To Tell the Truth: A History of Documentary Film (1928-1946)

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Q&A w/ directors David Van Taylor & Cal Skaggs!

Documentaries offer a unique encounter between art and actuality. Yet the genre is perpetually misunderstood: its artistry neglected, its truthfulness suspected, its real-world impact overlooked. Veteran doc makers Cal Skaggs and David Van Taylor have spent nearly a decade interviewing documentary pioneers for a multi-part history of the field. In this 2-hour section, we see the invention of the social documentary in reaction to the Great Depression and the bending of the form toward propaganda during World War II.

“For those doubting the power of documentaries to have a social impact, TO TELL THE TRUTH should give them an idea.” – Andy Webster, New York Times

• Country USA
• Rating NR
• Running Time 112 minutes
• Director Cal Skaggs & David Van Taylor

IFC Center does not generally provide advisories about subject matter or potentially triggering content in films, as sensitivities vary from person to person. In addition to the synopses, trailers and other links on our website, further information about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches.