"Creators of texts characterise people in certain ways in order to encourage audiences to accept or reject ides associated with them". Discuss this statement with reference to at least one documentary you have studied.
The innovating and evoking documentary "When we were kings" characterises Muhammad Ali as more then just an elite Athlete. Through the use of film language/ techniques we are presented with an image of Ali been a hero, a man of the people and a black activist. Because of this representation formed in "When we were kings" and the way in which they are formed we as an audiences accept theses ideas the film associated with him. .
It is a well known fact that Ali was an elite athlete throughout this documentary we see more of him. Ali is characterized as a man of great beliefs on racism and cultural identity leading to this presentation of a black activist. The film uses a selection of photographs in montage with Ali standing with people such as Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. This shows that there influence and his association with other black activists have helped formed his strong feelings towards African-Americans. Also the decision to include the information about his decision not to go to the war in Vietnam, shows that he was a strong, determined man who stood up for what he believed in. Malik Bowens is used in a interview and voice over to how the African respected Ali and how much he did for African-Americans "he may of lost his title, million of dollars but that were he gained the respect of million of Africans". Because Ali is presented as a Black activist and we are shown archival footage of treatment of African American, the audiences is presented to accept the idea's associated with African culture and how African have been Americanized, therefore accept the ideas which are shown through Ali characterization.
Along with his strong views towards the treatment of African Americans Ali is also constructed as a man of the people.