Final answer:
Robert Flaherty's 'Nanook of the North' is a seminal ethnographic film that became a model for representation in the genre despite controversies over its staging and ethics of portrayal.
Step-by-step explanation:
Robert Flaherty's documentary film, Nanook of the North, is recognized as a pioneer in the field of ethnographic films. Released in 1922, it follows the life of an Inuit family in the Canadian Arctic, portraying their daily struggles against the formidable environment. The film showcases activities central to Inuit life, such as traveling by dogsled and kayak, hunting walrus, and building an igloo. Although admired for its intimate look at Indigenous peoples, the film has faced criticism for staging certain scenes and for ethical concerns over representation.
Despite this criticism, Nanook of the North laid the groundwork for later ethnographic filmmaking, influencing how filmmakers represent cultural practices and peoples different from their own. Future ethnographers and filmmakers reacted to the ethical challenges presented by Flaherty's style and moved towards more naturalist and objective presentations of their subjects.