Premise

Philosophy

Neuroscience

Cartography

Cognition

Mediation

Computer science

Relation (database)

Database

Aesthetics

Psychology

Geography

Epistemology

Sociology

Intersection (aeronautics)

Embodied cognition

Documentary film

Media studies

Social science

Projections

Traditionally, there has been little intersection between cognitive film theory and documentary studies. This article initially outlines the main reasons for this lacuna, but it also highlights the few existing exceptions. While these remain too embryonic to initiate a large, overarching, and evolving discourse, they constitute seminal landmarks and stepping stones for the future of cognitive documentary studies, which, as we argue, needs to be a pragmatic endeavor. Based on this premise, we propose a research framework consisting of four areas of interest: the mediation of realities; character engagement; emotion and embodied experience; and documentary practice. This framework takes into account intratextual and extratextual aspects in relation to documentary production and reception, as well as potential social impacts.

A Pragmatic Framework for the Cognitive Study of Documentary