A quick guide to 'Types of documentaries'.

This by no means is an exhaustive list of types of documentaries and non-fiction films. This is a short and quick list for those who want to brush up on the most common terms again.

TYPES OF DOCUMENTARIES:

#1 - Expository Documentaries

provide a comprehensive view, often using a ‘voice of God’ narration to guide the audience through the narrative. The filmmaker remains unseen, orchestrating the flow of information like a maestro from behind the scenes.

#2 - Poetic Documentaries

such as Joris Ivens’ “Rain,” embrace the visual over the verbal. With minimal narration, these films craft a lyrical ode to their subjects, allowing the imagery to speak directly to the soul.

#3 - Essayistic Documentaries

blend the personal touch of an essay with the visual medium of film. The filmmaker’s voice, both literal and figurative, weaves through the visuals, creating a tapestry that’s as poetic as it is persuasive.

#4 - Observational Documentaries

strive for authenticity, capturing life as it unfolds. Unobtrusive and often without commentary, they offer a window into reality, akin to Direct Cinema, where the camera is a silent witness to truth.

#5 - Direct Cinema

as envisioned by Albert and David Maysles, advocates for the filmmaker as an invisible, passive presence, allowing the story to unfold organically without intervention.

#6 - Actualities

present unfiltered slices of life, raw and unedited, capturing the world in its unvarnished form.

#7 - Cinema Vérité

pioneered by Jean Rouch, champions the filmmaker’s role as a subjective observer, blending observational and participatory elements to present a multifaceted truth.

#8 - Participatory Documentaries (Not all participatory documentaries are Cinema Verite but Films of Cinema Verite are a participatory documentaries)

invite the filmmaker into the frame, transforming them from observer to active player. This approach, seen in works like “Chronicles of a Summer,” fosters a dynamic interaction between the subject and the creator.

#9 - Interview Films

distill the essence of dialogue, focusing on the exchange of ideas and emotions between interviewer and subject, often revealing profound truths within the conversation.

#10 - Performance Documentaries

record the artistry of live performances, from theater to concerts, preserving the ephemeral magic of these events for posterity.

#11 - Dramatizations (Part of Docu Drama or Docu Fiction)

breathe life into historical events or figures, using actors to transport viewers back in time, as seen in “A Sense of Wonder,” which vividly portrays environmentalist Rachel Carson.

#12 -Docu-dramas

delve into historical re-enactments, bringing past events to life through dramatization. They recreate scenarios that are impossible to capture in real-time. The essence of docu-drama lies in its fidelity to actual events, despite the necessary artistic license taken in their portrayal.

#13 - Docu-fiction

stands out as a genre that artfully blends reality with creative storytelling. It captures genuine moments and weaves in fictional elements to enhance the narrative without altering the core truth. These fictional components are carefully chosen to amplify the message, not to distort it.

#14 - Mockumentaries

take a different route, presenting fictional events in the raw, unpolished feel of a documentary. They are fiction, presented in the style of non-fiction. Man bites Dog is a famous example of this genre. While Found Footage films share similarities with mockumentaries, they emulate a more personal ‘home-video’ aesthetic, yet both styles present fiction as though it were fact.

#15 - Mixed Genre Documentaries

 “Disco and Atomic War” defy categorization, weaving together various styles to create a multifaceted narrative that engages and enlightens.

#16 - Animated Documentaries

employ artistic interpretation to depict events, offering a perspective that transcends the limitations of live-action footage.

I will keep adding the examples for each types of documentaries in the comment section.