purpose of a large number of films from various sub-genres, de Bromhead argues that in terms of narrative, emotional power, discourse/knowledge, experience for the spectator, moral implications, and ‘film reading’, the documentary genre may provide the viewer with just as much filmic satisfaction - if not ´filmic pleasure´ - as many fiction films do.

Among the many films discussed are such classics as Nanook of the North, Chronique d’un eté, Drifters, Citizen Kane, Casablanca, and Song of Ceylon.