As Frank and Herta Guttman prepared to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary, Guttman interviewed them about the nature of their relationship, asking candid questions about love, gender, and fidelity. She continued the interviews over several years and, after her parents died, delved deeper into their story by reading letters exchanged between the couple during their courtship and sifting through old family photos and home videos.
Guttman’s journey of family research and reflection culminated in More Than You Can Know: A Marriage Story, her debut documentary released last year. The 30-minute film has since been selected for screening at several events, including the Manhattan Film Festival Expo, the Maine International Film Festival, the Indie Short Film Festival in Charlottesville, Va., and Toronto Indie Shorts, where it was named Best Documentary.
Although Guttman had never made a film before, she discovered that the production process reminded her of writing poetry. “I didn’t have a script. I was trying to piece it together the way I would a book of poems,” she said. “It’s the same as when you’re working on poems and you start to see a shape.”
“I think it is provocative for people. I think it makes them think about their own families and the things that they might want to ask their parents before they can’t anymore.”
Guttman worked with producers and an editor, and received support from across the Hamilton community. Several students assisted with various aspects of the project, including documenting archival materials, editing parts of the film, and voicing young Frank and Herta. Guttman’s colleagues provided feedback and expertise. She noted that she took her “first and only” film course with Professor of Art Ella Gant, who taught her more about videography. Hamilton College’s Dietrich Inchworm Grant, which supports faculty members “who wish to explore something new, attempt pioneering projects, or push disciplinary boundaries,” funded the project.
“I think it is provocative for people. I think it makes them think about their own families and the things that they might want to ask their parents before they can’t anymore,” Guttman said, reflecting on the audience response to More Than You Can Know. “It does seem to touch people at a personal level, and that’s gratifying.”
Editor’s note: Majestic Terhune ’21 helped with early research on More Than You Can Know as a student assistant.
