Mark Cousins' documentary series 'The Story of Documentary Film' explores the 1980s through two episodes, examining the decade's pivotal moments in documentary filmmaking.

The first episode, beginning and ending at Checkpoint Charlie, focuses on empathy and the collapse of the Berlin Wall, highlighting films that challenged political and social norms.

The second episode, subtitled 'detectives,' delves into investigative documentaries addressing wartime atrocities, with contributions from directors like Marcel Ophuls and Michael Moore.

Cousins' work blends historical analysis with personal insights, featuring clips from films such as Herz Frank's 'The Last Judgement' and Kazuo Hara's 'The Emperor’s Naked Army Marches On.

' The review praises Cousins' ability to educate and intrigue, though it questions the series' focus on TV consumption versus cinema experiences.The article underscores the series' richness in exploring documentary's role in societal reflection and accountability.