History of Ethnographic Film - Pt 1: Definitions and History

What is an ethnographic film? Would you ever want to watch one? You will after watching this video, where anthropologist Robert Lemelson tracks the history of anthropology’s debatably most underrated and misunderstood subfield. As you learn more about the past and present of visual anthropology, you’ll see clips from classic works of ethnographic film and documentary including Nanook of the North, Trance and Dance in Bali, and The Ax Fight. You’ll also meet some of the most influential early filmmakers in the field such as Zora Neale Hurston, Jean Rouch, John Marshall, Robert Gardner, and Tim Asch.

Watch the full episode:

Resources:

Banks, M. and Ruby, J. (2011) Made to be Seen: Perspectives on the History of Visual Anthropology. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.

Emory University. (2026) Introduction to Ethnographic Cinema Research Guide.

Heider, K.G. (2006) Ethnographic Film: Revised Edition. Texas: University of Texas Press.

Ruby, J. (2000) Picturing Culture: Exploration of Film and Anthropology. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press.