I've been on a documentary kick for a while now because surely knowledge is power. I am also a fan of going through multiple cycles of questioning and re-learning everything I have come to know. I just like making my brain tired and filled with information at all times—it's no big deal. Over the past few months, I have collected a series of documentaries that have made me question myself a dozen times over. If you're feeling like having an existential crisis or just learning something entirely new, these are my top seven documentaries!
She's Beautiful When She's Angry
Thought you knew all about the women's liberation movement and the fearless women behind it? Well, you don't. This documentary made me realize how distinctly horrible things were before the women's liberation movement. It also made me increasingly angry at the patriarchy and how we don't highlight most of the women in the movement—especially the forces behind the scenes. This documentary still resonates with today's struggle as a women and is definitely one that opened my eyes at the progress we have made, and also how much much we still need to do.
Cowspiracy
I've been a vegan for almost a year now, but before I decided to cut dairy out of my diet completely—I did some extensive research on the environmental benefits. So, during my researching, I came across Cowspiracy. First debuted in 2014 (then the new cut in 2015) was produced and directed by Kip Andersen and Keegan Kuhn. The film explores the impact of animal agriculture on the environment, and investigates the policies of environmental organizations on this issue. Environmental organizations investigated in the film include Greenpeace, Sierra Club, Surfrider Foundation, Rainforest Action Network, and many more. I've never had a documentary shake me this up before.
Gasland and Gasland Part II
I watched Gasland for the first time in Social Issues my freshmen year of college and it was terrifying. Later, I watched Gasland Part II around the same time I learned that a friend of mine and her family were featured in both documentaries. Gasland focuses on communities in the United States affected by natural gas drilling and, specifically, a method of horizontal drilling into shale formations known as hydraulic fracturing. Gasland Part II highlights that the gas industry's portrayal of natural gas as a clean and safe alternative to oil is a myth, and that fracked wells inevitably leak over time, contaminating water and air, hurting families, and endangering the earth's climate with the potent greenhouse gas methane. Josh Fox, the director and environmental activist behind both films, is came out with another documentary released this past April called How to Let Go of The World (And Love All the Things Climate Can't Change).
The Unbelievers
Alright, this documentary truly turned the tables for me. I've been fascinated by belief systems since I was a young girl. I spent most of my adolescence going to the library and studying every belief I could get my hands on and took notes furiously trying to understand the links between them. So, when I came across this documentary—I was ready to sit and take it all in. The Unbelievers is a film that follows Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss as they speak publicly around the globe on the importance of science and reason in the modern world, encouraging others to cast off religious and politically motivated approaches toward what they think to be important current issues.
Paris Is Burning
If you want to be overly emotional one night, this is the documentary for you. It is compelling, tear-jerking, and educational—basically a package deal of greatness. Paris Is Burning focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the often socially shunned performers. The film chronicles the ball culture and the African-American, Latino, gay, and transgender communities within. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.
Kumu Hina
Man, oh man okay THIS is documentary is so incredibly important, oh my gosh. I want y'all to watch this so I am not going to spoil it too much! Kumu Hina is the story of Hina Wong- Kalu, a transgender native Hawaiian teacher and cultural icon, brings to life Hawaii’s long-held embrace of mahu — those who embody both male and female spirit, and are traditionally respected as caretakers, healers, and keepers of ancient traditions. Just watch it okay, that is all.
The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution
I don't care what you think you know about The Black Panthers from your history textbooks back from grade school because to be honest, it was probably a bunch of bull. This documentary is so crucial to watch, I can't even properly express it. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution is the first feature-length documentary to explore the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader American culture, its cultural and political awakening for black people, and the painful lessons wrought when a movement derails. It's utterly life-altering and I urge you to watch it!
I hope these documentaries serve you some educational justice. I am currently working through Requiem For The American Dream which follows the definitive discourse with Noam Chomsky, a key intellectual of today and someone who I have been absorbing knowledge from lately, on the defining characteristic of our time - the deliberate concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a select few. Happy learning,questioning, and re-learning folks!
