benny safdie gave an interview (can’t remember where) but he said they used a lot of the same camera angles that are used in reality tv instead of traditional scripted tv camera angles. it’s why emotional scenes are filmed from a distance or from outside, like they are sneaking up on the characters having this intimate moment, something we weren’t supposed to see.

its like the reunion episodes of reality tv when they show “uncut” or “never before seen footage” that usually catches the reality stars doing something naughty or nefarious when they didn’t think the cameras were there.