I show that documentary film, and art more broadly, can function as a vehicle for both epistemic and affective justice in contexts of psychological trauma. The central claim is that trauma often persists not only because of the initial harm suffered, but because survivors are denied the epistemic and emotional resources necessary to process that harm. Through the imaginative reshaping of narrative, documentary can help lessen what the author calls "dwelling," the temporal and affective stagnation that is characteristic of trauma. By enabling new narratives to emerge, documentaries can facilitate forms of closure, recognition, and emotional repair for both participants and audiences. This can then allow for the argument to be applied to art more generally, showing how art can serve as an alternative in areas where other techniques for resolution might not be available.
