Challenging the Narrative: Documentary Film as Participatory Practice in Conflict Situations

Filmmaker McLaughlin addresses the need to create platforms for survivors of political violence to tell their stories in order to challenge marginalizing narratives and injustices and as a form of public acknowledgement and personal healing. Drawing on his experiences directing films in Ireland, Haiti, Brazil and South Africa, McLaughlin reflects on the potential of documentary film to provide a platform for those who have experienced political violence to challenge dominant narratives that marginalises them, and that offers potential for personal and public healing. Using participatory methodologies, each case study analyses conditions of production, political context, participatory potential, and impact of the films on both survivors and the general public. Challenges are addressed and lessons suggested for similar projects in the areas of documentary film, transitional justice, participatory ethnography and political activism.