Good Documentaries...
There are a good deal less titles listed below than I have listed on the Good Books page, and I have put this list up mostly so that it can be expanded by other people's insights and recommendations. I am always on the lookout for great new documentaries - if you have any to recommend and add to the list, please do contact me.
... should be shared
* NEW * Gabo: The Making of Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Directed By Justin Webster
Synopsis – The story of one of the most profoundly influential literary geniuses of the previous century.
- A beautiful and moving account of GGMs life and how he came to write his masterpieces, against the background of violent political turmoil and revolutionary social ideas.
The House of Suh
Directed By Iris Shim
Synopsis – An account of the murder of Robert O'Dubaine, and the life story of the boy who pulled the trigger.
- An insightful glimpse into Korean culture, and the life of the Suh family son as a second generation migrant. The film raises questions about the foundations of the individual's moral compass inside ones own culture; and the true motives in such a notorious crime. Filmed mostly in the prison where Andrew Suh is presently incarcerated, the interviews reveal a surprisingly articulate, intelligent, sympathetic, young man trying to make sense of the senseless act that sealed his fate.
Finding Vivian Maier
Directed By John Maloof, Charlie Siskel
Synopsis – The fascinating account of a Maloof's acquisition of Maiers effects, and his journey discovering who she was.
- An enthralling film which uncovers the work of arguably one of the most talented portrait photographers of the previous century; an eccentric, secretive and hitherto entirely unknown career nanny.
Searching for Sugarman
Directed By Malik Bendjelloul
Synopsis – The story of music artist Sixto Rodriguez and the cult following on the other side of the world that he never knew he had.
- A truly incredible story - one that almost defies belief. A beautiful portrayal of a truly extraordinary man, who was 'discovered' decades after he beleived he had failed in the music industry and brought to South Africa where he had long since, unbeknownst to him, enjoyed legendary status. Thank you DOUG for recomending.
Alive Inside - A Story of Music and Memory
Directed By Michael Rossato-Bennett
Synopsis – The dramatic effects of music on the residents of a nursing home, and the effect of music on the memories of patients suffering from various forms of dementia
- A charming film, made extraordinary by the delightful and eccentric residents who undergo such remarkable transformations when exposed once again to the music they loved in their youth. A very insightful assessment of modern geriatric care, and a frightening view of the future, unless the current system is drastically altered.
The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz
Directed By Brian Knappenberger
Synopsis – The life, accomplishments and tragic death of the prodigious Mr Swartz
- A series of interviews and home footage that weaves together Swartz's life and his ideas on the internet and freedom of information. A fitting tribute to an extraordinary intellect and courageous activist; and an expose on the persecution that drove him to suicide. Swartz death was an incalculable loss to society, and his achievements deserve commemoration.
The Jinx - The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst
Directed By Andrew Jarecki
Synopsis – The six-part story of the life Robert Durst, and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of his wife, friend and neighbour over several decades.
- There can be no doubt that the series is over-dramatized at times - but Jarecki & co-creator Smerling clearly understand the value of their infinitely intriguing subject, the eccentric Mr Durst. The life story of Durst, to say nothing of his glaring tics and unusual mannerisms, casts a distinctly eerie glow over the suspicious circumstances recounted. Ending with the shocking microphone recording that has now been played on news channels all over the world, The Jinx certainly contributed significantly to the case against Durst, whilst simultaneaously shedding light on the makings of the man capable of such actions.
The Cove
Directed By Louie Psihoyos
Synopsis – A sensational expose about the mass slaughter of dolphins in Japan.
- A very graphic but passionately driven documentary that brings to light details of the Japanese whale meat trade, the realities of the process by which dolphins are obtain for captivity, and the horrific annual slaughter in Japan.
Zeitgeist
DIrected By Peter Joseph
Synopsis – A three part examination of the history of Christianity, the events surrounding 911; and the monetary system of the United States.
- A very original and interesting film, deliberately made freely available to all online. Joseph also created 2 fascinating sequels to this documentary which delve further into some of the matter touched upon in the original.
Blackfish
Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Synopsis – An expose on the lives of orca's in captivity, inspired by the violent death of Seaworld trainer Dawn Brancheau.
- A beautifully composed and well researched film shedding light on the captivity of killer whales for human entertainment, and examining the numerous violent deaths caused by the animals in various water parks.
Sharkwater
By Rob Stewart
Synopsis – A close examination of the plight of sharks around the world, and a deeper look into the illegal shark fin trade..
- THere can be no doubt that Stewart's film is passionate, and in some ways emotional. However the message he send is important, and the film itself was rather groundbreaking at the time of its release. The documentary is well done and powerful.
THe Blue Planet
A BBC Film
Synopsis – A nature documentary on a variety of underwater ocean fauna.
- Simply extraordinary - like every production Attenborough is associated with. The underwater footage in his film was unparalled at the time of its realease - numerous species, particularly in the "Deep" section had never before been filmed. Exquisite, from begining to end.
