Cinema Verité and the Documentary Movement

The documentary film genre has a rich history that dates back to the early 20th century. One of the most significant movements within this genre is Cinema Verité, which emerged in the 1960s. Cinema Verité is a French term that translates to “truthful cinema,” and it is a style of filmmaking that emphasizes capturing reality as it happens, without any intervention or manipulation from the filmmaker.

The Cinema Verité movement was a response to the more traditional documentary filmmaking styles that were prevalent at the time. These traditional documentaries often relied on voiceovers, interviews, and reenactments to tell a story. In contrast, Cinema Verité filmmakers sought to capture the reality of their subjects without any interference.

One of the most famous examples of Cinema Verité filmmaking is the 1960 film “Primary” by Robert Drew. The film followed the 1960 Democratic primary campaign between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey. Instead of relying on interviews and voiceovers, Drew and his team followed the candidates around with handheld cameras, capturing their interactions with voters, staff, and each other. The result was a film that felt more like a fly-on-the-wall observation of the campaign than a traditional documentary.

Another significant figure in the Cinema Verité movement was D.A. Pennebaker, who directed the 1967 film “Don’t Look Back.” The film followed Bob Dylan during his 1965 tour of England and captured the musician’s interactions with fans, journalists, and fellow musicians. The film’s use of handheld cameras and natural lighting gave it a raw, unfiltered feel that was unlike anything that had been seen in documentaries before.

The Cinema Verité movement had a profound influence on the documentary genre, and its impact can still be felt today. Many modern documentaries, such as “Making a Murderer” and “Wild Wild Country,” use a Cinema Verité style of filmmaking to capture the reality of their subjects. This style of filmmaking has become synonymous with the documentary genre and has helped to elevate it to the respected art form that it is today.

In conclusion, the Cinema Verité movement was a significant development in the history of documentary filmmaking. It emphasized capturing reality as it happened, without any intervention or manipulation from the filmmaker. This style of filmmaking has had a lasting impact on the documentary genre and has helped to elevate it to the respected art form that it is today.