John Grierson

John Grierson (1898-1972)
(http://www.net-echt.info/en/2010/09/27/drifters/)
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John Grierson was one of the most important pioneers of documentary. Actually he was the one who coined the term: in his review to Flaherty's Moana (1926), he wrote that being a visual account of events in the daily life of a Polynesian youth and his family, it has documentary value. Also he was the one who brought Eisenstein's Potemkin to US and presented it to the American audiences.

Grierson directed only two movies, while being deeply involved in the making of more than thirty others. He was the great organizer of the documentary industry, in both UK and Canada, leading the national boards, getting the necessary government sponsorship, writing seminal film critics, encouraging young filmmakers, working together with them, as a producer and creative contributor. He is considered the father of British and Canadian documentary school.

• John Grierson: Drifters (1929)
• John Grierson: Granton Trawler (1934)

(Filmele Avangardei)