Judit Oláh: Truth in personal documentaries: Analyzing the Impact of Dramaturgy and Human Memory on truth in personal documentaries

This doctoral project investigates the complex relationship between truth, dramaturgy, and human memory in personal documentaries. By focusing on films that reconstruct past events through personal memories, it explores how the fragmented and subjective nature of memory affects the representation of truth. The research will examine key documentary theories, including those by Bill Nichols and Michael Renov, and delve into philosophical perspectives on truth from thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard and Slavoj Žižek. The project includes in-depth analyses of documentaries such as “The Act of Killing” and “Cameraperson,” exploring how dramaturgical techniques and personal narratives shape viewers' perceptions of truth. Additionally, the artistic component will involve creating a personal documentary to practically investigate these themes. The goal is to develop a conceptual framework for understanding truth in personal documentaries, recognizing the inherent subjectivity of memory and the influence of cinematic tools on narrative construction.

• Project lead: Judit Oláh
• Contact: Judit.olah(at)gmail.com
• CV: Judit Oláh earned her M.A. in Film Studies from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, where she concurrently pursued coursework in film-making alongside her academic studies in film theory and history. Throughout her university years, she gained hands-on experience by working in various capacities on several film projects. Since 2015, she has been involved in creating documentaries, short films, and advertisements, showcasing her versatility within the industry. In 2020, Judit completed her feature-length documentary, "Return to Epipo," which was produced by HBO Europe. The film made its debut at CPH:DOX in the Next:Wave competition and was featured in numerous festivals, including Sarajevo and Movies that Matter. Judit has also participated in several international workshops, such as Archidoc, Midpoint, Sarajevo Talents, Berlinale Talents, DokIncubator, ExOriente, and has been honored as a Nipkow fellow. Currently, she is working on her feature-length documentary “Maomi” which has won the Stipendium from the Berlin senate for woman artists, and was supported by Kuratorium Junger Deutcher Film. Judit has a keen interest in utilizing archival material in her work and is dedicated to exploring stories with significant sociological impact, reflecting her deep commitment to both the art of filmmaking and the exploration of complex societal issues. Judit moved to Berlin with her family (husband and two children) in 2020.