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On Friday 10 October, Caroline Hoebens will defend her PhD dissertation 'Muziek in documentaires van Joris Ivens'. In her thesis, she explores the meaning, function, and use of music in nine documentaries by the Dutch filmmaker Joris Ivens (1898-1989).

Music in rhetorical documentaries

Between 1930 and 1960, Ivens achieved international faim as a pioneer in documentary filmmaking, documenting wars and revolutions. His films can be classified as rhetorical documentaries, designed to convince audiences of a particular viewpoint. Ivens, who was a communist, sought to garner support for his ideals and to affect change in society.

Hoebens’ thesis focuses on the role of music in Ivens’ documentaries. She argues that music is an important and practical tool for filmmakers to influence and manipulate audience response. In interaction with image and commentary, music can express desired moods and generate emotions. In Ivens’ case, music may have evoked feelings of national pride, collective solidarity, and cohesion, or add a melancholic touch to the images.

One of Hoebens’ conclusions is that in analysing music in documentaries it is important to distinguish between original and pre-existing compositions. Ivens drew on both specially composed scores and fragments from familiar folk tunes, patriotic songs, and traditional music. Because such music was sometimes already familiar to target audiences, it could potentially strengthen their emotional engagement with the plight of the people portrayed on screen.

Prior to the defence, Hoebens will give a layman’s talk starting at 10:00.