Secrets of Body Language
Whether we’re watching an important speech by a national politician, gazing at a movie star during a red carpet interview, or just chatting with our friends, we can’t always discern the truth from what we hear. There is much more that can be conveyed to us through attitude, eye contact or physical interaction. In fact, research shows that 93% of all human communication is physical.
“Secrets of Body Language” draws on the expertise of those who specialize in these forms of nonverbal communication and seeks to gain a deeper understanding of some of the most important moments in history and tabloid culture. As the camera rolls, it’s human nature to strike a confident, open pose, but our body language can easily give away those good intentions. Nowhere is this truer than in politics, where fantasies of cooperation often hide great fear, uncertainty and discord.
The film shows us several examples of this, including the summit between US President Bill Clinton, Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak at the start of the new millennium, as well as Richard President Nixon in the Watergate incident more than two decades ago. Either way, the simplest pat on the back, the folded arms across the chest, the tremor of the voice, the pace of the footsteps, the gesture of the handshake all speak of underlying tension and doubt.
The documentary’s standout segments, dominated by the likes of Britney Spears, Paris Hilton, Brad Pitt, and Angelina Jolie, are dull and amusing examples at best. More important are the sections that highlight the world of success and the nonverbal qualities of business leaders, salespeople who excel at closing deals, or members of the NYPD whose instinct to read body language can be the difference between life and death.
Fast-paced and engaging, The Body Language Mystery is a fascinating study of human nature and how our actions can truly speak louder than words.
Directed by: James Millar
