A documentary film is a special kind of film. Because if it's a film, it's a script, a director, weeks of organising the production, preparing the set. However, the main premise of a colloquial 'documentary' is quite different from the rest of films. Documentaries are supposed to present a slice of reality. And a reality in which the director interferes as little as possible. However, if we are supposed to see the actual reality then why a director? Where is the line between directing films, staging films and showing authentic stories, events? We will try to answer all this in the article.
The definition of documentary film has evolved over the years. Many have attempted to explain it in their own way. One of the earliest definitions said that a documentary requires the participation of a political director. Another that in order for a film to be considered a documentary the director must not have full control over the filming shots. Another that it must be a project funded by state institutions. Today, a documentary film is video message or TV "which consists in showing a reality that is unprepared for the needs of the camera„.
The specific conditions it must meet are now also adopted:
- A link to reality.
The film must deal with real events or persons. These people or events must be depicted directly or possibly reported by real witnesses and authentic records and material must be used. - Methods of implementation.
First and foremost, a documentary must not contain specifically planned and specially directed events. However, the practice is that very often routine activities, characters, are reconstructed for the film. Interviews are conducted, reality is gently stimulated to reveal real human behaviour. It may seem very easy to go beyond the framework of a documentary. Indeed, it can be. but where does this limit of interference lie? Every artist has so many opinions on the subject and so many methods of documentation. - Appropriate structure.
Absolutely, a documentary film must have a coherence of thought and a relationship with reality. Of course, every artist can show a documentary in a different, innovative and original way. But even then, the structure must be preserved.
Documentary today
Documentary films are very often made in the arena of political, cultural, social events that are currently happening in the country or the world. Often these are difficult subjects, the apex of which has just been revealed. Newsreels, interviews, reports and even investigations - all of these are part of the documentary and are of great interest to viewers. Filmmakers, artists are becoming increasingly bold and open. This also translates into today's documentaries, their subject matter and their audience. Documentaries, by design and definition, show reality and a world that is often unattainable for the common man. There are facts and stories that we get to know thanks to the filmmakers, which we would probably never reach on our own. This makes documentaries also have an educational, informative and often opinion-forming function. This is why there is also a pressure and burden of truth on the creators, a public discussion that can be initiated.
Documentary films are very often made in the arena of political, cultural, social events that are currently happening in the country or the world.
Here, a great contemporary example can be the Sekielski brothers' film titled 'Tylko nie mów nikomu'. It touches on a very difficult subject related to the church environment, revealing the names of specific clergymen. A documentary with strong accents of journalistic reportage.
There are also documentaries that are increasingly made out of dedication, passion, a sense of mission. Some people dedicate a lifetime or many years to researching, experiencing, learning. This later produces documentaries of their journeys, their lives, their experiences.
[...] increasingly arise from dedication, passion, a sense of mission.
An example of this kind of documentary is Salt of the Earth, directed by Wim Wenders and Juliano Salgado. It is a documentary about a Brazilian photographer who travelled the world for 40 years (!). He gave up photography to document areas free from civilisation. As a result, we can see areas where fauna and flora thrive in their own way without any interference. The film shows the silhouette of the photographer from the perspective of the directors (Juliano is his son).
Documentary series on cinema
There are many stories, people and places worth showing. At Simple Frame, we decided to collaborate on film production documentaries about the "Sailor" cinema in Jastarnia. A rich, very interesting history of the place, people who still remember it and have the opportunity to pass it on so that it continues to live. Interesting facts about the cinema that you won't know anywhere else, and that you would never have known about. Many of you know the cinema as you pass it on your way to work or school, perhaps even having been there more than once. But do you know what history the walls of the "Sailor" cinema hide?