This study aims to explore the relationship between the cultural and intellectual frame of reference of the documentary director and the film's message, through analyzing the impact of the director's vision on the construction of the visual and narrative structure of documentary films. The study is based on the auteur theory, which regards the director as the primary creative force in the cinematic work, reflecting their personal vision and experience. A descriptive-analytical method is being used as a primary method, with content analysis and in-depth interviews. The research relies on Six Palestinian documentary films, and interviews with three directors from "The Free Lens" (Al-ʿAdasa al-Ḥurra) (as major sources). The research examines the influence of the directors' social and cultural backgrounds on their directorial choices and the extent to which these are reflected in the films' content. The study concludes by (affirming the role of the director's frame of reference in influencing) the selection of the film's subject, camera angles, and the adopted narrative techniques. The results also show that directors employ visual and narrative techniques that reflect their convictions and experiences, making the documentary a tool for personal expression rather than merely a neutral representation of reality. Therefore, documentary films constitute a subjective narrative construct that reshapes reality from the director's perspective.

Title

Journal of the Association of Arab Universities for Research in Higher Education (JAARU-RHE)

Publisher

Association of Arab Universities

Publisher Country

Jordan

Publication Type

Both (Printed and Online)

Volume

46

Year

2026

Pages

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