Documentary (noun): Using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual record or report.
If there is one genre of film that is often criticized, it is documentaries.
But, why?
There are many great reasons why people should watch at least one documentary a week. Documentaries not only are educational due to the facts given to us through interviews or photos, but they also allow us to form opinions of issues throughout the world. They can be a source of motivation too, whether it be to change our lifestyles or take up a new hobby.
Due to the way material or information is presented to the audience, documentaries can be difficult to invest in. However, if one wants to begin the journey into being a documentary viewer, below are seven documentaries that can be found on Netflix. All are interesting due to their stories and presentation, and by the end, one will have a bit more knowledge and forming opinions based on what they've seen.
1. Hot Girls Wanted
This film that broke out at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival is about young women who have been drawn into the porn industry. The film, produced by Rashida Jones, also discusses how easy it is for the web-savvy generation to end up making porn. It's a powerful insight into how women try to find an escape, only to end up in the amateur porn industry. It shows a glimpse of what their lives are like when they're not making porn, and how some are determined to get out of the business.
2. The Culture High
"The Culture High," is a film that breaks into the modern day marijuana prohibition. It's a film that reveals the truth behind a lot arguments and motives governing both those who support, and oppose the existing laws. Packed with interviews from celebrities to doctors, this documentary will help you form opinions on the "war on drugs." Real testimonies are given from those who use it, or know someone who uses it for medical reasons. As well, there is tons of archive footage that shows, firsthand, how corrupt the system can be/is about the situation.
3. Jesus Camp
This Oscar-nominated documentary takes us inside an Evangelical Christian camp, Kids on Fire. The film provides interviews with the campers, Becky Fischer -- who is a Pentecostal minister, and works at the camp -- plus countless others. It explores the question on whether or not the children attending camp are being brainwashed. Clips of the campers bawling their eyes out over sinning, and a housewife telling her son creationism has all the answers, "Jesus Camp," will leave the viewer so disturbed and educated, and have them curious about the possible harm that could arise from the children attending the camp.
4. Blackfish
Telling the story of Tilikum, an infamous orca that ended up killing three people while in captivity, "Blackfish," is an eyeopening documentary about Sea World and the corruption of its animal handling. Through a series of interviews with former Orca trainers from Sea World, the film shows us not only those attacks by Tilikum, but by others too! It reveals how harmful the living conditions are, and possible causes of the orcas becoming aggressive. "Blackfish," is a film that will have the viewers angry, sad and ready for a change by the end.
5. La Bare
Actor Joe Manganiello, from "Magic Mike," takes us on a wild ride with "La Bare." Manganiello steps behind the camera for this documentary, which goes back stage to one of the most popular male strip clubs -- La Bare Dallas. The film features a fantastic ensemble of the club's dancers, taking us into their lives to discuss their daily lives, friendships, relationships, loss, and more!
6. Marina Abramovic: The Artist is Present
This documentary follows the Serbian performance artist, Marina Abramovic, as she prepares for a major retrospective of her work at the Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) in NYC. Footage of her past work, mixed with interviews, and clips of a piece she performs, this documentary gives a beautiful insight to a well-respected artist, and the process it takes to develop an idea into a performance piece.
7. Grizzly Man
"Grizzly Man" is a devastating docudrama that centers around an amateur grizzly expert, Timothy Treadwell. Unfortunately, Treadwell and his girlfriend, Amie Huguenard, were attacked and killed by a wild bear in 2003. Filmmaker Werner Herzog takes us on a ride, showing footage Treadwell shot himself, and series of interviews. Herzog explores and shows Treadwell's compassion, and addiction, to the endangered animals.
Take these documentaries as stepping stones into the vast world that is there. Besides those listed above, Neflix offers a wide range of documentaries from different countries and different topics. There are many documentaries about film, religion, politics, and food, to name a few. Get out there and get educated, and appreciate the art of documentary filmmaking.
