Synopses & Reviews
Dave Saunders? spirited introduction to documentary covers its history, cultural context and development, and the approaches, controversies and functions pertaining to non-fiction filmmaking. Saunders examines the many methods by which documentary conveys meaning, whilst exploring its differing societal purposes.
After a historical consideration of international documentary production, the author examines the impact of recent technological developments on the production, distribution and viewing of non-fiction. In addition, he explores the increasingly hazy distinctions between factual and dramatic formats, discussing ?reality television?, the ?docu-drama?, and less orthodox approaches including animated and fantastical representations of reality.
Documentary encompasses a broad range of academic discourse around non-fiction filmmaking, introducing readers to the key filmmakers, major scholars, central debates and critical ideas relating to the form. This wide-ranging guidebook features global releases from the 1920s through to 2009, and includes films such as:
- Nanook of the North (1922)
- The Man with the Movie Camera (1929)
- Night Mail (1936)
- Night and Fog (1955)
- Primary (1960)
- Roger and Me (1989)
- Tarnation (2003)
- My Winnipeg (2006)
- Sicko (2007)
- Waltz With Bashir (2008)
- Say My Name (2009)
- Anvil: The Story of Anvil (2009)
Synopsis
This clear and lively introduction to documentary covers the history, cultural context and development of this form, within cinema and on television, and the approaches, methods and functions inherent to non-fiction filmmaking in particular. David Saunders introduces the key pioneers, poets and performers of this topical genre and includes a close analysis of critical films, such as:
- Nanook of the North (Flaherty, 1922)
- Man with a Movie Camera (Vertov, 1929)
- Night Mail (Wright & Watt, 1936)
- Night and Fog (Resnais, 1955)
- The Thin Blue Line (Morris, 1988)
- Paris is Burning (Livingstone, 1990)
- Kurt and Courtney (Broomfield, 1995)
- Sicko (Moore, 2007)
After consideration of international documentary making, its history and evolution, Saunders then considers the impact of digital technologies on the production, funding and distribution of non-fiction films for both television and cinema and considers the increasingly blurred boundaries between factual and dramatic formats, discussing mockumentaries, reality TV and the docu-soap.
This book offers an accessible, comprehensive guide for the reader new to the study of documentary and would make an attractive addition to any bookshelf.