Why Is John Grierson So Important To The Creation Of Canadian Documentary Film?

No matter the direction, or approach one may take when deciding to study Canadian cinema they will ultimately always end up coming across John Grierson’s name. Initially, when beginning research on the Canadian Documentary as a national trend one may focus on the characteristics and themes that set this trend apart from others. As that information is very valuable in this deeper analysis of a film trend, it is important to take a step back and acknowledge that this trend must have had to start somewhere and that somewhere is someone, named John Grierson. His importance to the creation of Canadian documentary film proves to be extremely critical and essential. His creation and participation with the national film board helped produce and grow the Canadian documentary, he himself had a large influence on the themes and characteristics that put this trend in its own specific category.
John Grierson was born in Deanston, Scotland in 1898, his father was a school teacher and his mother stayed home to raise John and his seven siblings. He went on to study at the the University of
These are the two modes that fit into Grierson’s art form as he likes it, they often use the voice of god aiming to tell the viewers what they are seeing. These films appeal to the intellect and hope to apply logical arguments. This is a great mode for propaganda films and seeks to explain the world. Observational mode is also a form that Grierson approves of, it captures life as it is lived and is as natural as it could be. Grierson made sure propaganda was news, in 1940 there was no personal way to retrieve news without going out to look for it, therefore propaganda news was delivered through short newsreels. Grierson knew these film reels needed to provide Canadian with personal views of the war to help foster the nation and provide