From Social Movements to Documentary: How Nonfiction Films in the US and UK Engage with and Reflect Social and Political Issues
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From Social Movements to Documentary: How Nonfiction Films in the US and UK Engage with and Reflect Social and Political Issues

Zhilin Guo 1*
1 University of Sheffield
*Corresponding author: prodest25@163.com
Published on 4 July 2025
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CHR Vol.71
ISSN (Print): 2753-7072
ISSN (Online): 2753-7064
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-203-4
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-204-1
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Abstract

In the era of digital media and global communication, documentary film has evolved from a medium for recording reality into a powerful tool for political expression and social mobilization. In the US and UK, political documentaries not only chronicle social events but also shape and public discourse, reflecting the close relationship between media and power. This paper explores how American nonfiction films intervene in sociopolitical issues through narrative structures, aesthetic strategies, and political functions. Using a qualitative approach that combines historical review, textual analysis, and comparative case studies, this study examines 13th and Fahrenheit 9/11 . Findings indicate that these films strategically create a sense of “presence” and emotional resonance through cinematography, editing, and visual style. They use voice-over narration, interviews, and archival footage to construct multiple perspectives and enhance political persuasiveness. Emotional mobilization emerges as a key technique for emerging audiences and fostering social action. Moreover, while streaming platforms have broadened the reach of political documentaries, they also introduce challenges such as “filter bubbles” and fragmented expression. This research contributes to understanding the agenda-setting role, ethical boundaries, and public function of political documentaries and suggests future research on non-Western contexts and emerging technologies.

Keywords:

Nonfiction Films, Political Documentary, Public Engagement

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Guo,Z. (2025). From Social Movements to Documentary: How Nonfiction Films in the US and UK Engage with and Reflect Social and Political Issues. Communications in Humanities Research,71,64-71.

References

[1]. Christensen, C. (2009) ‘Political documentary, online organization and activist synergies’, Studies in Documentary Film, 3(2), pp.  77–94.

[2]. Whiteman, D. (2004) ‘Out of the Theaters and Into the Streets: A Coalition Model of the Political Impact of Documentary Film and Video’, Political Communication, 21(1), pp.  51–69.

[3]. Canella, G. (2024) ‘Cinematic journalism: the political economy and “emotional truth” of documentary film’, Studies in Documentary Film, 18(1), pp.  69–83.

[4]. O’Connell, P.  J. (2010) Robert Drew and the Development of Cinema Verite in America. 1st ed. Carbondale, Ill. : Southern Illinois University Press.

[5]. Aufderheide, P. (2024) ‘Ethics in Documentary Film Production: Asserting and Changing Norms’, Journal of Film and Video, 76(1), pp.  15–31.

[6]. Isserow, J. (2020) ‘Retroactive subjectivity in documentary film’, Studies in Documentary Film, 14(2), pp.  99–113. doi: 10. 1080/17503280. 2019. 1633600.

[7]. Zafra, N. (2023) ‘From film to Web 2. 0: transmedia as a distribution model for political documentary’, Studies in Documentary Film, 17(2), pp.  172–189.

[8]. Zafra, N. (2020) ‘FRONTLINE: The nexus of political documentary and alternative journalism’, Pacific Journalism Review, 26(2).

[9]. Zhang, T. (2021) Audience Perceptions of Female Characters in Chinese Documentaries. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.

[10]. Garsuta, C. L. (2021) Virtual Reality: The Future of Nonfiction Media. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.

References

[1]. Christensen, C. (2009) ‘Political documentary, online organization and activist synergies’, Studies in Documentary Film, 3(2), pp.  77–94.

[2]. Whiteman, D. (2004) ‘Out of the Theaters and Into the Streets: A Coalition Model of the Political Impact of Documentary Film and Video’, Political Communication, 21(1), pp.  51–69.

[3]. Canella, G. (2024) ‘Cinematic journalism: the political economy and “emotional truth” of documentary film’, Studies in Documentary Film, 18(1), pp.  69–83.

[4]. O’Connell, P.  J. (2010) Robert Drew and the Development of Cinema Verite in America. 1st ed. Carbondale, Ill. : Southern Illinois University Press.

[5]. Aufderheide, P. (2024) ‘Ethics in Documentary Film Production: Asserting and Changing Norms’, Journal of Film and Video, 76(1), pp.  15–31.

[6]. Isserow, J. (2020) ‘Retroactive subjectivity in documentary film’, Studies in Documentary Film, 14(2), pp.  99–113. doi: 10. 1080/17503280. 2019. 1633600.

[7]. Zafra, N. (2023) ‘From film to Web 2. 0: transmedia as a distribution model for political documentary’, Studies in Documentary Film, 17(2), pp.  172–189.

[8]. Zafra, N. (2020) ‘FRONTLINE: The nexus of political documentary and alternative journalism’, Pacific Journalism Review, 26(2).

[9]. Zhang, T. (2021) Audience Perceptions of Female Characters in Chinese Documentaries. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.

[10]. Garsuta, C. L. (2021) Virtual Reality: The Future of Nonfiction Media. ProQuest Dissertations & Theses.

Cite this article

Guo,Z. (2025). From Social Movements to Documentary: How Nonfiction Films in the US and UK Engage with and Reflect Social and Political Issues. Communications in Humanities Research,71,64-71.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICLLCD 2025 Symposium: Enhancing Organizational Efficiency and Efficacy through Psychology and AI

ISBN: 978-1-80590-203-4(Print) / 978-1-80590-204-1(Online)
Editor: Rick Arrowood
Conference website: https://2025.icllcd.org/Boston.html
Conference date: 12 May 2025
Series: Communications in Humanities Research
Volume number: Vol.71
ISSN: 2753-7064(Print) / 2753-7072(Online)

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