Netflix has become a sanctuary for amazing content, including original programmes that has drawn Huge numbers of subscribers to the site over the past few years. And while shows like Stranger Things and The Crown have garnered much praise, Netflix is also filled with superb non-fiction especially in the documentary department. So here’s 5 thought provoking documentaries available on Netflix right now.
Wild Wild Country
This is one of Netflix’s latest ventures into producing an original docu-series. The 6 part documentary tells the story of the strange counter culture group dubbed as the Rajneeshpurum who arrived in Oregon much to the distress of locals in the 1970s. What starts out as a slightly out-there sex cult that may have been slightly unfairly treated at first soon turns into a story of power grabbing and the extent these people would go to, to protect their shunned community. What gives Wild Wild Country that extra edge is the participation of high ranking members including the fascinating and dangerous secretary Ma Anand Sheela allowing viewers to get a no holds barred look into a controversial time in American history.
Welcome to Leith
Another documentary that focuses on a community met with strain, Welcome to Leith is about a tiny town in middle America with a population of less than 20 people who find their town suddenly becoming shared with neo-nazis. Similar to Wild Wild Country we get to see how far people will go to protect their community on both sides and both with varying degrees of success. Welcome to Leith also offers extensive interviews with these Neo- Nazis and will have you at times thinking they don’t seem that different but also offers a massive insight into the issue of hatred and race in America even if it is on a much smaller scale.
Jim and Andy
While Netflix have varying degrees of quality in their content Jim and Andy is a much watch. The film centres around Jim Carrey’s time on set as he set out to play his idol comedian Andy Kaufman in the biopic “Man on the moon”. The film is full of superb interviews and never seen before behind the scenes footage that showcases Carrey’s commitment to the role and how far he took it no matter how much he drove the cast and crew insane. The film also offers a very personal look into the life of Carrey who has often been an enigma in the public eye and although it can be a hard watch at times there are plenty of comedic moments that offer some great levity to this superbly made film.
Icarus
As mentioned earlier Netflix originals can range from amazing to not so great. Icarus is the former. This documentary took home this years Oscar for best documentary feature, Icarus sees filmmaker Bryan Fogel set out to explore the world of doping in order to win an amateur cycling race. The documentary soon takes a turn as Fogel works with Russian scientist Grigory Rodchenkov (who is such a charismatic guy he alone makes the film worth watching), and viewers are suddenly thrown into a film about lies, secrets and massive government conspiracy. An extremely enjoyable watch especially with stories from Russia swarming the news of late.
Raiders! The story of the greatest fan film ever made.
To end on a lighter note Raiders is a very much little known but extremely underrated documentary. The film follows 2 friends who attempt to finish their childhood project of completing their version of Raiders of the lost Ark shot for shot. This film is an absolute blast to watch as we see the two leads reunite as adults to film the final sequence the film that they were unable to complete as kids. While watching the shot for shot recreation you can’t but admire their creativity which leaves you routing for these friends to finish their little passion project. Its funny, its sad and it’s criminally viewed by very few people so make sure this one is on your watch list.