assumptions.

For example, if your film covers historical events, doing in-depth research will help you build a narrative arc. However, as you gather more information, you may discover a new angle that changes your original approach. Allowing yourself to be surprised by your findings can lead to a better, more nuanced documentary.

4. Observe the World Around You

Monitoring global trends and local events can provide a lot of inspiration for documentary topics. Events that happen in your own community or neighborhood can reveal powerful stories waiting to be told.

Celina’s latest project focuses on Squel Jorgea, the flag leader for Portela’s samba school. Using the backdrop of Rio’s Carnaval, he explores Afro-Brazilian heritage through the Portela 2024 parade at the Sambadrome, which draws inspiration from Ana Maria Gonçalves’ book, “Um Defeito de Cor.” This project is a testament to how current events and cultural phenomena can be harnessed to tell stories with historical depth.

5. Ask the Facts

To stand out as a documentary, it is important not only to find interesting stories but also to carefully investigate the facts surrounding them. The modern documentary landscape has moved away from presenting only one point of view. Today’s documentaries embrace multiple perspectives, enriching the narrative with open questions rather than definitive answers.

in his documentary “The Art of Diplomacy,” co-produced with Zeca Brito and Sergio Carpi among other producers, it sheds light on a significant yet lesser-known historical episode: the donation of more than 160 modernist paintings by Brazilian artists to Great Britain during World War II. This act of cultural diplomacy is not only about art; It was a symbolic gesture of Brazil’s stance against fascism. The film shows how these works of art are used to foster international relations and how art can be used as a form of resistance.

6. Gathering Resources and Resources

Once you’ve chosen your theme, invest time in gathering resources that will enrich your story. Conducting thorough research and interviewing key figures related to your topic can reveal hidden layers that add depth to your documentary. Celina emphasizes the importance of casting a wide net in your research to find unique details that can change your perspective.

For “Cheiro de Vida,” Celina looked into her family’s archives, examining letters, photographs, documents, and diaries. This extensive research allows him to craft stories that are intimate and universally relatable. By tapping into personal artifacts and historical records, Celina creates a film that explores not only her grandfather’s life but also broader themes of memory, identity, fatherhood and the immigrant experience.

Being open to the direction your source can take you can lead to unexpected discoveries. Allowing the material you reveal to guide the narrative can result in a more authentic and engaging film. Although this approach can extend the time needed for production and post-production, it often results in a documentary that has more depth and audience.