Nanook of the North (1922) Starring Allakariallak, Nyla, Cunayou. Directed by Robert J. Flaherty. Written by Robert J. Flaherty. Produced by Robert J. Flaherty. Run time: 79 minutes. USA. Black and White. Silent. Documentary.
The very earliest films, produced by the Lumière Brothers were
what are known as "Actualités", short pictures of real people in real
places. The first of these films was La sortie des usines Lumière (Workers
Leaving the Lumière Factory), (1895), was also the first film exhibited by
the Lumières on December 28, 1895. These sorts of films were the precursors to
what would become documentary films.
While not the first documentary, Nanook of the North by
Robert J. Flaherty was the first full length documentary to achieve commercial
success. As such, it would show the financial viability of the genre and would
inspire other filmmakers and films to come.
