In this blog, Steyerl discusses the transformation of documentary images in the digital age. She argues that there was a time when people believed that what they saw in documentaries was a clear and accurate reflection of reality. However, she believes that the“unbroken belief” of the documentary form has been challenged. “The uncertainty that documentary truth provokes is a central component of a general incertitude that is becoming stronger and stronger”(Steyerl). Nowadays, people are more unsure about whether what they see in documentaries is completely true, which are less clear and more abstract, making it harder to trust that they show reality as it is.
As for the relationship between truth and fiction, there is a complex interplay between the two in the context of documentary films and movies based on true stories. Truth informs fiction in a way filmmakers create based on real events, people, and stories for their narratives. Compared to reality, fiction tends to keep the essence of the truth or history while engaging in artistic interpretation and storytelling.
For the reality, fiction informs it when artistic interpretations and narratives of films and literature influence our perception and understanding of historical events or real-world issues. What’s more, it may affect the perspectives that people see in their own lives and their lifestyles. For example, many people record their daily life or travel by making vlogs in the style of The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Moreover, the passage highlights the paradox of authenticity and truth in modern media. Steyerl points out that contemporary documentary forms often evoke an aura of authenticity even when they do not objectively reflect reality due to their “lack of focus and uncertainty”, which makes them feel real despite their abstract nature.
What’s more, these documentary forms create an intimate sense with distant events while not allowing the audience to truly participate in them. The uncertainty surrounding documentary truth is seen as a significant factor in contemporary society. This uncertainty leads to various consequences and reflects the general uncertainty that is becoming more pronounced in today’s world.
The importance of authenticity in my life is that access to accurate and reliable information enables individuals to make informed decisions in several aspects of their lives. Distorted information can result in wrong choices, like when I examine online product images to determine my purchase preferences. On a social level, when the media distorts or spreads false information, it can exacerbate divisions and polarize society.
In the Live broadcasting context, it provides the audience with a unique opportunity to receive information as it happens in real-time with a high level of authenticity. This means that when an event is being broadcast live, viewers are witnessing it concurrently and even engaging in it, rather than a pre-recorded or edited version.