The man behind the camera

Observing the interview of Roger Ebert with Michael Apted was an interesting experience. For some strange reason since I had learned of the existence of Up Series I had not seen the creator of these masterpiece documentaries. Unfortunately for Apted and like Jackie, Lynn and Sue (the three working-class participants) he was really affected in his appearance by age. Time certainly took its toll.

I am fascinated by the series; however, I’m afraid that after learning about Apted’s experiences, inner thoughts and details in making the series now I am more hooked than ever. In this interview I discovered interesting details I did not know of like how (when age 22) covering 7Up as a researcher for Granada Television was Apted’s first job, and that as the series progressed he “felt a terrible urge to play God” by anticipating what would happen in the lives of two of the participants: Tony and Neil (Apted, 2006). Apted also believes that some of the participants have moved from their initial class system; the class system in England was eroding, but not to the extent to make a definite conclusion.

Apted confirms that the series initially had a political agenda because World in action was a leftist, socialist program; however, over the years he learned “we cannot predict lives. The series shows us that life and its changes are eternal” (Apted, 2006).  After 7Up, the series does not give the audience a strong political context because Apted believed it seemed trivial. The series was focused on the characters and the politics of the films were the lives of the participants. Their lives were the political statements not their opinions on a certain matter. Before Ebert had finished his sentence, Apted interrupted him by making the clarification that 21Up is an exception to the rule.  Apted argues that we see in the participants changes from the old England to the new. They talk about trends which were revolutionizing the nation: the libertine, the rock music, etc... He sees himself as fortunate by being able to record the awakening of this liberal generation.

The Up series became much more than it was expected. He recognizes that apart from viewing the participants’ lives we can relate to each of their lives in a certain way; “there’s something in it for everybody” (Apted, 2006).  I now know that I am not the only person that can identify with the Up Series characters (some more than others). As I see Suzy in an unhappy and desperate state at age 21, Peter struggling with his loneliness at ages 28 and 35, Nick selling his father’s farm at age 42 and Tony as a conservative grandfather in Spain at age 49, I wonder what will be of my life at these ages and how such changes will determine my future. I guess I will also find out every 7 years.

Reference:

Ebert, Roger. “Seventh time 'Up' for Apted”. (October 12, 2006)  Interview with Michael Apted.