This function moves the documentary into the realm of the essay. Here, the film doesn't just show you a problem; it breaks it down. Renov suggests that the documentary can function like a research paper, using juxtaposition, voice-over, and archival footage to "interrogate" history, power structures, or ideology. Think of The Fog of War , which systematically dissects the mind of Robert McNamara.

Consider the modern "vlogger." When a YouTuber cries on camera, they are enacting Renov’s "Subject as Witness." When a TikToker stitches a video to add their personal reaction, they are embodying the "Subject as Political Agent."

Self-representation, video confessions, and domestic ethnography. Key Concepts and Figures The Subject of Documentary - Michael Renov - Google Books

Renov doesn’t limit his study to theatrical releases. He looks at non-traditional practices that stretch the definition of documentary: Michael Renov. The Subject of Documentary - Document - Gale

The performative nature of documentary highlights the complexities of representation and the power dynamics at play between the filmmaker and the subject. Renov's work encourages filmmakers and scholars to consider the performative aspects of documentary and how they impact the subject and the audience.

: The rhetorical power to influence an audience.