Children of the Decree
Directed By Razvan Georgescu & Florin Iepan
Synopsis – A closer look at womens lives in Romania during the time of dictator Nicolae Ceaucescu, who enforced decrees forbidding birth control of any kind.
- WARNING Extremely disturbing content towards the end of the film, which includes the notorious original footage of the dying rooms from the early 90s.
A very interesting and frightening glimpse into the plight of Romanian women under the perverse anti-contraception laws of Ceaucescu. A great deal of original footage, and fascinating interview participants.
Wild China
A BBC FIlm
Synopsis – A detailed cinema study of China's flora and fauna, and the perceptions of these in modern and ancient Chinese culture.
- A beautifully shot and very interesting documentary that shows some of China's least-known, rare, and stunning creatures. From cities to forest, North to South, this film captures the very essence of Chinese wildlife and culture.
A Brilliant Madness
Directed By Mark Samels
Synopsis – The story of mathematical genius John Forbes Nash - his descent into madness and lifelong battle with schizophrenia
- One of the most interesting biographical documentaries I have ever seen. Includes interviews with Nash, his colleauges and family, and a good deal of old photographs. Extremely well presented and written.
Black Beach - Simon Mann's African Coup
Directed By Christopher Olgiati
Synopsis – The story of Equatorial Guinea's oil & its government; and the plot to overthrow one of Africa's most notorious distators.
A documentary which is perhaps most fascinating due to the fact that there appears to be not a single morally aware protagonist figure in the entire bizzarre story. An expose into the vulgar reality of U.S. foreign affairs, and an interesting glimpse of an eccentric & remorseless man who seems almost to have stepped out of the pages of a Greene novel.
Jonestown - The Life and Death of the People's Temple
Directed By Stanley Nelson
Synopsis – A detailed account of the history of the People's Temple, and their tradgic endings at Jonestown.
- Fascinating to anyone who has any interest in the incident, or cults in general. A great deal of old footage, audio recordings and photographs, the fillm is comprehensive and moving without being sensational.
The Galapagos Affair - Satan Came to Eden
Directed By Dan Geller, Dayna Goldfine
Synopsis – The true account of the European settlers who came to the island of Floreana in the 1930s seeking isolation from the outside world, and the havoc that eventually engulfed their existance.
- I was tremendously excited when I saw that someone had finally made a documentary about (to my mind) one of the most intriguring stories of murder, isolation and madness in the 20th century. Having long since been deeply fascinated by the witten account of Dore Strauch, of the same name as this film's subtitle, and also the (conflicting) account of Margaret Wittmer regarding what occured on Floreana all those years ago, this was a documentary I thoroughly enjoyed. There were some rather glaring omissions (the Baroness' peculiar 'shooting accident', for example), and more emphasis was placed on various other settlers in the Galapagos than I thought necessary to the tale; however, the film remains invaluable for the various insights, as well as the old footage and photographs it contains.
Conquistadors
Directed By David Wallace
Synopsis - Retraces the steps and examines the account of various notorious Conquistadors advancing upon the New World.
- Written and produced by Michael Wood, this is an excellent presentation of some of the most remarkable, courageous, violent, norotious, adventurous men in history, and an account of disasterous first contact with an unknown civilisation.
Galapagos - The Islands that Changed the World
A BBC Film
Synopsis – A three part documentary on the flora, fauna, geography and history of the Galapagos Islands.
- Spectacular cinematography and ecxellent articular narration make this film one of the best nature documentaries I have ever seen. The film is painstakingly shot, and has an excellent soundtrack.
Le Monde Du Silence
Directed by Jacques Cousteau
Synopsis - A journey into the underwater realm, and a fascinating look at the efforts required to explore and film underwater at this time.
– A timeless classic, and the first film with underwater footage shown in colour. Cousteau invites his viewers along for a marvellous journey of exploration, and introduces them to all aspects of his ship, his crew and an underwater realm that was, at the time, truly an unexplored wilderness. WARNING - this film contains scenes that will be deeply offensive and disturbing to those who are not familiar with Cousteau himself, and some of the ethical notions regarding marine life that prevailed at the time.
The Ring of Fire
Directed By Lawrence & Lorne Blair
Synopsis – The filmed account of two brothers who follow the footsteps of Wallace in Indonesia.
Filmed in the late 1970's, this is a glimpse of everything that is still wonderful in the world, and in Indonesia. The Blair brothers explore the underwater realm, sail accross the archipelago, and make contact with a Dyak tribe miles in the interior. Irrestistably charming. Thank you LAWRENCE for recomending. :)
The Diva Mummy
An NHNZ Film
Synopsis – A detailed examination of the little-known and astonishingly well-preserved mummies of China.
- A fascinating film that delves into the burial rites and preservation methods used in some parts of China during the Han Dynasty- which have resulted in intact and inredibly well preserved mummies comparable to the well known Egyptian bodies.