Verité

Vérité is a French noun meaning truth. It derives from Latin veritas via Old French. In modern French it is used in contexts ranging from everyday statements to philosophy and journalism. The term is widely recognized in English in the phrase cinéma vérité, referring to a documentary approach that seeks to reveal truth through naturalistic technique. The final e carries the acute accent, guiding pronunciation.

Cinéma vérité is a documentary filmmaking style that aims to capture real events with minimal manipulation. The term was popularized in the 1960s by French filmmaker Jean Rouch and philosopher Edgar Morin. Practitioners emphasize on-location shooting, natural light, small crews, and the presence of the camera as a witness. The style blurs lines between observation and intervention, and debates persist about objectivity and the role of the filmmaker in shaping "truth."

Beyond film, vérité denotes truth in philosophical and journalistic discourse. The concept intersects with theories of truth and veracity, influencing discussions of evidence, testimony, and representation in media, law, and culture. In popular usage, it remains a shorthand for authenticity and accuracy.