Investigating the influence of books on expanding the thoughts and reflection of documentary filmmakers

According to the Iran Book News Agency (IBNA), two books titled “Rethinking Documentary Cinema: New Perspectives, New Methods” by Thomas Austin and Wilma de Jong, translated by Mohammad Hossein Tamjidi, and “Scene Creation in Documentary Cinema” by Maxine Trump, translated by Majid Kianian, were introduced at a ceremony organized by the Documentary, Experimental, and Animation Film Center to unveil its latest publications. The event took place today, Thursday, December 11th, at Mellat Cineplex, coinciding with the 19th Cinema Vérité International Documentary Film Festival.

The invisible impact of the university space on documentary filmmakers

Ramteen Shahbazi, the event host, invited Mohammad Hamidi-Moqaddam, the secretary of the 19th festival, to speak. Hamidi-Moqaddam emphasized the importance of book production and targeted studies in documentary cinema, stating: “The world of documentaries has expanded beyond education. The university environment has an invisible impact on documentary filmmakers. Although practical work is much more important than theoretical discussions, these theoretical discussions later provide completely subtle and imperceptible help to filmmakers.”

Hamidi-Moqaddam continued: “Books are very effective in expanding the thought and reflection of documentary filmmakers. Today, we see many students who studied technical and engineering fields turning to documentary filmmaking, and working in this field requires study.”

Narration in documentary cinema is one of the most affected activities in international cinema

He added: “Book authorship and publication had decreased in recent years at the Documentary, Experimental, and Animation Film Center, but fortunately, we were able to present two books this year. ‘Rethinking Documentary Cinema’ and ‘Scene Creation in Documentary Cinema’ have been highly praised and are a gift from the center to students, motivated young people, and experienced filmmakers.”

The secretary of the 19th Cinema Vérité Festival said: “Narration in documentary cinema is one of the most affected and active fields in international cinema. However, in discussing the pathologies of documentary cinema, it must be said that narration, if not cohesive, has flaws, and reading more books like these helps with more precise narrative cohesion.”

Publishing books enhances the feeling of study in the documentary world

In another part of the ceremony, Masoud Soflaei, Deputy of Art, Experimentation, and Animation at the Documentary, Experimental, and Animation Film Center, spoke about the two books: “The publication of these two books was one of this year’s excellent developments for the center and the documentary world. I am very grateful for Mr. Hamidi-Moqaddam’s perspective and the environment he created for the authorship and publication of these two books.”

The university lecturer said about “Rethinking Documentary Cinema”: “This book is a new edition of a book published years ago, but this year it has been produced with the collaboration and high meticulousness of Mr. Tamjidi. The new edition of the book is completely suitable for students.”

Regarding “Scene Creation in Documentary Cinema,” he stated: “The authorship and publication of this book were completed with great speed and accuracy. The publication of this book increases the desire to study in the documentary world, and while providing theoretical points, it can offer practical ideas to a purposeful filmmaker. In this book, we see a new approach to layers of the documentary world that presents a new narrative method.”

Soflaei added: “In such a case, reading ‘Scene Creation in Documentary Cinema’ gives a new experience to the world of documentary filmmakers. Fortunately, this book and ‘Rethinking Documentary Cinema’ have been published and are available for purchase for enthusiasts and concerned individuals at the booths located on the grounds of the Cinema Vérité Festival.”

Knowledge must always be considered in the country

Following this, Bahman Namvar Motlaq, a university professor, addressed how books help documentary filmmakers, stating: “Two books are too few for such an event, and at least 20 books should have been unveiled here. It must be said that knowledge is important above all else. In ancient Iran, the importance of knowledge was also mentioned, and such an issue shows that the importance of knowledge has always been considered in our country.”

The university lecturer added: “But unfortunately, our knowledge has disappeared, while becoming knowledgeable and striving to remain knowledgeable has been a goal for many years. One of the important ways to acquire knowledge is studying and paying attention to books. Therefore, if there is a problem, it stems from a lack of knowledge.”

He continued: “In any case, the production and publication of two books are insufficient, and I hope more productions take place in this field, and a significant part of the festival should be strong research works. In fact, ‘Scene Creation in Documentary Cinema’ is not a uniform book and contains diverse information and achievements that are practical and significantly help directors and cinematographers in documentary cinema. The author takes a schematic view in this book.”

Little attention is paid to the form of work in today’s cinema

Majid Kianian, translator of “Scene Creation in Documentary Cinema,” spoke about the book: “One of the most enjoyable parts of translating a book for a translator, beyond material incentives, is the moment when the book receives attention from the audience and is read. In fact, when a translator takes on the responsibility of translating a book, they must pay attention to what group and what audience segment they are translating it for; such attention doubles the book’s effectiveness.”

He added: “In today’s cinema, little attention is paid to the form of the work. Especially in universities, where the concept of form in the field of fictional and documentary cinema has not been established as it should be. All these issues motivated me to translate this book. One of the interesting features of this book is that the author is a university lecturer and filmmaker, and his book is like a class that teaches students.”

Reading “Rethinking Documentary Cinema” is suitable for starting a professional path

Mohammad Hossein Tamjidi, translator of “Rethinking Documentary Cinema,” discussed the book’s focus on rethinking documentary cinema. He said: “This book was published a few years ago and then its publication was stopped for some reasons. Today, we see that with the cooperation of the Documentary, Experimental, and Animation Film Center, this book has been reprinted.”

He added: “The book ‘Rethinking Documentary Cinema’ represents three and a half years of my life; its reprinting has not brought me financial gain, and what keeps me active in this field is my motivation to raise awareness in this area.”

Tamjidi continued: “Reading this book is highly recommended for anyone who intends to start a professional career in documentary cinema. This book has characteristics that make its study useful for future generations as well.”

At the end of the ceremony, the managers and guests present signed the book poster.

The 19th International Cinema Vérité Festival, directed by Mohammad Hamidi-Moqaddam, is taking place from December 10th to 16th at Mellat Cineplex.