Documentaries and Docudramas

Abstract

This entry provides an outline of the historical development of the documentary, the theoretical debates regarding its generic identity as the art of the real, and future directions for research. In tracing the major traditions and forms of documentary filmmaking, including the controversial format of the docudrama, special attention is paid to its constant reinvention from the film to video and finally the digital age, as well as its complex interactions with journalism. Throughout its evolution, the documentary emerges as a critical pillar of the modern public sphere, inextricably tied to the major social, cultural, and political experiences and transformations of contemporary societies.

Lovely heteronormative families in a harmonious society? The docudrama representations of the human‐pet relationship in contemporary China

“…This divide has shaped the fundamental understanding of documentaries as accurate representations of facts and engaging forms of modern journalism. Conversely, fiction is often defined by creative plots and sounds, presenting a crafted reality where the audience can experience the story as it is creatively presented (Friend, 2021; Paschalidis, 2019). In the 1980s, the prevailing belief was that the “original” actors and scenes featured in a documentary offered a more authentic and reliable guide to understanding the world compared to fictional representations.…”