Paper short abstract:

This paper explores the nature of alternative genres for archaeological films in the face of the apparent need for reality and authenticity in archaeological visual representation. The exploration is carried out through my own experiment to remediate in film the fake documentary film Forgotten Silver.

Paper long abstract:

This paper is prompted by our call for films of alternative genres (albeit only 3 mins long) at TAG 2010. It explores the nature of alternative genres for archaeological films in the face of the apparent need for reality and authenticity in archaeological visual representation. The paper focuses on the subversion of the traditional documentary revealed in fake documentaries and mockumentaries. It takes as a starting point Alisa Lebow's statement in F is for Phony (edited by A.Juhasz and J.Lerner, 2006) "if the direct gaze can reveal nothing of the Real, then it follows that the satirical…… look of at least some mockumentaries may just create the proper context to catch a glimpse of the Real" and Angela Piccini's suggestion in Archaeology and the Media (edited by T.Clack and M. Brittain, 2007) that "…the juxtaposition of images and sound - when divorced from the idea of linear narrative - might just link us briefly with the Real". The exploration of subversive film/video about the past and those who investigate it is carried out through my own experiment to remediate in film the fake documentary film Forgotten Silver by Peter Jackson and Costa Botes.