Docufiction (or docu-fiction) is the cinematographic combination of
documentary and
fiction, this term often meaning
narrative film. It is a
film genre[1] which attempts to capture reality such as it is (as
direct cinema or
cinéma vérité) and which simultaneously introduces unreal elements or fictional situations in
narrative in order to strengthen the representation of reality using some kind of
artistic expression.[2]
More precisely, it is a documentary mixed with fictional elements,[3] in
real time, filmed when the events take place, and in which the main
character or characters—often portrayed by non-professional or amateur actors—are essentially playing themselves, or slightly fictionalized versions of themselves, in a fictionalized scenario. In this sense, docufiction may overlap to an extent with some aspects of the
mockumentary format, but the terms are not synonymous.
The
neologism docufiction[4] appeared at the beginning of the 21st century. It is now commonly used in several languages and widely accepted for classification by international film festivals.[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Origins
The term involves a way of making films already practiced by such authors as
Robert Flaherty, one of the fathers of documentary,[14][15] and
Jean Rouch, later in the 20th century.
In the domain of
visual anthropology, the innovating role of Jean Rouch[25] allows one to consider him as the father of a subgenre called
ethnofiction.[26][27] This term means:
ethnographic documentary film with natives who play fictional roles. Making them play a role about themselves will help portray reality, which[28] will be reinforced with
imagery. A non-ethnographic
documentary with fictional elements uses the same method and, for the same reasons, may be called docufiction.
Docudrama and mockumentary
In contrast,
docudrama is usually a dramatized recreation of factual events in form of a documentary, at a time subsequent to the "real" events it portrays.[29] While docudrama can be confused with docufiction, "docudrama" refers specifically to film or other television recreations that dramatize certain events, often with actors. [citation needed]
A
mockumentary is also a film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format, sometimes a recreation of factual events after they took place or a comment on
current events, typically satirical, comedic or even dramatic.[30] Whereas mockumentaries are usually fully scripted comedies or dramas that merely adopt some aspects of documentary format as a framing device, docufictions are usually not scripted, instead placing the participants in a fictionalized scenario while portraying their own genuine reactions and their own
improvisational dialogue and character development.
^Jean Rouch and the Genesis of Ethnofiction, thesis by Brian Quist, Long Island University
^"Ethnofiction: drama as a creative research practice in ethnographic film." Journal of Media Practice 9, no. 3(2008), eScholarID:1b5648, article by Johannes Sjöberg
^A television programme or film which takes the form of a serious documentary in order to satirize its subject. – definition at The Free Dictionary and Dictionary.com
^Note, however, that Flaherty's earlier film,
Nanook of the North from 1922, incorporates many docufiction elements, including the "casting" of locals into fictitious "roles" and family relationships, as well as anachronistic hunting scenes
(in English) Rosenthal, Alan (199). Why Docudrama? : Fact-Fiction on Film and TV. Carbondale & Edwardsville: Southern Illinois Press.
ISBN978-0-8093-2186-5.
(in English) Lipkin, Steven N., ed. (2002). Real Emotional Logic. Film and Television Docudrama As Persuasive Practice. Carbondale: Southern Illinois Press.
ISBN978-0-8093-2409-5.