Book review: Making Documentaries and News Features in the Philippines

Kenny, James & Isabel, 1996 Making Documentaries and News Features in the Philippines, Anvil Publishing, Manila. ISBN 971-27-0568-4 Review Essay by Chris Nash The Kennys take a very broad approach to the definition of documentary, including even the ten-minute segments that make up programs like 60 Minutes. This is undoubtedly wise in the context of the Philippines and most Asian, indeed international, film and video distribution systems. There is little or no arthouse cinema distribution, traditionally the mainstay of documentary film, and television infotainment very rarely gets anywhere near independent, in-the-field investigation of an issue, which is perhaps the best definition of documentary that doesn't get embroiled in arguments about form and genre.