Ethnographic film

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An ethnographic film is a kind of documentary film related to the methods of ethnology. It became an important toll for research in the domain of visual anthropology. This expression refers to films about human groups in society

[edit] Origins

Robert Flaherty may be considered as the father of the ethnographic film. This genre flourished in France in the sixties due to the role of ethnographers as Marcel Griaule, Germaine Dieterlen and Jean Rouch . Light 16 mm cameras synchronized with light tape-recorders became an useful tool for research.

Rouch early refuses the dogma which says that, in research, the camera must stay out of the event, taking some distance, as simple observer. «Enfant-terrible», he decides to make the camera interfere, he himself takes place as an actor in the action and so becomes one of the pioneers of docufiction.

[edit] See also

• Visual anthropology
• Direct cinema

• Marcel Griaule
• Germaine Dieterlen
• Jean Rouch
• Tim Asch

[edit] Theory

• The Death of Ethnographic Film - Article by Jay Ruby
• The Promise of Etnographic Film – Article by Paul Hanlay
• The Emergence of Ethnographic Film Practice: Past Travels and Future Itineraries – Article by Prerana Reddy
• Duran Film Society