Documentaries are one of my favorite genres of film, as they can be both educational and entertaining at the same time. You can learn so much about topics you have never even thought about before, all in the span of two hours. Here are a few of my favorites (in no particular order) that I think everyone should watch at some point in their life!
- Free Solo
-
This film was released in 2018 and won the Academy Award for Best Documentary at the Oscars the following year. I initially thought it would be boring, thinking to myself who cares about some guy climbing a giant rock, but from the moment I started watching it I was hooked. The climber the film focuses on, Alex Honnold, wants to climb El Capitan in Yosemite Park, a vertical (nearly flat) rock that is 900 meters high. And he wants to do so without any equipment – yes, just using his bare hands. The filmmakers are fully aware they could be the ones to film his death if he falls, and are even hesitant about making the film in the first place. But they do it anyway since climbing El Capitan has been Alex’s dream for all his life. I can sincerely say I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, sweating every time Alex took a new step on the rock during the latter half of the movie. Even though you know he’s going to survive and it’ll be okay, it’s impossible to watch and not be a little bit terrified. Even if you’re not into rock climbing, this is an extremely well-made movie that will capture your attention until the very end. It’s currently available to watch on Disney+ and Hulu.
- Bowling for Columbine
-
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Michael Moore, this film was released in 2002, only a couple years following the aftermath of the tragic Columbine High School shooting. It follows Moore, who narrates while trying to find out what could have allowed this incident to occur, and attempting to gather an explanation for why America is so gun-crazy. It is eerie how relevant this film still is today, after the tragedies that occured only recently at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, and too many more to name. School shootings shouldn’t still be happening, yet they are, and this film may be part of the explanation as to why. Michael Moore is a master filmmaker and that is really reflected in this movie. It’s currently streaming on Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon.
- Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
-
Released in 2008, this film was created by amateur filmmaker (and friend of the movie’s subject, Andrew Bagby), Kurt Kuenne. In it he describes the life, and subsequent death, of Andrew, who was murdered by his ex girlfriend. She fled to Canada where she was able to walk free, pregnant with their son. After the birth of Zachary, Andrew’s parents struggled to gain custody of him and fought to do so. Kurt decides to put home videos and footage of Andrew together to show to Zachary in an effort for him to know who his dad really was. If you’re going to watch this movie, don’t look up anything about it beforehand. You can go into it knowing only this much information and still be heartbroken by the end. It is truly one of the saddest movies I’ve ever seen, but such a good watch. It is available on Amazon, but also for free on YouTube.
- Grizzly Man
-
Directed by Werner Herzog and released in 2005, this film pieces together Timothy Treadwell’s personal footage during his time living in the wilderness of Alaska, while trying to befriend the bears there. Treadwell truly believed it was possible for humans to be friends with and live among bears, claiming they are not as wild as they seem. The film documents his journey up until the point of his tragic death, in which he was killed by the very bears he was living with. Shockingly, this moment was captured on camera, though it is never played for the audience and has since never been made public. It is a chilling yet fascinating story, and it’s available to watch on Hulu and Amazon.
- 13th
-
In the wake of recent events, this film seems to be more relevant than ever. Directed by Ava DuVernay and released in 2016, this movie explores the history of racial inequality in the United States. It reveals that within the 13th amendment to the Constitution, which abolished slavery, there is a loophole in which slavery is allowed as “punishment for crime.” Seeing how prisons are disproportionately filled with African Americans, due to a system that is consistently rigged against them, slavery is technically still going on today, now in the form of prison labor. If you’re interested in learning more in depth on this topic, I highly recommend watching this film. It’s currently streaming on Netflix, as well as for free on YouTube.
The next time you’re having a movie night, consider one of these documentaries for an educational and interesting watch.
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, and read our latest Tweets!