The life of Joris Ivens (1898-1989) coincides roughly with the history of the film. His own place of prominence in that history was earned by his pioneering work in the documentary film, which combined a striking aesthetic with intense personal and political involvement. This book places his life and work in the context of twentieth-century history and the development of the documentary film. Articles by film scholars, historians, former co-workers, and by Joris Ivens himself present a complex portrait of this outstanding filmmaker, illuminating the social, political, and aesthetic facets of his life and work, as well as of the documentary film in general.

Author Biography

Kees Bakker is project manager at the European Foundation Joris Ivens and is curently preparing a thesis on documentary film at the Universiteit van Amsterdam.