Documentary films have often been criticised for their narrative shift. The term "documentary" is sometimes questioned by critics, who have coined new terms such as "docu-ganda" or "mondo films". Many critics have noted that the films have been subjected to a high degree of directorial manipulation, which may be inherent in the documentary form because of its problematic ontological foundations.

While there are numerous theories about documentary filmmaking, the term "documentary" was not first used until the early 1920s. However, even if the term had been coined in the early 20th century, it did not become widely accepted until the mid-19th century. As a result, many early films are a minute or less long. It is important to note that some documentary filmmakers use a voiceover to explain their films, and others choose to use an omniscient and objective tone.

The earliest films dominated by the novelty of capturing a moment were single-shot moments. Initially, these films were called "actuality" films, and the term "documentary" did not come into use until 1926. They were also short in duration, often under a minute or two. In the '20s, the concept of a documentary was introduced to the art world as an attempt to make documentaries more accessible to the general public.

The use of two-sided point of view in documentaries is not new, and many of the best examples of it are in the field of politics. For example, in one notable documentary called "Candid Eyes: Essays on Canadian Documentaries," the director focuses his argument directly to viewers, usually through voiceover and titles. The filmmaker makes it seem as if the viewer should already be aware of the issue. It does not use an omniscient, objective voice, and rarely uses images.

As a result, many filmmakers are turning to documentary films as a political weapon, often using the technique of expository films to argue with viewers. These films use titles and voiceover to convey their arguments, and are often produced in a rich male voice. They usually speak to the audience directly and in a broader sense, and are highly visual. They also make their viewers read images in a particular way. The use of subtitles in documentaries is a common trend, but it is important to recognize this when it occurs.

In addition to identifying with one of the two major types of documentary films, مستند ایکسونامی is also common in the world of television. This type of film is primarily used to make a statement about a topic, such as a controversial event. Typically, expository films are characterized by the use of subtitles. These subtitles are often descriptive of the content of a film. For example, a "documentary" movie may show that it's a historical fact, but it may also have an objective point of view.