An exploration of the similarities and differences between the defining characteristics of documentary and fiction
Date
2015-05-13
Authors
Mhone, Zimema
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Scholarly
discourse
surrounding
the
moving
image
suggests
the
actuality
of
clearly
defined
filmic
modes.
Regarding
the
filmic
mode
of
documentary;
scholars
focus
on
the
debate
between
documentary's
associations
with
'actuality'
and
'objectivity'
versus
the
subjective
nature
of
film
as
an
artistic
construction.
According
to
Bill
Nichols
(2001:
38)
documentary,
unlike
fiction,
has
the
potential
to
influence
due
to
our
assumption
that
documentary
images
and
sounds
are
an
authentic
representation
of
the
world.
Conversely,
we
assume
fiction
is
a
"fabrication"
(Renov
1993:
7)
that
aims
to
project
an
illusion
of
the
world.
In
the
21st
century,
we
are
witnessing
the
emergence
of
filmmakers
who
are
vocally
challenging
the
established
characteristics
that
embody
the
documentary
and
fiction
modes.
In
documentary,
filmmakers
are
exploring
the
boundaries
of
categorisation
by
openly
embracing
subjective
intentions
and
processes
commonly
associated
with
fiction.
Fiction
filmmakers
have
attempted
to
harness
the
'truthfulness'
of
documentary;
the
byproduct
of
which
being
the
manifestation
of
the
docudrama
sub-‐genre
in
popular
culture.
These
new
developments
call
for
an
investigation
that
leads
to
a
better
understanding
of
the
fundamental
reasons
behind
them.
Drawing
from
a
theoretical
framework
and
the
film
component
as
a
case
study,
this
report
investigates
the
characteristics
that
define
these
filmic
modes
and
examines
how
these
characteristics
relate
to
objectivity,
subjectivity
and
actuality.
This
paper
interrogates
the
perceived
differences
in
their
defining
characteristics,
and
explores
the
strong
indications
that
documentary
and
fiction
films
are
products
of
a
similar
intention
and
process.