A2 - Robert Flaherty

Robert Flaherty

Robert Joseph Flaherty was born the 16th February 1884 and died 23rd July 1951. Flaherty was an American filmmaker who directed and produced the first commercially successful feature-length documentary film, Nanook of the North. When he was a boy, Flaherty’s family moved to Canada, and as he grew up he explored and photographed vast regions of the country’s northern territory. His first film, Nanook Of The North (1922), a dramatic interpretation of the Eskimo way of life, was based on 16 months of living with them and filming their lives. His film was an international success, and its subjective presentation of reality set a model of excellence for nonfiction filmmaking, foreshadowing the documentary movement of the 1930s. 

In 1931, Flaherty came to Britain at John Grierson's behest to make a documentary for the Empire Marketing Board: this was to be a study of craftsmanship in Britain's major industries. After some weeks travelling around the country and shooting a great deal of 'test' footage, the EMB's limited film stock and funds ran out and Flaherty was taken off the film, which was completed by EMB personnel. A sound version of Industrial Britain, incorporating some of Flaherty's footage, was released in 1933 for distribution to commercial cinemas.

Some of Robert Flaherty's most famous productions are, Nanook of The North, Man Of Aran, Moana, The Titan: Story Of Michelangelo and Prelude To War.