Composition and Modes of Documentary Films Containing Human Rights Violations of Enforced Disappearances in Thailand

Abstract

This research study was conducted with the aims to 1) examine the narrative elements of documentary films addressing the issue of enforced disappearance as a violation of human rights, 2) analyze the modes of representation employed in such documentary films, and 3) propose guidelines for producing documentary films that deal with enforced disappearance in Thai social context.

This study was conducted following a research and development (R & D) approach which divided the study into three phases as follows: Phase 1 (R1) involved analyzing eight award-winning documentary films that focus on enforced disappearance and human rights violations; Phase 2 (D1) encompassed the design, development, and production of a prototype documentary film; and finally, Phase 3 (R2) consisted of screening the developed documentary to three target groups including 1) general audiences, 2) human rights experts, and 3) documentary filmmakers and professionals working in the field of human rights, policy-related stakeholders, and communication scholars-totaling 33 participants. Data were collected through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews, and were analyzed through thematic synthesis.

The following findings could be observed in the research result: 1) the narrative structures of the analyzed documentaries could be found to commonly employ a three-act format and non-linear storytelling which presented intertwining past and present to convey the emotional depth of victims' experiences, 2) the expository mode has been found to be the most dominant representational style, often blended with poetic and participatory modes to enhance emotional engagement and authenticity. In addition, the observational mode could also be found employed to contribute a heightened sense of realism and empathy, and 3) to conduct an effective documentary production on this topic, prospective producers would be recommended to utilize a three-act structure with purposeful visual and sound design in order to practically communicate complex issues. Furthermore, the film’s ideological stance should also be taken in consideration as it could play a key role in shaping viewer response, especially across diverse audience backgrounds.