Full Exposure: Empty Quarter
Empty Quarter
dir. Alain LeTourneau and Pam Minty, US, 2011, 16mm, 71 mins, b/w, sound
Empty Quarter is set in Lake, Harney and Malheur counties of Southeast Oregon. An area populated by ranching and farming communities, the region is roughly one-third of Oregon’s landmass yet holds less than 2% of the state’s population.
Borrowing from earlier forms of documentary, rather than subscribing to a modern form of documentary replete with talking heads and B-roll images, Empty Quarter presents stark portraits, waiting to be explored and digested by the viewer. Their meaning can be felt in the slow process of accumulation and measured response. Through a series of stationary shots, recording open landscapes and activities of local residents, Empty Quarter reflects on the character of the region. Voices of local residents describe the history of pioneer settlement, social life of rural communities, and the struggles of small town economies as natural areas are viewed among images of industry, various labor processes, resource management and recreation.
