**Robert J. Flaherty (1883-1951)** was an American filmmaker and explorer, universally recognized as the father of documentary film. His film career was defined by a pioneering approach, immersing himself in the lives of indigenous cultures to document their existence.

His masterpiece, **Nanook of the North** (1922), is considered the first feature-length documentary in history. The film depicts the daily struggle of an Inuit hunter against the wilderness, a recurring theme in his work. Flaherty lived with his subjects, documenting their resilience and traditions, although he sometimes resorted to staged reenactments for dramatic effect.

Other notable films include **Moana** (1926), set in Polynesia, and **Man of Aran** (1934), which chronicles the harsh existence of Irish fishermen. His style was poetic, ethnographic, and celebrated human dignity in the face of the forces of nature, influencing generations of documentary filmmakers.