Documentarism

Documentarism is a term used in media theory and the arts to describe an approach that foregrounds documentary evidence and the process of documentation as central to meaning. It refers to works that prioritize verifiable sources, archival materials, and transparent methods over purely fictional or invented content. While not a widely standardized term, documentarism is discussed as a methodological stance in film studies, literary criticism, and contemporary art, where creators assemble and present primary materials—such as footage, transcripts, records, or data—in a way that invites verification and interpretation on the basis of those materials.

Core principles include: emphasis on source material and provenance; explicit disclosure of selection criteria and editing decisions; ethical considerations about representation and consent; and a commitment to traceability, enabling audiences to follow the documentary chain from source to presentation. Documentarist works often employ minimal interpolation by the author, allowing the materials to carry interpretive weight while situating any analysis within the documented evidence.

Differences from realism or traditional documentary filmmaking lie in the explicit centrality of documentation itself as the organizing principle, rather than mere depiction of reality. In practice, documentarism appears in film essays that integrate archival clips with commentary, in literary nonfiction that structures narrative around primary documents, and in art installations that assemble and recontextualize historical records.

Critics warn that heavy reliance on documentation can overwhelm narrative clarity or impose a positivist reading of complex events; supporters argue it strengthens credibility and invites collaborative interpretation. See also documentary theory, archival practice, and open-data storytelling.