Documentary

<p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p><em>Documentary</em> 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:</p><ul> <li> <em>Nanook of the North</em> (1922)</li> <li> <em>The Man with the Movie Camera</em> (1929)</li> <li> <em>Night Mail</em> (1936)</li> <li> <em>Night and Fog</em> (1955)</li> <li> <em>Primary</em> (1960)</li> <li> <em>Roger and Me</em> (1989)</li> <li> <em>Tarnation</em> (2003)</li> <li> <em>My Winnipeg</em> (2006)</li> <li> <em>Sicko</em> (2007)</li> <li> <em>Waltz With Bashir</em> (2008)</li> <li> <em>Say My Name</em> (2009)</li> <li> <em>Anvil: The Story of Anvil</em> (2009)</li> </ul> <p>@contents: <strong>Selected Contents:</strong> Acknowledgements Introduction <strong>Part I: ‘A Troubled and Difficult Art’: A Brief Introduction to Non-Fiction Film</strong> Chapter One: The ‘D’ Word: Definitions, ‘Obligations’ and Functions Chapter Two: Major Trends, Movements and Voices <strong>Part II: Reading Non-Fiction: Case Studies, Concepts and Criticism</strong> Chapter Three: Pioneers Nanook of the North (1922): Narrativising the Real The Man with the Movie Camera (1929): Montage and Ideology Night Mail (1936): The Poetics and Politics of Class Chapter Four: Bards Night and Fog (1955): Articulating the Unspeakable My Winnipeg (2006): A City of the Mind Waltz With Bashir (2008): Conflict and Memory Chapter Five: Performers Tarnation (2003): Performance and Autobiography Sicko (2007): Michael Moore, Documentary Superstar Say My Name (2009); Anvil: The Story of Anvil (2009): Rockumentary Revivals <strong>Conclusion: New Challenges, Territories and Directions</strong> A Select, Chronological Filmography Bibliography</p>