Year: 2005
Type: dissertation
Abstract: For well over a century, non-fiction film has figured prominently in the public \nsphere as a powerful means of persuasion. This dissertation will explore the intersection \nof cultural texts and social change by investigating the history of contemporary activist \ndocumentary film. Using all the available means of persuasion and coercion at their \ndisposal, social movements have collectively developed a diverse set of tactics and \nstrategies to prompt social change, documentary films being one of the most understudied \ntexts. \nDocumentary films that reflect the interests of social movements are important \nbut to what end and in what rhetorical situation are these strategies most effective for \nsocial change? This study will not call into question the importance of cultural texts like \ndocumentary film but rather how constitutive cultural strategies constrain or aid the \ninstrumental goals of contemporary social movements. This project will explore the \ncommitments of early activist media, theories of social change, the second wave of \nactivist media and finally, the function of contemporary activist documentary. \nThere is much left to be studied about the relationship of activist cultural texts and \nsocial change. The manner in which activist documentary film is conceptualized in \ntheoretical literature or in film reviews, primarily qualifies the term “activist” with the \nintentions of the film maker and his or her ideological commitments outside of \nfilmmaking. There is, however, another tendency to label documentary film as “activist” \nbased on content. If the film mediates as political or moral controversy, the inclination is \nto label it “activist.” However, such labels are fruitless if the film does not actually \nintervene in a larger public space to create active political agents that will extend and \nexecute the political work initiated by documentary film. For the purposes of this study, it \nis not enough for documentary film to “be” activist; it must help in creating the space for \nactivism and invested in producing material and cultural change. This project will include \na multi-method approach that includes interviews with filmmakers and public officials, \nanalysis of the movie text, interviews and email surveys of members in activist \ncommunity organizations and analysis of historical materials.
Author: Angela J. Aguayo
Language: English
Subfield: Communication
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2156455271