Documentary films are facing two problems under an increasingly active copyright regime The first has been identified by others, and is that difficulties in winning (and affording) permissions are mounting.
The second is more subtle, and involves the passage of time. Documentary creators who won limited (as opposed to perpetual) duration for materials are having a hard time getting continued rights. As film stock deteriorates, access declines.
There's a study on this, which I'll try to read on the plane (if United ever gets one going).
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