Top 10 Documentaries You Definitely Need To Watch
- mammamedia
- Oct 21, 2018
- 10 min read
Today I'm going to be discussing one of my favourite things in the world - Documentaries! I love getting into the nitty gritty of complex subject matter and the learning nature that Documentaries bring and so I have compiled a list of my Top 10 watches below:
10. The Confession Tapes (2017)
What is it? A true-crime documentary series exploring the false confessions of 6 convicted murderers and the role that the police played in this through their interrogation tactics. There are interviews with psychologists, police, the accused, friends, family and witnesses alongside alternative theories presented by experts in false confessions and criminal law.
Why should you watch it?
The show explore the evidence, police questioning and intelligently analyses the confession footage. The series is interesting because it analyses the psychology of a false confession and how a person can literally be coerced into admitting to murders with no recollection or evidence that they did. One of the stories ends with the accused being freed from prison, which makes the series a little less bleak also.
The series is pretty gruesome at times, with in-depth crime scene photos, footage and injury descriptions. I personally think this helps the viewer to understand the severity of the injuries as well as helping with analysis but I appreciate that not everybody may enjoy this level of detail. There is some really great editing and cinematography also, with chopping and changing in a montage fashion, emotive music and a real sense of suspense and terror during the reenactments.
Details:
7 episodes, each around 45 minutes long. Available on Netflix UK.
9. Girls Incarcerated: Young and Locked Up (2018)
What is it?
An 8-part documentary TV series following the teenage inmates of Madison Juvenile Correctional Facility, USA. We learn about the girls' backgrounds, their crimes, see interviews with their families, their highs and lows, the forming of relationships and in some cases, their release.
Why should you watch it?
The show is a troubling insight into troubled youths of America and the show is interesting, intense and moving. More so than a lot of other documentaries, Girls really allows you to get to know the inmates. Each inmate is introduced and described by staff, other inmates, family and friends. A few are introduced per episode, so you don't get overwhelmed with names or confused by who is who. Each girl's exploration weaves in with other inmates and so you get a full picture of the girls struggles, interactions, successes and progress. For just an 8-episode series, the growth in some of the inmates is incredible.
The show can be heartbreaking as some girls are released due to amazing progress just to misbehave outside and be forced to come back. It's moving to see the girls in their vulnerable moments, getting their education and working hard to return to their families.The show promotes rehabilitation by reinforcing positive qualities that the girls have and the way in which staff work with them to boost their confidence and help address the root of their conflicts is brilliant. To see girls so young deal with substance abuse and other troubling issues is devastating and yet the show manages to not be depressing - it makes you feel more grateful than anything.
Details:8 episodes, each around 45 minutes long. IMDB Rating: 7.4. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 92% (audiences). Available on Netflix UK.
8. Paris Is Burning (1990)
What is it?
A documentary film that chronicles the culture of the Drag ball scene in New York City during the 1980s: following the lives of those in the LGBT community for 7 years during this time. Director Jennie Livingstone was a student at the time and after being introduced to 'voguing' by a group of young gay men, she decided to explore ball culture further and began looking into gay and drag subcultures.
Why should you watch it?
Firstly, you don't need to have an interest or knowledge of drag. I myself am a huge RuPaul's Drag Race fan and this documentary is heavily linked and referenced often in the show. Even if drag isn't something you are interested in, this documentary beautifully explores the culture of the time and the struggles for young gay men involving identity, acceptance, race and poverty. There are brilliant dress categories also, showing the playful spirit of both the community and the documentary's portrayal. For example, one category for the Queens' dress is 'the gay basher who beat you up on the way here tonight'. This documentary has heart, emotion and is a historically and culturally significant cult documentary for a reason - definitely give it a try.
Details: Running time: 76 mins. IMDB Rating: 8.1. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%. Sundance Festival winner.
Available on Netflix UK, Amazon, Google Play and Hulu.
7. OJ: Made in America (2016)
What is it?Released in both theatrical format and as a 5-part miniseries, OJ tells the story of the infamous OJ Simpson. The series opens by exploring Simpson's beginnings as a emerging football star, documenting his rise to fame and illustrious career. The majority of the documentary then looks at what is undoubtably one of the most famous trials in history - OJ's trial for the murders of his wife and friend, Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Lyle Goldman. The series also explores the aftermath of the media frenzy surrounding the trials and OJ's acquittal... which is later followed by his arrest for another crime 13 years later.
Why should you watch it?
