Documentary Meaning

UK /ˌdɒkjʊˈmɛntəri/
US /ˌdɑːkjuˈmɛnteri/
Word Definition
documentary meaning

Documentary Definition & Usage

noun

A non-fiction film or television program that provides a factual report on a particular subject.

Examples

  • "The documentary about climate change made a big impact on the audience."
  • "She watched a documentary on the history of the Berlin Wall last night."
  • "His latest documentary explores the lives of refugees fleeing war zones."
  • "The BBC produced a documentary series on the wonders of the natural world."
  • "They released a documentary about the civil rights movement in America."
adjective

Relating to or characteristic of a documentary, especially in terms of style or approach.

Examples

  • "The documentary style of filmmaking is often more raw and unpolished."
  • "He adopted a documentary approach to his photojournalism work."
  • "Her book had a documentary quality, capturing real-life events in vivid detail."
  • "The documentary-style show offered an inside look into the daily lives of scientists."
  • "They captured the documentary footage without scripting or rehearsing the scenes."

Cultural Context

Documentaries have been a staple of television and film since the early 20th century. Originally seen as educational tools, they have evolved to cover a wide range of topics including politics, history, social issues, and entertainment. Documentaries are known for their ability to raise awareness, challenge societal norms, and document important historical events.

The Filmmaker's Journey

Story

The Filmmaker's Journey

Mia was always passionate about storytelling. As a child, she would listen to her grandmother's tales about the old country. But as she grew older, Mia wanted to tell stories that could make a difference. That’s when she decided to pursue a career in documentary filmmaking. Her first big project was on the lives of immigrant families in the city. Mia wanted to capture the raw, unfiltered experiences of people navigating new lives in a foreign land. It wasn’t easy. The families she interviewed were hesitant at first, but her documentary approach — quiet, respectful, and unobtrusive — soon put them at ease. Months later, the project was ready. The final cut was a masterpiece of documentary filmmaking. It wasn’t just about the struggles of the immigrants; it was about their dreams, their resilience, and their hopes for a better future. When the film was screened, the audience was moved to tears. However, Mia didn’t stop there. She wanted to take a more investigative angle on the issue of human trafficking in the region. This time, she adopted a documentary style that was more daring, digging into hidden corners of the city where the authorities rarely went. The documentary revealed shocking truths, and Mia's work soon garnered national attention. Mia’s documentaries weren’t just about telling stories; they were about creating change. The impact of her work resonated long after the films had finished running. Mia had found her calling in the world of documentary filmmaking — a world where every story mattered, every truth was worth discovering, and every person’s voice was heard.

The Filmmaker's Journey