The Resume

(February 16, 1884-July 23, 1951)
Born in Iron Mountain, Michigan
Directed the films 'Nanook of the North' (1922), 'Moana' (1926), 'Tabu' (co-directed with F. W. Murnau, 1931), 'Man of Aran' (1934), 'Elephant Boy' (1937) and 'Louisiana Story' (1948)

Why he might be annoying:

Although considered the 'father of the documentary,' most of his documentaries feature staged scenes.
For example, the Inuit of 'Nanook' were asked to hunt with traditional weapons instead of the rifles they actually used and the central family in 'Man of Aran' consisted of unrelated people chosen for their photogenic qualities.
His first version of the 'Nanook' story was destroyed when he accidentally dropped a cigarette on the flammable silver nitrate film.
'Louisiana Story,' which emphasizes an oil rig's trouble-free coexistence with the environment, was financed by Standard Oil.
Although he traveled the world for his films, his home in Vermont had the motto 'Wander No More' carved above the fireplace.

Why he might not be annoying:

He explored northern Canada for a railway company, and an island in Hudson Bay is named for him.
His films are renowned for their lyrical imagery.
'Moana' was the first film referred to as a documentary.
Orson Welles called him 'one of the two or three greatest people who ever worked in the medium.'

Credit: C. Fishel

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• Artsy/Fartsy Directors
• C. Fishel's Profiles [Series 09]
• Directors of Sight and Sound's 10 Greatest Films: 1952 Critics Poll (Ranked: 5)
• Documentarians
• Film Pioneers [Silent Era]
• His and Hers
• I Died in 1951 (Ranked: 67)
• Profiles 22251-22500 (Ranked: 22365)
• Satirized on Rocky and Bullwinkle
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 19510723)

Year In Review:

In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 6 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 80.0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 2 Votes: 100% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 4 Votes: 75.00% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 13 Votes: 61.54% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 14 Votes: 35.71% Annoying
In 2012, Out of 7 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
In 2011, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying
In 2010, Out of 17 Votes: 47.06% Annoying
In 2009, Out of 22 Votes: 63.64% Annoying
In 2008, Out of 39 Votes: 58.97% Annoying