A story of race, media, celebrity, crime and hedonism, OJ is an important cultural exploration of the murky depths of fame. One of the most in-depth, gripping and information-loaded documentaries I have ever seen, this one had me thinking for weeks. No stone is left unturned and the series manages to bring a fresh take to one of the most talked about trials of the 1990s, as well as being the only one of its kind to explore what happened both pre and post trial in just as much depth. By waiting almost 20 years after the trial, the full picture of OJ can be painted, rather than public knowledge that came only from the trial itself (as well as bringing new information about the trial to light).
Race is heavily discussed - as the trial itself exploded into a racially controversial battle. Simpson himself is a complex character and the analysis mixed with archived footage and in-depth interviews (72 people were interviewed) makes for one of the most gripping and intriguing documentaries available. With one of the highest critic and public ratings for a documentary, you don't want to miss this one.
Details: Running time: 467 mins (in 5 parts). IMDB Rating: 9.0. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100% Available on Amazon, Google Play and Hulu.
6. Blackfish (2013)
What is it?
You probably know of Blackfish as the documentary that went after Seaworld and yes, it did succeed in so many ways. This documentary tells the story of orca Tilikum and Seaworld's use of captive killer whales. After Tilikum's involvement in the death of 3 people, the documentary explores Seaworld's unethical tactics for capture, the devastating separation of mother and infant, the ignorance of animal rights and resulting violence from animals in captivity.
Why should you watch it? Blackfish is heartbreaking, I'm not going to lie to you. However, the documentary has made an immense amount of change and it's ripple effect is still instigating justice years on. For example, Seaworld's income has declined by 60% since it's release and various legislation has been proposed to ban keeping orcas in captivity as well as featuring orcas in performance. Furthermore, in March 2016, SeaWorld announced it would end its orca breeding program and begin to phase out all live performances using orcas. That just goes to show you how powerful the documentary was and how much it affected public opinion.
The story also follows the cover up of trainer Dawn Brancheau's death and the shifting of Tilikum from park to park in order to conceal his dark history. He was also used heavily for breeding and once separation occurred, became more aggressive and displayed homicidal tendencies also seen in his offspring. Through interviews with ex trainers, archived footage including some of Tilikum's attacks and the devastating process of stealing orcas from their mothers, this documentary will devastate you before it sparks a passionate fire within you.
Details:
Running time: 83 minutes. IMDB Rating: 8.1. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 98%. BAFTA winning.
Available on Netflix UK, Amazon, Google Play and Hulu.
5. The Imposter (2012)
What is it?
The Imposter centers around the case of missing 13 year old boy Nicholas Barclay and his apparent return 3 years later. After returning home to his family, it is discovered that this is not the missing boy but an imposter pretending to be him. It is a 23 year old man with the wrong eye and hair colour - so how did nobody notice?
Why should you watch this?Aside from the fact that this is one of the darkest and strangest stories you will ever hear, the documentary itself is very well made. With a usually frowned upon mix of re-enactments, footage and interviews with the impersonator himself, the tale is told in an intriguing and enlightening way. As the main attraction of the documentary, French conman Frédéric Bourdin gives frank interviews about why he chose to impersonate Nicholas, his troubling history of similar crimes and the depth of his lies to both the Barclay family and the public.
Details: Running time: 95 minutes. IMDB Rating: 7.5. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 96%. BAFTA winning.
Available on Channel 4, Amazon and Hulu.
4. Amy (2015)
What is it?
A look at the life and premature death of extraordinary superstar jazz singer, Amy Winehouse. A beautiful portrayal of addiction, the dark side of fame, overwhelming pressure and immense talent, Amy is a masterpiece of raw footage, live performances, a rags to riches story and a kind, authentic young girl with a troubled heart.
Why should you watch this?
Firstly, it's very moving. Secondly, if you're a big music fan, Amy's songwriting process, her musical talent and the story of her artistry is also amazing to see so in depth. Whether you're a fan or not, you will have at least heard of the singer and her incredible success and eventual tragic death caused by drug and alcohol addiction - and you should watch this documentary to really get the whole story. Above all, Amy is poignant, tragic and eye-opening to the effects of being a modern day celebrity.
Details:Running time: 128 minutes. IMDB Rating: 7.8. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 95%.
Academy, Grammy and BAFTA award winning. Available on DVD, Amazon and Google Play.
3. Manhunt: Unabomber (Docu-Drama) (2017)
What is it?
