This wide-ranging study traces the history of the documentary from the first Lumiere films to Michael Moore’s ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’. Chanan argues that documentary makes a vital contribution to the public sphere – where ideas are debated, opinion formed and those in authority are held to account.

This wide-ranging study traces the history of the documentary from the first Lumiere films to Michael Moore’s ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’. Chanan argues that documentary makes a vital contribution to the public sphere – where ideas are debated, opinion formed and those in authority are held to account.