SSA321 History of Anthropological Theory Portfolio on CD-Rom Candidate No st May 2003 In Alain Silver.docAlain Silver.doc

I have chosen to compile research information on Robert Flaherty (see slide 2), who was a pioneer in ethnographic film, and whose masterpiece, Nanook of the North,1922, is still the subject of debate in anthropology (MacDougall 1998: 103). The aim of this CD is to provide information on Flaherty (prior to 1922), and Nanook; the references by cited authors to other Flaherty films are not intended to be used in this context, as they are more recent than 1922, the so-called beginning of Structural-Functionalism and Modern British Anthropology. This work is, therefore, research both on the person of Flaherty, and the influence of Flaherty on the development of ethnographic film as a genre within anthropology. (Unfortunately it proved too challenging to import a video clip from the film, as it does not appear to be on the web.) Introduction

Robert Flaherty I have chosen to compile this information on Flaherty and his work on the film Nanook of the North. The film was published in 1922, the same year as Malinowski’s Argonauts of the Western Pacific. My main argument is that the film has ethnographic merit and by extension Flaherty can be considered an early anthropologist. The time consuming process of production for a film rules out any Structural-Functional or Functional influence on the making of Nanook, which predates it. Encyclopaedia References and links on Flaherty, the man: Wikipedia on Flaherty.doc Doros on Flaherty.doc (Picture from

Nyla, Nanook's wife, and her baby at the trading post, Still from Nanook of the North “ Released in 1922, Nanook is cited by most film historians as the first feature-length documentary ” for article by Alain Silver.

Film-making These articles provide a general discussion on documentary and ethnographic film, and consider Flaherty’s position within it. Consideration is given to some technical aspects, as well as theoretical aspects of the genres. (Links to source websites cited in documents) Flaherty on Nanook.doc Abstract of talk by J. Ruby: The Death of Ethnographic Film and The Death of Ethnographic Film.doc Death of Ethnographic Film.doc Conversation between Shapiro and Godmilow on documentary film: Conversation.docConversation.doc Review of Nanook: Sherwood on Film.docSherwood on Film.doc Ethnographer as Scientist: Early documentary filmmakers as scientists.docEarly documentary filmmakers as scientists.doc

Film making (continued) Comment on the emergence of Ethnographic Film: Prerana Reddy.docPrerana Reddy.doc Comment on the originality of Nanook in the Guardian: Nanook of the North (Guardian).docNanook of the North (Guardian).doc

Ethnographic Merit Flaherty’s enduring work is the 1922 film Nanook of the North, which has prompted much discussion within anthropology as to its ethnographic merit. See MacDougall 1998: 103. Robert Flaherty's NANOOK OF THE NORTH created the very genre of film documentary, with its documentation of Nanook the Inuit and the Eskimo traditions which were even then being erased by the influences of the white man. For close to 70 years, what we knew of Eskimo culture was what we learned from NANOOK OF THE NORTH. Unfortunately, the documentary is as much Flaherty's artistic and directorial imagination as reality. This program revisits Inukjiak, the site of Flaherty's filming, where Eskimo oral tradition still retains the memory of Flaherty's shoot, and learns that, among other things, the man's name was not Nanook, the women said to be Nanook's wives were actually Flaherty's, and the Inuits thought what Flaherty was asking them to do for the camera so hilarious they couldn't stop laughing. (unfortunately this anecdote is unsubstantiated by reference but it is amusing) macdougall on flaherty.pdf

Visual Records and References Archival goods: Nanook Box 23, stills from Nanook box A rough sequence of events in the film: : Photographs of Flahertyhttp:// htmlhttp://momawas.moma.org/collection/depts/film_media/blowups/film_media_005. html

Bibliography MacDougall, D., 1998, Transcultural Cinema, Princeton University Press Malinowski, 1922, Argonauts of the Western Pacific, Oxford University Press LINKS to Bibliographies: Further references to Flaherty and Film in Bibliography Web.doc, from Projects/98- 99/950004s/project/html/bibliogr.htmBibliography Web.doc Projects/ Web Resources for scholars by Ruby: Flaherty Index.htmFlaherty Index.htm Bibliography on Documentary Film

Bibliography (continued). Robert J Flaherty: A Biography (ed.) Jay Rubyhttp://nimbus.ocis.temple.edu/~jruby/wava/Flaherty/title.htmlhttp://nimbus.ocis.temple.edu/~jruby/wava/Flaherty/title.html Filmography Flaherty, R. J., 1922, Nanook of the North