Okay, so this is actually a Docu-Drama miniseries but it's too incredible not to make it onto this list. Manhunt is the near-perfectly truthful dramatisation of the infamous Unabomber and his life, crimes and eventual capture. Sending anonymous packages containing explosives around the US, Kaczynski killed dozens of people before releasing a lengthy manifesto that he demanded to be published in a high-profile publication such as the New York Times. This demand ultimately led to his demise, as through the then new-fangled idea of Forensic Linguistics, mass murderer Ted Kaczynski was caught out by the small linguistic footprints that make us all individual and tell many things about our upbringing, location and history.
Why should you watch this?Firstly, it doesn't feel like a drama. I'm not a fan of dramatised documentaries, preferring real footage. However, this story is told so well and there are some stunning shots that make you forget that you're watching a dramatisation. The story has twists and turns, is always intense, high-energy and thrilling whilst also managing to sensitively explore the history of the mysterious Unabomber, his reasons, methodology and lifestyle. The concept of Forensic Linguistics is also super interesting - learning about the way in which we all give away parts of our history simply through the words that we choose to use and how this was first used in a criminal investigation.
Details:8 episodes, each around 40 minutes long. IMDB Rating: 8.2. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 93%. Available on Netflix UK.
2. Paradise Lost: The Child Murders at Robin Hood Hills (1996) Paradise Lost 2: Revelations (2000) Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory (2011)
What is it?
In May 1993, 3 prepubescent boys were mutilated and murdered in West Memphis, Arkansas. Three teenage boys, Damien Echols, Jason Baldwin and Jessie Misskelley, were accused of the crime despite no physical evidence or witnesses. In a largely Evangelical Christian and politically conservative region, the boys were accused of engaging in Satanism and the documentary explores why these boys were targeted and accused. One of the West Memphis 3 received a Life Sentence, one a Life Sentence plus 20 years and Echols, believed to be the Satan worshipping leader, was given the Death Penalty. The cult documentary became part of a trilogy (Paradise Lost 2: Revelations and Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory) following the accused for many years, documenting appeals, examining evidence, trying to find the real culprit and eventually seeing the accused men freed.
Why should you watch this? In my opinion, this is the best true crime documentary in existence and definitely one of the most influential pieces of modern documentary filmmaking. Its popularity and cult following contributed to the re-examination of the convicted men and the trilogy has paved for the way for so many modern crime documentaries. With incredibly raw courtroom footage, self-taped interviews with the accused, thorough examinations into evidence, witnesses and the case itself - this is one not to miss. A product of the worries of the times and poor judgement, Paradise Lost is a thrilling and frustrating look at the US Justice System and the incredible story of how more lives were destroyed than that of the 3 young victims.
Details:
Running times: 150 minutes, 130 minutes & 121 minutes. IMDB Rating: 8.3. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 100%. Available on Amazon, Google Play & Hulu.
1. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father (2008)
What is it?
After the murder of Andrew Bagby, filmmaker Kurt Kuenne decided to make a moving tribute to his late best friend, intended only to be shown to family and friends. However, a spanner was thrown into the works when he learns that the prime suspect in his death, ex-girlfriend Shirley, is pregnant with Andrew's child. Dear Zachary then becomes about painting a picture of his friend for his unborn son. Further twists ensue and the reason for the documentary changes once again. Dear Zachary is a devastating tale of the failures of the Justice System, the pain and suffering of Andrew Bagby's wonderful parents as they experience multiple tragedies, the mark that is left behind by loved ones and the celebration of a great man.
Why should you watch this?
It is one of the most heart-wrenching pieces of cinema that I have ever watched. I don't want to give away spoilers but believe me when I say that you will feel an array of emotions throughout: from warmth, to sadness, to mind-shattering anger, frustration, grief and acceptance. Kate and David, Andrew's parents, are such wonderful human beings and they are the heart and soul of this documentary. The way in which Kurt travels thousands of miles to gather every piece of information possible about his best friend (some that he didn't know) means that a complete picture of Andrew is painted to the point where the viewer feels they really know him. The interviews are funny, sweet and above all honest - showing all sides of Andrew rather than just the positive. There are so many twists to keep up with and the case itself takes a backseat to the painful chaos that ensues - the story turning into a completely different one than you thought you were watching. A real emotional rollercoaster that will stay with you for a very long time, this will always be my most recommended documentary.
Details:
Running time: 93 minutes. IMDB Rating: 8.6. Rotten Tomatoes Rating: 94%.
Available on Amazon, Google Play & Hulu.
Thanks for reading. If you have any other suggestions or any that didn't make the list, please feel free to suggest them!
Comments