Documentaries: they transport us to different realities, challenge our perspectives, and shed light on untold stories. But to fully appreciate the artistry and impact of documentaries, understanding the language they use is essential. So, grab your popcorn (documentaries can be entertaining too!), and let’s explore the vocabulary that brings the world to life on screen.
Documentary Films Vocabulary
Here are some vocabulary terms commonly associated with documentary films:
Documentary: A non-fictional film or video that presents factual information about real-life events, people, or topics.
Subject: The main topic or focus of a documentary, which may include individuals, organizations, events, or issues.
Interview: A formal conversation or discussion between the filmmaker and a subject, often used to gather information, insights, or personal perspectives.
Footage: Recorded material, including video and audio recordings, used in a documentary to depict real-life events or scenes.
Narration: The spoken commentary or voice-over used in a documentary to provide context, explanations, or additional information to the audience.
Archival Footage: Historical or pre-existing footage used in a documentary to illustrate or support the narrative, often sourced from archives, newsreels, or other media sources.
Reenactment: A dramatized recreation of past events or scenes, often used in documentaries to illustrate historical events or personal experiences.
Exposé: A documentary that exposes or reveals hidden truths, injustices, or wrongdoing, often through investigative journalism or whistleblowing.
Cinéma vérité: A style of documentary filmmaking that emphasizes truthfulness, realism, and authenticity, often employing handheld cameras and naturalistic techniques.
Fly-on-the-wall: A documentary filmmaking approach in which the filmmaker observes events as they happen without interfering or influencing the subjects.
Talking Head: A shot in a documentary featuring a person speaking directly to the camera, often used for interviews or commentary.
Credits: The list of individuals or organizations involved in the production of a documentary, including the director, producers, cinematographers, and editors.
Point of View (POV): The perspective or standpoint from which a documentary is presented, often influenced by the filmmaker’s beliefs, values, or experiences.
Verité: Short for cinéma vérité, this term refers to a style of documentary filmmaking characterized by its observational and unobtrusive approach.
Ethnographic Film: A documentary that explores the culture, customs, and practices of a specific group of people, often through immersive fieldwork and participant observation.
Social Issue: A topic or problem affecting society, such as poverty, inequality, or environmental degradation, often explored in documentary films to raise awareness or advocate for change.
Biographical Documentary: A documentary that focuses on the life story, achievements, or contributions of a specific individual, often using archival footage, interviews, and reenactments.
Environmental Documentary: A documentary that examines issues related to the natural world, such as climate change, conservation, or pollution, often featuring scientific research and expert commentary.
Political Documentary: A documentary that explores political issues, movements, or events, often advocating for specific viewpoints or highlighting social injustices.
Observational Documentary: A documentary filmmaking style that emphasizes direct observation of real-life events or situations, often without commentary or narration.
Documentary Films Movie Idioms
While there may not be specific idioms unique to documentary films, certain phrases or expressions commonly associated with the genre can convey the process, style, or impact of documentary filmmaking.
Here are some examples:
Behind the scenes: Refers to the process of making a documentary film, including the research, interviews, and filming that occur off-camera.
Expose the truth: Indicates the goal of many documentary filmmakers to uncover and reveal hidden or unknown information about a particular subject or issue.
Shine a light on: Similar to “expose the truth,” this phrase emphasizes the documentary’s role in bringing attention to a specific topic or problem.
Bear witness to: Suggests the documentary’s function as a record or testimony of real-life events, experiences, or testimonies.
Cutting-room floor: Refers to the footage that is edited out of the final version of a documentary, often containing interesting or valuable content that didn’t make it into the film.
Truth be told: Used to introduce a statement that is believed to be true or accurate, emphasizing the documentary’s commitment to presenting factual information.
Uncover the story: Implies the process of discovering or revealing the narrative arc or central theme of a documentary, often through research and interviews.
The camera doesn’t lie: Emphasizes the perceived authenticity and objectivity of documentary filmmaking, suggesting that what is captured on camera is truthful and reliable.
On location: Refers to the filming of a documentary at real-life settings or places relevant to the subject matter, rather than in a studio or controlled environment.
Peel back the layers: Indicates the process of exploring deeper or hidden aspects of a subject or issue, often through in-depth interviews or investigative reporting.
In the editing room: Describes the stage of documentary production where the footage is organized, trimmed, and arranged to create the final film.
In the can: Indicates that filming for a particular segment or scene of the documentary is complete and ready for editing.
Stay true to: Emphasizes the documentary filmmaker’s commitment to accurately representing the subject matter and maintaining integrity in storytelling.
Capture the essence of: Implies the goal of the documentary to convey the fundamental nature or core elements of a subject, event, or experience.
