Individual film genres can often be quite difficult to define, documentary included. Genres are defined base on particular traits and conventions which viewers expect to see. Initially, one must differentiate between fiction and nonfictional films. Nonfictional films are identical to documentary films; in fact, the only way to determine one from the other is that one (nonfictional movies) appears to look real and the other (documentaries) is assumed to be real. 

     The detection between these two types of film also coincide with one of the expectations of the viewer. We expect documentaries to be real and truthful. The truth of the matter is that documentaries show certain aspects of reality or of the truth. I use these terms “reality” and “truth” fairly loosely because although it is in fact all true it is not the absolute truth. But from what/who’s perspective are you viewing it from? We should always consider what we are not being shown, and how the editing has the potential to shape the story in a specific way. 

     Editing must be done; this is the reality in all film-making. Editors must choose to omit certain aspects of the filming to build upon the specific premise of the story. This in no way discredits the real life process we are shown. The book Anatomy of Film, by Bernard F. Dick recites a quote by Robert Evans (producer) concerning documentary, “There are three sides to every story--- your side, my side, and the truth.” Documentary is an art form, so we can only expect for the artist to demonstrate his/her skills in story telling within the allotted time, and in the capacity that reveals their truths. Dick states, “…we live life; we do not live art; we experience it.” Documentary is about life and all of its wonders' and astonishment through someone else’s eyes. It satisfies our human nature of curiosity and inquisitiveness.

What is documentary?

"Doing a documentary is about discovering, being open, learning, and following curiosity."

- Spike Jonze

Documentary: The Six Modes

Participatory

     Participatory documentaries rely heavily on the relationship between the filmmaker and the subject(s). Occasionally, the filmmaker can also play a significant role in the story, and might discover a revelation through his/her own filming. For example, in Chico Colvard’s Family Affair he spent five years trying to get an answer from his father concerning the sexual relations/abuse between his father and his three sisters. At some point during the filming Chico realizes that his father’s response to why he did what he did is not important. However, the mere action of asking him is of the greatest significance. 

Film Cover

The Parents

The father's mugshot 

Chico and sisters

     





     
     Additionally, interviews are used to gather the history of the story in participatory documentary. The interviews also give light to the dynamics between the filmmaker and the subject(s), and the filmmaker and his/her place in the story. This type of encounter between the filmmaker and the subjects amid the interviewing process is called cinéma vérité in French. It means the “truth,” not referencing the absolute truth, but to the truth in the encounter between the two.


Alternative Film Examples: Roger and Me, Sherman’s March

Observational

 Observational: “Like a fly on the wall”

This mode of documenting film is purely observational. Filmmakers do not intervene during filming which could be extremely hard in certain situations. Its purpose is to simply film life as it is lived. This type of film has little narration and the least editing.

Reflexive

     Reflexive documentaries are viewed as representations of the world and a not a direct or overall perspective of life. It reveals the filmmakers' understanding of the process of assembly. Luis Buñuel’s, 1933 Land Without Bread is an example a reflexive documentary. It reveals the lives of peasants who live without essential basic utilities, and the necessary means for basic hygiene.

Performative

"Night and Fog"

      Perfomative documentaries emphasize on the viewers’ emotional response to the world, and subjective experience. This mode is highly emotional. Its goal is to broaden the perspective of the viewer, giving you insight into the world and how different cultures function. Additionally, it is created in the form of pathos, with the intent to persuade the audience’s feelings regarding the subject .

       Night and Fog was directed by Alain Resnais in 1955. It depicts the deplorable, and utter dehumanization of the Jews who resided in the concentration camps during the holocaust.

Poetic

From "NY NY"

     When you think of poetry you think about how all of the artistic elements are linked together and or are juxtaposed. In essence, this explains how poetic documentaries are created. This creative editing is an intricate weaving together of clips (b-roll, archival etc.), music, and sound (diegetic and non-diegetic). Poetic documentaries typically entail these categorical tracks: visual, audio and text; the collaboration of all the elements gives the film an artistic perspective. 

An example of a poetic documentary is Francis Thompson’s NY NY, created in 1957. He depicts a day in New York by piecing together clips by way of artistic shapes and sounds.

Expository 

     Expository documentaries are films which expose a person or a topic, and emphasize verbal commentary and argumentative logic. They speak directly to the viewer through narration, a narrator with an authoritative tone. This voice is also known as the “voice of god” in the realm of filmography and in literature. The “voice of god” is an omniscient voice which often seems objective. The film An Inconvenient Truth (AIT) is an example of an expository documentary. AIT is a controversial film by Al Gore which aims to highlight the dangers our society faces from climate change, and suggests immediate actions that need to be taken. Al Gore himself plays the narrator.

The main conventions used in expository documentaries which could help the viewer identify it are:

· Commentator (voice of god)

· Persuasive techniques


· The combining of facts and opinions

· Rhetorical Questions


Listed below are a few more examples of expository documentaries:

Wild China – 2011

Why We Fight- 1994

Night Mail – 1936