The Documentary Film as Social Discourse in James Amuta's Nightfall in Lagos and Femi Odugbemi's Bariga Boy

Background: The documentary film arguably is famed to be a film of facts as it deals with actual life issues as opposed to fiction films, which express the creative imagination of the auteur. Scholars have severally argued that documentary film provides the filmmaker and society with a potent platform for open and factual engagement towards addressing socio-political, economic, environmental, and cultural issues. Objective: This paper, therefore, investigates the nature, content, and direction of the documentary film genre in Nigeria as an effective tool for social discourse through the appraisal of two documentary films by James Amuta, Nightfall in Lagos and Femi Odugbemi, Bariga Boy. Method: Through qualitative content analysis and in-depth interviews with the filmmakers, the study explores the concept of social discourse that could be generated, processed, and sustained through documentary film text. Similarly, the study adopts discourse theory as theoretical framework. Results: Consequently, the study finds the two documentary films appropriate and relevant media in revealing how documentary films could engender social discourse, which embodies such potential for provoking citizens’ engagement, social change, and general social improvement within the society. Conclusion: The research concludes that the documentary film presents the filmmaker with a platform to lend a voice to efforts at establishing sound democratic freedom, justice, good governance, and an equitable society. Unique Contribution: The study opens a new vista for further investigations into the potential of the documentary film genre as an effective tool for driving social discourse that could lead to socio-economic and political transformation in Nigeria. Key Recommendation: It thus recommends the deliberate application of the documentary film as an effective instrument of social change.