In the past century, new forms of documentary emerged during the decade of the sixties, like those of the cinema verite, the direct cinema and the free cinema. Several studies consider these proposals a direct consequence of technological advances; taking away importance to other aspects. The objective of this text is to observe other influences, particularly regarding the performance. For this end, the documentary Chronique d’un ete, by Jean Rouch and Edgar Morin, is analyzed as a performance.