Set the record straight: Indicates the documentary’s intention to correct misconceptions or inaccuracies about a particular topic or issue.
Documentary Films Quotes
Here are some memorable quotes from documentary films:
“The only way to deal with the past is to accept it.” – Amy (2015)
“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” – The Fog of War (2003)
“Everybody loves a hero. People line up for them, cheer them, scream their names. And years later, they’ll tell how they stood in the rain for hours just to get a glimpse of the one who taught them to hold on a second longer.” – Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018)
“You can’t start a revolution from a bathtub.” – We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists (2012)
“Dreams don’t pay the bills.” – Jiro Dreams of Sushi (2011)
“The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” – Oceans (2009)
“The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” – Samsara (2011)
“The only way to tell the truth is to make it the truth.” – Making a Murderer (2015)
“The universe is under no obligation to make sense to you.” – Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey (2014)
“There is no better designer than nature.” – Life (2009)
“You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backward.” – Steve Jobs: The Lost Interview (2012)
“The measure of a civilization is how it treats its weakest members.” – Waiting for Superman (2010)
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” – 180° South (2010)
“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – 180° South (2010)
“Hope is the thing with feathers.” – Blackfish (2013)
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” – Eyes on the Prize (1987)
“I’m not afraid of dying. I’m afraid I haven’t been alive enough.” – Samsara (2011)
“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” – Winged Migration (2001)
“It’s not the destination that matters, it’s the journey.” – 180° South (2010)
“The only source of knowledge is experience.” – Helvetica (2007)
Recommended Documentary films
Here are some highly acclaimed documentary films across various genres that offer insightful storytelling, thought-provoking themes, and captivating visuals:
13th (2016) – Directed by Ava DuVernay, this documentary explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States, focusing on the legacy of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? (2018) – Directed by Morgan Neville, this documentary celebrates the life and legacy of Fred Rogers, the beloved host of the children’s television program “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” and explores his impact on generations of viewers.
The Act of Killing (2012) – Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, this groundbreaking documentary challenges former Indonesian death squad leaders to reenact their real-life mass killings in whatever cinematic genres they wish, revealing the horrors of Indonesia’s past.
Blackfish (2013) – Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, this documentary investigates the captivity of orcas, particularly focusing on the story of Tilikum, a performing killer whale involved in the deaths of several people.
RBG (2018) – Directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, this documentary offers an intimate look at the life and career of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, exploring her groundbreaking work in women’s rights and gender equality.
The Fog of War (2003) – Directed by Errol Morris, this documentary features an extended interview with former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, reflecting on his role in key historical events, including the Vietnam War.
Citizenfour (2014) – Directed by Laura Poitras, this documentary follows journalist Glenn Greenwald and filmmaker Laura Poitras as they meet Edward Snowden in Hong Kong and uncover the shocking revelations about the NSA’s surveillance programs.
Man on Wire (2008) – Directed by James Marsh, this documentary chronicles Philippe Petit’s high-wire walk between the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in 1974, exploring the daring act of creativity and the pursuit of a dream.
Searching for Sugar Man (2012) – Directed by Malik Bendjelloul, this documentary follows two South African fans as they investigate the mysterious disappearance of American musician Rodriguez and uncover his unexpected legacy.
An Inconvenient Truth (2006) – Directed by Davis Guggenheim, this documentary features former Vice President Al Gore’s campaign to educate the public about the dangers of climate change and advocate for environmental action.
March of the Penguins (2005) – Directed by Luc Jacquet, this documentary follows the journey of emperor penguins in Antarctica as they march across the icy landscape to their breeding grounds, highlighting their remarkable survival instincts and parental dedication.
Amy (2015) – Directed by Asif Kapadia, this documentary offers an intimate portrait of British singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, exploring her talent, struggles with addiction, and tragic death at a young age.
Life Itself (2014) – Directed by Steve James, this documentary celebrates the life and career of film critic Roger Ebert, reflecting on his influence on cinema and his personal battles with illness.
Paris is Burning (1990) – Directed by Jennie Livingston, this documentary explores the vibrant subculture of New York City’s drag ball scene in the 1980s, highlighting the creativity, resilience, and challenges faced by its participants.
Hoop Dreams (1994) – Directed by Steve James, this documentary follows the lives of two African-American high school students in Chicago as they pursue their dreams of becoming professional basketball players, offering a poignant portrayal of race, class, and opportunity in America.
Documentaries encompass a vast array of subgenres, from biographical films exploring an individual’s life to investigative pieces tackling complex social issues. As you delve deeper into this genre, you’ll encounter vocabulary specific to each subgenre.
