As someone who is often busy juggling many tasks simultaneously, I love opportunities that allow me to knock two birds with one stone.
One great way of doing this in leisurely activities is by watching documentaries. On top of relaxing while watching a film, you can also submerge yourself in a valuable learning experience.
Here’s a list of five documentaries that I’ve watched and enjoyed recently to give you some ideas.
- Athlete A
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By exploring the sexual abuse of American gymnasts, Athlete A shows viewers that instances of abuse often slide by in highly credible institutions.
The Indianapolis Star originally exposed accusations of rape against Dr. Larry Nassar who worked as a team doctor for USA Gymnastics.
This documentary portrays the voices of survivors who share their personal experiences as young, vulnerable victims of Nassar.
While watching, I felt a great sense of connectivity with the women who shared their stories. Through hearing personal accounts and details, I was able to relate to the survivors on a more intimate level. As a female who has experienced gender-based abuse, I was really able to resonate with some of the athletes.
The court scene in which Nassar listens to testimonies from several survivors was especially moving. Seeing a room full of women coming together to share their stories in the pursuit of justice brought me a great sense of satisfaction.
- 13th
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Created by Ava DuVernay, this film delves into the history of racial inequality in the United States. It focuses on the fact that African-Americans are over-represented in American prisons.
One notable moment is when former laws surrounding the disparity between penalties for crack and powder cocaine are explained. I was so shocked to learn that many Black cocaine users were marginalized and thus, they couldn’t afford cocaine in powder form. However, many of their white oppressors had this luxury. It really opened my eyes to consider and explore how laws were once designed to penalize minority groups by preying on their vulnerabilities.
It became clear to me after watching this documentary that even though slavery no longer harms African-Americans, systemic and social forms of discrimination still lead to inhumane life experiences for many.
I believe that regardless of our races and identities, we should aim to learn more about marginalized groups so that we can act as informed and responsible citizens in our world. That is why I believe this film is invaluable for society.
- Miss Representation
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The first time I watched Miss Representation, I was in grade 11 English class. Personally, I had a lot of ambitious goals and dreams. I was dealing with internalized sexism at the time which made it hard for me to find my voice.
My passion for writing was really sparked by the messages in this documentary because they spoke to some of the struggles I was experiencing on a personal level. To this date, I still remember many of the lessons I learned from watching the doc. I even re-watched Miss Representation before my first day of journalism school to refresh my memory on the powerful and inspirational messages it contains.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the experiences of fellow females who have faced various forms of sexism. Hearing from women who openly speak out about the expressions of discrimination they faced throughout their lives has inspired me to speak out more as well.
One particular point which specifically stood out to me was the fact that the media doesn’t do an adequate job of portraying women of all ages. Instead, younger women often get the spotlight. This makes it seem as though aging, which is a natural part of life, is undesirable for females; it’s almost like the media thinks it lowers a woman’s value.
I also found it interesting how the film sheds light on clips from Shonda Rhimes’s Grey’s Anatomy. I am a fan of Rhimes and I believe that Grey’s Anatomy is one of the few shows that does it right. By portraying women of different personalities, races and ages thriving in a male-dominated field, this show really crushes gender stereotypes.
- This is Paris
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I’ve been a fan of Paris Hilton ever since my younger sister introduced me to The Simple Life. I found it so funny and entertaining to watch. That being said, I was always skeptical about the persona Hilton put on for the show. My view was that in order to monetize such a large social presence, Hilton must be a very savvy businesswoman.
When I watched her documentary on YouTube, I discovered I was right all along. However, there were many aspects about Hilton’s traumatic past that I never could have guessed.
Hilton opens up about the abuse she faced as a teenager after her parents sent her away to Provo Canyon School in Utah. She says that she still has many nightmares and emotional trauma from being physically and mentally abused by the staff. She even opens up about being taken away from her family by strangers at nighttime and being forced into solitary confinement as a consequence.
Most recently, Hilton has made the shift to activism by protesting for the closure of Provo Canyon School.
This shows us all that there’s more to every celebrity than what we see on television. And that’s important for the consumers of media to remember. Posting a harsh comment about a big star who appears to have it all may seem harmless, but it’s important to consider that we may only see a very minimal side of their story in the media.
- Miss Americana
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Taylor Swift opens up about her backstage life in this documentary. As the narrative unfolded, I learned many new things regarding the pressures media icons face as well as how societal messages can impact one’s personal health.
It became evident to me that even someone as successful and well-known as Swift faces body issues when she talked about her experiences with disordered eating. The stress of being constantly observed by cameras certainly gets to even the strongest celebrities out there. Although it is heart-breaking to hear that someone who is known for singing multiple uplifting songs may secretly battle insecurities, I was happy to hear that Swift is no longer facing these struggles.
I also enjoyed learning more about how much thought went into Swift’s decision to go public about her liberal views. Many of us may never stop to consider how hard it may be for celebrities to constantly watch what they say in order to avoid backlash. This film really captures the great care and detail that goes into making these types of choices.
Lastly, I think it’s so heartwarming and humbling that Swift includes both her mom and dad in many of her work-related decisions. It’s great to see that even with a hectic schedule and all, making time for family can always be possible. Additionally, the fact that she still keeps in touch with her highschool friend Abigail Anderson Lucier is equally humbling.