The Art of Documentary Filmmaking: Exploring the Different Types and Their Purpose

Documentary film is a non-fictional motion picture intended to document reality, primarily for the purposes of instruction, education or maintaining a historical record. Documentaries are often used as a medium for educating the public about current events, social issues, history, science, and other topics that require in-depth examination.
Documentary films can be categorized in several ways:
1. Observational documentaries : These films follow the lives of individuals or groups over a period of time, without any intervention or interference from the filmmakers. Examples include "Grey Gardens" and "The Up Series".
2. Expository documentaries : These films use voiceover narration and interviews to convey information about a specific topic or issue. Examples include "The Thin Blue Line" and "Blackfish".
3. Participatory documentaries : These films feature the filmmakers themselves as part of the story, often involving them in the events they are documenting. Examples include "The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst" and "Virunga".
4. Reflective documentaries : These films use personal narratives and subjective interpretation to explore a specific topic or issue. Examples include "The Act of Killing" and "The Look of Silence".
5. Performative documentaries : These films use reenactments, scripted scenes, and other forms of performance to tell their stories. Examples include "The Painted Bird" and "The Last of the Unjust".
Documentary filmmaking has become increasingly popular over the years, with many filmmakers using the medium to explore social justice issues, environmental concerns, and human rights abuses. The rise of digital technology has also made it easier for filmmakers to produce and distribute documentaries, leading to a proliferation of documentary films on various platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and YouTube.