CultureAugust 28, 2026

mockumentary

MOK-yuh-men-ter-ee

Definition

A film or television program that presents fictional characters and events as if they were a real-life documentary.

Etymology

The word is a portmanteau of the words 'mock' and 'documentary.' It emerged in the 1960s to describe satirical works that parody the serious tone and techniques of factual filmmaking.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the Ali G film, noting that the camera crew follows the character as he attempts to stage a real-life comeback. This format is central to Sacha Baron Cohen’s style of satire.

Sacha Baron Cohen Ali G Movie Slammed as Racist, Activists Send 37,000 Emails to Theaters

Read the full article ↗

The Hollywood Reporter

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