WHAT IS A DOCUMENTARY
Broadly defined by the average individual, a documentary is a non-fictional film based or showing a supposed form of reality. It is often defined as a film that is based on reality and that shows reality as it is happening. However, it is important to note that documentaries are not just about cameras rolling and filming aspects of events as they happen. Documentaries often explore unique points of view, and unknown aspects of the reality. Film makers are often pushed into the production of a documentary when they feel that a particular issue is not receiving the attention that it should.
(Freeland and Wartenberg 1995) however state that despite decades of documentary production and viewing, a depiction of reality is not a definitive definition of documentaries. He continues to indicate that it is quite difficult to suggest boundaries within which a movie should be produced in order to fit within the genre. While the foundation of documentaries is in fact reality, this reality is often subject to the producer’s definition and expression. Documentaries often though not always represent real people and real events, which in turn are interpreted to bring about social discussions on matters affecting the society today.
Thesis statement: documentaries are a branch of film which depicts the actual, shaping reality in the present and the past.
Questions
Is there a relationship between fiction movies and the depiction of messages in documentaries using drama?
Our understanding of the past is often heavily influenced by documentaries made at the time, is this perception of history based on truth?
TREVOR PONECH’S DEFINITION OF DOCUMENTARY
Ponech has been influential in directing and providing paths through which an understanding of documentaries can be made. According to him, there has never existed and will never exist, a true perspective and representation of reality on film. As long as a film is produced by a human being, then the truth and reality has been altered. Human beings are prone to emotions, to interpretations and even alterations that completely distort the reality. To Ponech therefore, a documentary film cannot be perceived as true reality. However, what makes a documentary film is not the production or message in the film but rather the intentions of the film maker. According to (Platinga 2011) documentary films are heavily influenced by culture, religions, social upbringing and even the nature of human beings themselves. Hence a film produced on one subject matter by one individual varies completely from the same film made by another individual. Is it therefore that reality has changes within the films? This is not the case, reality remains the same, and however, the human being himself perceives reality differently.