verite

Vérité, from the French vérité meaning "truth," is a term used in several contexts, most prominently in documentary film theory. It denotes a search for authentic representation of real life, often through techniques intended to minimize the filmmaker’s mediation.

In cinema, cinéma vérité (French for "truthful cinema" or "cinema of truth") describes a documentary approach that aims to reveal real events with immediacy and spontaneity. Originating in France in the late 1950s and 1960s, it is closely associated with filmmakers such as Jean Rouch and the use of portable equipment, natural lighting, and longer takes. The method emphasizes interaction with subjects and the observation of everyday life, rather than a heavily scripted narration. The goal is to present phenomena that feel unmediated, while still recognizing that editing and filming choices inevitably shape perception.

Cinema vérité is often contrasted with Direct Cinema, its American counterpart, though both share an emphasis on unobtrusive observation and technical simplicity. In practice, cinéma vérité can involve the filmmaker guiding situations through questions or interventions, which has led to discussions about the line between observation and construction of truth.

Notable works associated with the movement include Chronique d’un été (Chronicle of a Summer) (1961) by Jean Rouch and Édgar Morin, a landmark in which real conversations and improvisation were recorded to reveal social realities of daily life. The term Vérité remains a touchstone for debates about documentary truth, acknowledging that no representation is entirely objective and that context, method, and editing influence what is perceived as truth.