This book explores key themes in current documentary from a number of perspectives—social and political; digital technological and observational / reality. Framed by a substantial theoretical and historical introduction to documentary studies by the editors, the book then comprises a number of essays by practitioners, academics and academic-practitioners working in documentary in Ireland. The book charts key changes in Irish society over the past fifteen years as they relate to documentary practice and explores, through an array of diverse voices, whether documentary initiates and/or reflects these changes. The book situates documentary practice in the wider social, political and cultural context of recent Irish society.
This book gives a fascinating insight into the working life of documentary makers it captures the passion that drives them the commitment they make to their craft and the issues they tackle in defining what constitutes documentary indeed what constitutes good documentary. This book will be read avidly not just by those in the business of creating and producing documentary but by a wide public who have learnt so much about their own society and culture through cutting edge documentaries.
~Miriam O Callaghan RT Broadcaster
DOCUMENTARY FILM has the power to give us a new voice actor Stephen Rea told those attending a book launch in Dublin last night. Rea was speaking at the launch of Documentary in a Changing State: Ireland since the 1990s a book charting two decades of documentary making in Ireland. Dedicated to the late Mary Raftery who made influential documentaries such as States of Fear the book by Carol MacKeogh and D g O Connell of D n Laoghaire Institute of Art Design and Technology gives an insight into the working life of Ireland s independent documentary makers. Featuring interviews with documentary makers Alan Gilsenan Louis Lentin Donald Taylor Black and Ken Wardrop the book also looks at the documentary series Prime Time Investigates and Would You Believe. Addressing the audience at the United Arts Club which included members of Ms Raftery s family Rea said at a time when our political discourse has become so debased this is a book we need . . . we need a voice that s outside the political system but reflects our stories . DCU professor of communications Farrel Corcoran said documentary had the power to set the agenda for political debate .
~Joanne Hunt Irish Times
The book looks back at Ireland over the last twenty years and highlights some of the defining events in our social history in which documentaries have helped us to hold a collective mirror to ourselves. It is a powerful collection of articles that indicates a deepening awareness among film makers of the importance of critical reflection for us all as a society and willingness to courageously ask questions and carefully scrutinise emerging and often uncomfortable issues.
~Paul Tierney, The Irish Social Worker
