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The Peters Projection Map
About VIAfilm | Capability | Independent documentary production | What is a social documentary?
What is a social documentary? 16 May 2006

 Social documentary films highlight the points-of-view, culture, traditions, beliefs and the contemporary circumstances of the people who are the subject of the film.

Production relies on understanding the perspectives of the subject. Communities and individuals play an important role in contributing to the making of the film. Our films can use local stories and modes of representation as their starting point.

Social documentary films are not didactic, but allow the articulation of a range of perspectives and experiences. These films may look at aspects of two different cultures coming into contact, for example where economic development from the globalising world brings change to a traditional community.

This style of film making also respects the viewer. Such films allow the viewer the chance to participate in the thrill of discovering something they may have never seen before, in ways they may never have thought of.

Consistent with this approach, the role of the film maker, their interactions with the subjects and how they realise the film, may also be an integral part of the film.

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