Documentary Film: Theory and Practice
Documentary film is the opposite of fiction film. Or is it? If it is, does that mean that the stories told in documentary film are more “real” or “true” than fictional stories? Do documentary films establish a different relationship with their audiences than fiction films?
From the very beginnings of cinema, France has made significant contributions to the development of the documentary genre. Through an exploration of important directors, moments, and sub-genres in this story, this course will examine theoretical questions fundamental to the genre that lead us to question the very definition of documentary film as a genre distinct from fiction film. These theoretical questions are broadly applicable to film in general and to other visual and textual forms. In this course, we will consider a selection of films from 1895 to the present; read widely in French history, film history, and film theory; and explore scholarly expression in formats facilitated by digital media.