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Introduction: Critically Distant

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Critical Distance in Documentary Media

Abstract

The introduction addresses the state of documentary studies in the 21st century and establishes the theoretical orientations for the collection. The editors argue that the present moment is one in which pressing challenges are best addressed through new formulations of ideas and practices within documentary media. The introduction contextualizes counter-narratives to dominant documentary media forms, practices, formats, and theories that the field of documentary studies has relied on while fashioning its scholarly and institutional identity. The editors consider the possible futures of documentary and make the case for expanding the purview of the field in light of historically neglected media and practices such as photography, installation art, and the plethora of theoretical and philosophical approaches at our disposal today such as the “new materialisms” that have forced a reconsideration of the human and its role on the planet. The last section of the introduction qualifies the term “critical,” which is followed by a chapter overview.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Gerda Cammaer, Blake Fitzpatrick & Bruno Lessard

  2. School of Image Arts, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Blake Fitzpatrick

Authors
  1. Gerda Cammaer
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  2. Blake Fitzpatrick
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  3. Bruno Lessard
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Bruno Lessard .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Gerda Cammaer

  2. Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Blake Fitzpatrick

  3. Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Bruno Lessard

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Cammaer, G., Fitzpatrick, B., Lessard, B. (2018). Introduction: Critically Distant. In: Cammaer, G., Fitzpatrick, B., Lessard, B. (eds) Critical Distance in Documentary Media. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96767-7_1

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