The narrative presented in documentary films frequently conforms to the pattern of that genre. Occasionally variances in this do occur, but not often. In bowling for Columbine, Michael Moore presents a somewhat conventional approach to the narration of the presented images, but upon closer inspection it can be seen that Moore takes the role of narrator and extends it well beyond the bounds of conventional documentary films.
Convention often presents a male "god like" narrator. Moore himself is this figure, guiding audiences through interviews and the historical background of America and it's guns. He is the all knowing, omniscient presenter who appears to open the audiences eyes on many issues.
Moore extend this role to a great extent as whilst he is our god like narrator, he is introduced at the beginning of the film, he is an active participant throughout the film and is an observer from within the society he condemns. He is from Michigan, he is a member of the NRA and he did have guns as a teenager. This creates a unique perspective as the barriers between narrator, subject, social actors and audience are destroyed. Without this BC would be a (insert Para). He is one of them, one of us, and a separate observer simultaneously, a position that allows Moore to introduce questions relevant from all perspectives without necessarily providing answers.Documentaries are seen as films based on fact, which invite an audience, uphold belief of a certain issue. Bowling for Columbine undoubtedly does this, drawing on archival footage and statistics regularly to evidence the importance of the images shown to an audience. There are questions raised surrounding the reproduction of historical events, but Moore overcomes uncertainty, taking audience beyond simply upholding belief to suspending it through the incorporation of modern images and satirical cartoons. Note :"I loves my gun-.
Conventions sees documentaries incorporate, sometimes relying very heavily upon historical footage or data to act as evidence in the building of an argument or position on the subject at hand.