A Study of the Cinematic Practice of Docu-Drama Films Produced by the Government Film Unit

Abstract

The Government Film Unit officially started its activities in September 1948. Its main objective was to produce documentaries on government affairs. Over the decades, several documentary films were also produced in the Docu-Drama genre. This category of Production also includes dramatised moments based on real information and real events. This study observes how the cinematic use of Docu-Drama films has been used to convey the message more effectively. For this study, only the Docu-Drama films produced by the Government Film Unit – Sri Lanka, till the year 2003 are considered. The Object of the study was identified to find out whether the cinematic approach is successful in mobilising factual information. For this study, half-length films are selected from the films currently preserved in the government film department's conservatory. From the preliminary studies, it was found that about 16 films can be considered from the films produced during the period of 1950-2003 as Docu-Dramas. The research question was identified as: Is the Docu–Drama style a successful technique in conveying the message of a documentary film? It is hypothesised that a Docu– Drama or documentary film with a dramatic format and cinematic format will give the audience a better understanding of its message. A few of these works were selected and watched by studying the sources to observe the use of cinema and its colours and lighting, editing techniques, use of dialogue & and sound, and Mise-en-scéne. Also, interviewing the producers is a method to be used to get this related information. Generally, these movies are watched nowadays by university students, researchers, etc., for academic purposes. A sample is selected from among them, and a questionnaire is sent in this regard, and data is expected to be collected.Docu-Drama films, Cinematic language, Sri Lankan documentary