Avant-Documentary

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

This course delves into the rich and dynamic field of experimental documentary, exploring how filmmakers push the boundaries of nonfiction storytelling. Through a combination of screenings, readings, discussions, and creative projects, students will investigate how a body of documentary films has challenged conventional narrative structures and aesthetic norms, and how experimental films have utilized real-world source material to explore and expand their aesthetic concerns. We will examine a diverse array of experimental documentaries that employ innovative techniques such as reenactments, animation, abstract imagery, unconventional editing, and hybrid forms that blur the lines between reality and fiction. We will also explore various film forms including city symphonies, essay films, compilation films, and autobiographical films, among others. Key themes include the exploration of subjective versus objective truth, the role of the filmmaker as an artist and activist, the impact of experimental forms on viewer perception and emotional response, and the ethical considerations that come with the creative treatment of actuality. In addition to historical and theoretical analysis, students will have the opportunity to create their own short experimental documentaries, applying the concepts and techniques discussed in class to their projects. This hands-on component will encourage students to experiment with form and content, fostering a deeper understanding of the creative possibilities within documentary filmmaking. Special filmmaker guests will be included.