Documentary.

After the discussion in class a few weeks ago, I am a little hesitant to apply a definition to "Documentary". It seems that there is so much bleed over between non-documentary films and documentaries that to set them apart from each other with a narrow definition is somewhat trivial. For instance, I searched freedictionary.com for a definition of documentary, and here is what I found: "Presenting facts objectively without editorializing or inserting fictional matter, as in a book or film". There are at least two problems with this definition. First of all, a documentaries loyalty to true, objective facts is subjective in its nature. My take on a factual event may be different from someones else's take on the event. The two displays of "factual events" set against one will definitely differ in some ways. Secondly, are there not some films that do not fall under the "documentary" umbrella that present facts objectively without editorializing or inserting fictional matter? Definitely. In short, that definition doesn't suffice.

With that said, I have come up with a brief definition for "documentary" that I think sets it slightly apart from "film". The definition is this: a progression of images and sounds that take a stand on an issue and work as visual argument. (slightly changed from Hampe pg 4). Other films can be this, but I might argue that that film is a documentary. The definition might be vague, but I think it suits its purpose. What sets a documentary apart from other film is its intent to act as an argumentative media. A blockbuster film about Batman has a different premise and intent than a Michael Moore documentary. The former is to entertain and maybe to show the fight between good and evil, whereas the latter is to stir up controversy and to argue a side of the story. Both might entertain and both might engage. Most of the time, documentaries differ from other films because of their intent to persuade and argue, hence the definition. I expect that this definition won't but it, but it's worth a shot.