All articles about Documentary

Features

Smashing the goldfish bowl: how the Grierson sisters helped pioneer British documentary

Although overshadowed by their famous brother John – the ‘father of British documentary’ – Ruby and Marion Grierson deserve recognition for their own pioneering innovations in documentary filmmaking.

By Ros Cranston

Smashing the goldfish bowl: how the Grierson sisters helped pioneer British documentary

Obituaries

Marcel Ophuls obituary: veteran documentary-maker behind the monumental The Sorrow and the Pity

By Nick James

Marcel Ophuls obituary: veteran documentary-maker behind the monumental The Sorrow and the Pity

Lists

Mental Health Awareness Week: 10 films showing the evolution of mental healthcare in the UK

By Patrick Russell and Jez Stewart

Mental Health Awareness Week: 10 films showing the evolution of mental healthcare in the UK

The NHS at 75

From trans health to children’s palliative care: how three new short films tell untold stories of the NHS

By Xavier Alexandre Pillai

From trans health to children’s palliative care: how three new short films tell untold stories of the NHS

Interviews

“We live in the age of cement and sugar”: Victor Kossakovsky on Architecton, his gargantuan vision of rock and ruin

By Nick Bradshaw

“We live in the age of cement and sugar”: Victor Kossakovsky on Architecton, his gargantuan vision of rock and ruin

Interviews

The Taste of Mango: “As the process of making the film went on, my anger turned into love and empathy”

By Rógan Graham

The Taste of Mango: “As the process of making the film went on, my anger turned into love and empathy”

Lists

A short history of British propaganda... in 10 films

By Scott Anthony

A short history of British propaganda... in 10 films

Interviews

Mark Cousins on his portrait of a neglected painter: “Once you’re infected by an artist’s work, it’s timeless”

By Georgia Korossi

Mark Cousins on his portrait of a neglected painter: “Once you’re infected by an artist’s work, it’s timeless”

News

Victor Kossakovsky’s Berlin Film Festival prize nominee Architecton to be released by BFI Distribution in January 2025

Interviews

”There was no Twitter back then to post what happened on the picket line”: how a new film tells the story of the Battle of Orgreave

By Georgia Korossi

”There was no Twitter back then to post what happened on the picket line”: how a new film tells the story of the Battle of Orgreave

Interviews

My film with Werner Herzog: “He’s a very nice guy who’s interested in soccer and barbecue”

By Brogan Morris

My film with Werner Herzog: “He’s a very nice guy who’s interested in soccer and barbecue”

The NHS at 75

How a 1965 documentary captured changing ideas about mental health

By Rebecca Vick

How a 1965 documentary captured changing ideas about mental health

The NHS at 75

“Unless you’re Adam Curtis, the pictures have to fit the words”: talking to NHS England’s in-house filmmaker, Thomas Randall

By Patrick Russell

“Unless you’re Adam Curtis, the pictures have to fit the words”: talking to NHS England’s in-house filmmaker, Thomas Randall

The NHS at 75

Behind the curtain on the modern public health film: “They’re rooted in the power of storytelling to help people walk in others’ shoes”

By Patrick Russell

Behind the curtain on the modern public health film: “They’re rooted in the power of storytelling to help people walk in others’ shoes”

The NHS at 75

Nurses on film: a story of unequal representation

By Xavier Alexandre Pillai

Nurses on film: a story of unequal representation

Interviews

How we made Name Me Lawand, the immersive documentary about deafness and communication

By Georgia Korossi

How we made Name Me Lawand, the immersive documentary about deafness and communication

Features

Breaking the goldfish bowl: Britain’s women documentary makers

By Ros Cranston

Breaking the goldfish bowl: Britain’s women documentary makers

Features

Shackleton and South: the journey back to sub-zero

By Bryony Dixon

Shackleton and South: the journey back to sub-zero

10 great

10 great Japanese documentaries

By Matt Turner

10 great Japanese documentaries

Features

The first anti-smoking films: how a nation started to quit

By Ros Cranston and Patrick Russell

The first anti-smoking films: how a nation started to quit

Where to begin

Where to begin with Humphrey Jennings

By David Parkinson

Where to begin with Humphrey Jennings

Where to begin

Where to begin with British Transport Films

By David Parkinson

Where to begin with British Transport Films

10 great

10 great LGBTQIA+ documentaries

By Alex Davidson

10 great LGBTQIA+ documentaries

Interviews

“When Emmanuel Lubezki saw Aquarela, he sent me his hat” – Victor Kossakovsky on his colossal ode to water

By Matthew Thrift

“When Emmanuel Lubezki saw Aquarela, he sent me his hat” – Victor Kossakovsky on his colossal ode to water

Features

Exploring India on Film, 1899-1947

By Robin Baker

Exploring India on Film, 1899-1947

News

Socially conscious films triumph at the EVCOM Screen Awards 2017

By Patrick Russell

Socially conscious films triumph at the EVCOM Screen Awards 2017

10 great

10 great documentaries about iconic musicians

By Ashley Clark, Georgia Korossi and others

10 great documentaries about iconic musicians

Interviews

Memories from the mine: the day I filmed Paul Robeson

By Patrick Russell

Memories from the mine: the day I filmed Paul Robeson

10 great

10 great modern British documentaries directed by women

By Ros Cranston and Katy McGahan

10 great modern British documentaries directed by women

10 great

10 great epic documentaries

By Michael Pattison

10 great epic documentaries