Beyond Document: Essays on Nonfiction Film
Though made up of academic essays, a majority of which were originally presented at Harvard, this interesting anthology has a special literary tone, owing to the inclusion of works by several poets, novelists, and one filmmaker. After an introduction that outlines a history of the genre reflecting the broadest possible definition of nonfiction film, most of the writers discuss the distinction between fact and fiction. There are essays on Holocaust films, ethnographic films, docudramas, film essays, memoirs, and films by women. Filmmakers repeatedly admired include Chris Marker, Ross McElwee, Maya Deren, Susan Makaveyev, and Dziga Vertov. These essays often describe films not generally available, but some, like Roger and Me, have received wide distribution, and the genre itself received great attention with last year's Hoop Dreams. In any case, the book covers in accessible prose a wider than usual number of complex film topics and is therefore recommended for the informed lay reader.?Jane Sloan, Rutgers Univ. Libs., New Brunswick, N.J.Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.