It's All True (1993) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

The documentary chronicles the conception, filming, cancellation, and archival recovery of Orson Welles's unfinished Latin American film project.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

Transatlantic Ambition

The project launches as Welles's third RKO film, partnering with the OIAA to document Latin American culture. Filming begins in Mexico and Brazil, capturing vibrant cultural stories under studio backing.

Key Events

• Project Conception — Welles plans his third feature film following Kane and Ambersons. Location: RKO Studio
• RKO Partnership — RKO Radio Pictures agrees to co-produce the Latin American project. Location: RKO Studio
• OIAA Collaboration — The Office of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs joins as co-producer. Location: Government Office
• Mexico Expedition — Filming begins for the My Friend Bonito episode under Norman Foster. Location: Mexico
• Bonito Supervision — Welles oversees the Mexican segment while Foster directs. Location: Mexico
• Brazil Departure — Production shifts to Brazil for the Carnaval and Jangadeiros episodes. Location: Brazil

Corporate Friction

Production expands to Brazil with two major episodes, but creative control and budget concerns escalate. Studio interference intensifies, leading to a sudden termination of funding and project cancellation.

Key Events

• Brazil Departure — Production shifts to Brazil for the Carnaval and Jangadeiros episodes. Location: Brazil
• Carnaval Shoot — Welles directs the vibrant Carnaval episode capturing samba culture. Location: Brazil
• Jangadeiros Shoot — Filming continues for the Four Men on a Raft documentary segment. Location: Brazil
• Studio Friction — Creative differences and budget concerns escalate between studio and directors. Location: RKO Studio
• RKO Termination — RKO officially terminates the project and funding due to corporate disputes. Location: RKO Studio
• Footage Repurposing — Some completed footage is repurposed or sent to stock film libraries. Location: Archive Facility

Oceanic Loss

Decades later, the massive Technicolor nitrate negative is dumped into the Pacific Ocean. A vault cache is unexpectedly discovered in the 1980s and formally transferred to UCLA for safekeeping.

Key Events

• Footage Repurposing — Some completed footage is repurposed or sent to stock film libraries. Location: Archive Facility
• Pacific Dumping — Approximately 200,000 feet of Technicolor nitrate negative is dumped into the ocean. Location: Pacific Ocean
• Vault Discovery — A cache of largely black-and-white nitrate negative is found in the 1980s. Location: Storage Vault
• UCLA Transfer — The discovered footage is formally presented to the UCLA Film and Television Archive. Location: UCLA Archive
• Inventory Initiation — A comprehensive 2000 inventory begins to assess the surviving material. Location: Archive Facility
• Preserved Reels Count — Inventory confirms approximately 50,000 feet of footage has been preserved. Location: Archive Facility

Archival Revival

Modern inventory reveals partial preservation alongside severe deterioration of the remaining nitrate. Conservation efforts focus on stabilizing the surviving footage for historical documentation.

Key Events

• Preserved Reels Count — Inventory confirms approximately 50,000 feet of footage has been preserved. Location: Archive Facility
• Deterioration Assessment — Assessment reveals approximately 130,045 feet of nitrate remains unpreserved. Location: Archive Facility
• Conservation Planning — Archivists develop strategies to stabilize and restore the remaining deteriorating reels. Location: Archive Facility
• Historical Review — Historians review the project's impact on Latin American cinema and Welles's career. Location: Archive Facility
• Legacy Documentation — The surviving fragments are cataloged as a significant piece of cinematic history. Location: Archive Facility

Story Breakdown

• Conceptual Origins — Establishes the project as Welles's third feature following his early successes.
  • RKO Partnership — RKO Radio Pictures agrees to finance and distribute the ambitious cross-continental production.
  • OIAA Collaboration — The government office joins to promote Inter-American cultural relations through cinema.
• International Filming — Captures the logistical and creative execution of shooting across two countries.
  • Mexico Expedition — Norman Foster directs the My Friend Bonito segment under Welles's supervision.
  • Brazil Episodes — Welles personally directs the Carnaval and Jangadeiros segments using Technicolor nitrate.
• Corporate Conflict — Highlights the growing tension between creative vision and studio management.
  • Studio Interference — Executive concerns over budget and runtime clash with the directors' artistic goals.
  • Funding Withdrawal — RKO abruptly halts financial support, effectively freezing production activities.
• Project Termination — Documents the official cancellation and immediate aftermath of the studio decision.
  • RKO Cancellation — The project is formally terminated, leaving the film incomplete and unreleased.
  • Creative Control Loss — Welles and Foster lose authority over editing and final cut decisions.
• Footage Disappearance — Tracks the fate of the massive negative stock over several decades.
  • Repurposing Decisions — Some completed segments are recycled or sold to stock film libraries.
  • Pacific Dumping — Approximately 200,000 feet of nitrate negative are discarded into the ocean.
• Archival Discovery — Details the unexpected recovery and transfer of surviving film materials.
  • Vault Cache Found — A hidden collection of black-and-white negatives is unearthed in storage.
  • UCLA Transfer — The discovered materials are formally donated to the university archive.
• Preservation Status — Assesses the current condition and conservation efforts for the remaining footage.
  • 2000 Inventory — A comprehensive catalog reveals partial preservation alongside massive losses.
  • Deterioration Challenges — Archivists prioritize stabilizing the remaining 130,000 feet of degrading nitrate.

Directed by

Myron Meisel, Norman Foster, Bill Krohn

Key Cast

• Manuel "Jacaré" Olimpio Meira — Self
• Jeronimo André De Souza — Self
• Raimundo 'Tata' Correia Lima — Self
• Manuel 'Preto' Pereira Da Silva — Self
• Jose Sobrinho — Self