The document discusses the use of documentary films for propaganda purposes by different countries. It describes how countries like Great Britain, Germany, Russia, and Nazi Germany produced documentaries during times of war or political upheaval to promote their own viewpoint and portray the enemy in a negative light. Specific films mentioned include Triumph of the Will, Olympia, Nightmail, and films from John Grierson and Frank Capra's Why We Fight series. The document concludes by noting that propaganda is often only seen negatively when it belongs to an enemy view, while one's own nation's perspective tends to be viewed more sympathetically, and encourages the reader to detach from any national viewpoint.

1. Documentary as propaganda Countries and Propaganda

2. Recap What are City Symphonies? What is Kino Pravda? Can you remember any films? Who was John Grierson?

3. Same topic… Terminus (1961) John Scheslinger another train documentary Is the same as Nightmail (1936) ? Why? What methods of constuction are used here? What is the ideology at the time this film was made?

4. Great Britain and Germany Made newsreels of the enemy in a poor light Many GB audiences were convinced of the atrocities being carried out on ‘Poor Little Belgium’ - though rumour has it they were reconstructions!

5. Russians Used to promote the Soviet cause Educating people about the Russia Revolution Dziga Vertov was one - sent on many trains to film for the cause

6. Spain Films were blatently made towards the republican side for the Spanish Civil war due to who funded them. ‘ Found sound footage’ was used from a feature film called ‘San Francisco’, which they ran backwards to achieve the sound of bombing. The Spanish Earth funded by the Americans

7. The Nazi’s Nazi filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl - she said though that she was not a Nazi however??? (She had complete control over editing and production!) Triumph des Willes (1935) Olympische Spiele (Olympia) (1936)

8. Second World War More propagandistic Frank Capra (Hollywood film director) made Why we Fight series between 42-45. Robert Flaherty also helped. Boris Kaufman was a refugee to Canada and found himself making Grierson’s propaganda films in Canada. In Britain documentary was made under the ministry of Propaganda in the form of the Crown film unit. Central Office of information - they still today make drink driving ads and terrorist information leaflets.

9. When watching Propaganda is always perceived to belong to an enemy view. Where a nations own circumstances are viewed more sympathically. Detach nations POV and simply consider is the film made from a particular viewpoint, does it position the audience in that viewpoint and does it persuade?