Primary

Primary is a 1960 documentary film made by the Drew Associates. This documentary represents direct cinema type filmmaking because the Drew Associates are trying to capture what is really happening during the 1960 Wisconsin presidential primary. The film follows senator John F. Kennedy and his rival senator Hubert Humphrey as they compete against each other in attempt to win the primary. Primary was filmed at a time when politics first began getting media attention. From this documentary, it is evident that media appearance does have an impact on political campaigns and that while on television politicians do perform.



In Primary, the focus jumps back and forth between Kennedy and Humphrey. Kennedy is always surrounded by a younger crowd which shows his youth and new political opinions. Humphrey is always seen talking to older people which shows his age and that he has similar outlooks as past presidents.

When on camera, Kennedy and Humphrey do not act like themselves. Before going on camera, they put makeup on so they look more attractive and they are positioned perfectly so that the light hits them at a great angle. When the cameraman starts messing with his equipment, Kennedy goes from being relaxed to smiling for the camera. Before Humphrey goes on air, he tells the shows host what questions to ask him and tells the cameraman exactly where to stand to make him look the best. Both candidates want to look good for the media, but Kennedy is much more attractive which had a huge impact on his success.

Performance is a key to political success. Candidates have to seem confident, intelligent, and friendly. At one point in the film Primary, Jackie Kennedy addresses the crowd. She looks beautiful and seems very confident to the crowd. However, the camera gets a close up of her hands behind her back and the audience can see that she keeps fidgeting nervously. Later, Jackie and John Kennedy are shaking hands with all of the people as they leave. Both look very happy to be meeting all these people and shaking their hands, but when the camera zooms in on Jackie actually shaking hands, we can see that she is letting go before the other person is done with the handshake. Her actions are simply a performance because she wants herself and her husband to be appealing to the voters.