Silent Documentaries Series

While the earliest films were simple shots of real life as it happened, bringing images of faraway places and actions to the masses, the term “documentary” was not coined until 1926. Early forms of this new genre often used staged or re-created action to propel the narrative and reflect the director’s vision. This program explores the elusive nature of documentary films in the silent period, including a surrealist look at a remote region of Spain, an atypical travelogue of the southern coast of France, and two city symphonies, one of Berlin and one of New York City.