This module looks at the history and theory of documentary as a way of contextualising contemporary practice.

The concept of documentary filmmaking has changed throughout its history depending on the differing emphases placed on the ethics, aesthetics and politics of making films about the world in which we live. Understanding the issues behind the debates about the practice and process of making documentary films is a central to an understanding of the history of filmmaking as well as to an appreciation of contemporary films and videos. This module thus provides the opportunity for students to view and discuss a number of historically significant films and moments in the history of documentary, with a connection to key concepts in the study of documentary (such as ethics, performance, etc). It also places emphasis on the reading of articles and books written about the films both on its first release and since in order to understand the process of public debate about the medium and the consequent evolution of ideas and new forms of documentary filmmaking. Central to the choice of films is the idea of documentary filmmaking and viewing as a process of investigation into reality and its representation.

• To provide the opportunity to investigate and discuss several of the most significant non-fiction films in the history of cinema
• To provide a solid overview of the history of documentary filmmaking from the beginning of cinema to the present day
• To give an understanding of the different types of non-fiction film and how these have changed over time
• To explore some of the key issues and questions of non-fiction representation

At the end of this module students will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the debates concerning the nature of documentary film.

   

• Work with, and subject to critique, a range of definitions of documentary film.

   

• Explain the issues arising out of specific cases of documentary film

   

• Analyse and decode examples of contemporary and historical documentary filmmaking.

   

They will practice the skills of:

• Preparing and leading discussion and generating debate.

   

A possible list of topics and films could include:

• Early cinema and actualities – Lumiere brothers, Mitchell and Kenyon, etc
• Ethnography; Nanook of the North
• Soviet avant-garde; Man with a Movie Camera
• British documentary movement; Drifters
• Holocaust documentaries; Night and Fog
• Cinema Verite in ; Chronique d’un ete
• Direct cinema in the ; Gimme Shelter
• Surrealism and essay films; Sans Soleil and Las Hurdes
• Mock-documentary; This is Spinal Tap
• Re-enactment; The Thin Blue Line
• Politics; The Age of Stupid

Lectures/ seminars (11)

Reading using lecturer’s guidance

Researching and preparing presentations

Participating in discussion

Required books for this module:

Barnouw, Erik. Documentary: A History of the Non-Fiction Film. OUP, 1993

Ellis, Jack C., and Betsy McLane. A New History of Documentary Film. Continuum, 2005

Nichols, Bill. Introduction to Documentary. Indiana Univ. Press, 2002

Recommended Books:

Aufderheide, Patricia. Documentary Film: A Very Short Introduction. OUP, 2008.