dokumentave

Dokumentave is a term used in media studies and archiving to describe a method and genre of documentary practice that foregrounds documentary evidence as the central object of analysis. In dokumentave productions, the narrative is built primarily from primary documents—letters, official records, reports, diaries, and other archival materials—whose provenance is documented and whose authenticity is examined by the producers and researchers. The approach emphasizes transparency about sources, critical annotation, and reproducibility of the evidentiary trail, enabling viewers to trace conclusions back to original materials.

The concept emerged in scholarly discussions in the early 21st century as digital archives expanded and the volume of online documents increased. Proponents argue that dokumentave counteracts often narrative-driven documentary forms by requiring explicit source citation, contextualization of documents, and acknowledgment of gaps or biases in the material.

In practice, dokumentave informs editing, scripting, and presentation choices. Narration may be minimized or used to guide interpretation, while on-screen documents are curated with metadata, transcription, and cross-referencing. Digitization, digital preservation, and cross-archive collaborations are common features. Critics note potential risks, including overemphasis on documentary provenance at the expense of storytelling sensitivity or ethical concerns regarding private materials.

Overall, dokumentave represents a source-centered strand within documentary and archival media, aiming to elevate evidentiary rigor and audience engagement with primary materials.