What is a Documentary Really?

From the Lumière brothers' staged factory workers to Robert Flaherty's romanticized Arctic adventures, Thatch weaves together over a century of documentary history with his signature blend of scholarly precision and theatrical flair. This deep dive examines the fundamental paradox at documentary's heart: every film claiming to capture "truth" is simultaneously an exercise in manipulation and artistry. Thatch guides listeners through the evolution from simple newsreels to sophisticated cinéma vérité, exploring how filmmakers have grappled with questions of objectivity, bias, and the impossible goal of presenting unmediated reality. "What is a documentary?" has no simple answer—and why that uncertainty is actually the medium's greatest strength. This episode will forever change how you watch non-fiction films, making you a more thoughtful and critical consumer of documentary content in our age of information overload. Discover more captivating podcasts and immersive storytelling experiences that will expand your mind and challenge your perspectives at https://www.quietperiodplease.com/

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