The best DOCUMENTARIES ever
I've more and more to love the great documentary. Here's a lust of the best I know. A few of them I still have left to see, since some are more difficult to find, if you're not there when they are shown. I hope the great documentaries in the future will be more accessible, so that they can be enjoyed as well as be the result of awe, shock and disgust. Here my list of great documentaries. Please, feel free to recommend others!
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- DirectorJoshua OppenheimerAnonymousChristine CynnStarsAnwar CongoHerman KotoSyamsul ArifinA documentary which challenges former Indonesian death-squad leaders to reenact their mass-killings in whichever cinematic genres they wish, including classic Hollywood crime scenarios and lavish musical numbers.
- DirectorAdrian MoatStarsTom HanksRegen WilsonBilly CampbellBased on The New York Times best-selling novel, Killing Lincoln is the suspenseful, eye-opening story of the events surrounding the assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln.
- DirectorNishtha JainTorstein GrudeStarsSampat Pal DeviRam DulariDevratiIn Bundelkhand, India, a revolution is in the making among the poorest of the poor, as the fiery women of the Gulabi Gang empower themselves and take up the fight against gender violence, caste oppression and widespread corruption.
- DirectorThor HeyerdahlStarsThor HeyerdahlHerman WatzingerErik HesselbergA documentary about the Kon-Tiki expedition of the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl.
- DirectorChris PaineStarsMartin SheenTom HanksMel GibsonA documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future.
- DirectorJean DrévilleTitus Vibe-MüllerStarsRaoul DautryFrédéric Joliot-CurieLew KowarskiA factual reconstruction of the sabotage which took place to prevent Germany from getting the heavy water needed to make an atomic bomb during World War II.
- DirectorCameron CroweStarsEddie VedderStone GossardJeff AmentA documentary on the band Pearl Jam that marks their 20th anniversary in the year 2011.
- DirectorCosima DannoritzerStarsRichard JonesMolly MalcolmSteve BunnThis is the story of companies who engineered their products to fail.
- DirectorDavis GuggenheimStarsAl GoreBilly WestGeorge BushFilmmaker Davis Guggenheim follows Al Gore on the lecture circuit, as the former presidential candidate campaigns to raise public awareness of the dangers of global warming and calls for immediate action to curb its destructive effects on the environment.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreCharlton HestonMarilyn MansonFilmmaker Michael Moore explores the roots of America's predilection for gun violence.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreGeorge W. BushBen AffleckMichael Moore's view on what happened to the United States after September 11 and how the Bush Administration allegedly used the tragic event to push forward its agenda for unjust wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreTucker AlbrizziTony BennA documentary comparing the highly profitable American health care industry to other nations, and HMO horror stories including shotgun deaths.
- DirectorSusan SaladoffStarsChuck AllenJudy AllenJay AngoffHow the infamous McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit and similar cases were exploited as part of a right wing crusade to weaken civil justice.
- DirectorLeslie WoodheadStarsKevin SpaceyJohn F. KennedyJacqueline KennedyCaptures the frantic rush to the local hospital, the public chaos that ensued, the quickly mobilized manhunt by law enforcement looking for a suspect after witnesses identified the source of the gunshots as the Texas Book Depository, and the clash and confusion of media and authorities as Oswald is brought in for interrogation.
- DirectorCharles FergusonStarsMatt DamonGylfi ZoegaAndri Snær MagnasonTakes a closer look at what brought about the 2008 financial meltdown.
- DirectorHans Petter MolandStarsAnders BrekkeOlav Arnar BøPetros ChristodoulouIt is becoming increasingly difficult to protect ourselves from extreme financial volatility. This feature documentary will examine the mechanics behind bubbles and crashes, and discuss trends and visions for the future.
- DirectorLine HalvorsenStarsAbdullah Al-ArianLaila Al-ArianLama Al-ArianUSA vs AL-ARIAN is a close portrait of an Arab-American family facing terrorism charges leveled by the U.S. Government. The film shows a personal story of a family living in a society where fear of terrorism has resulted in increasing stigmatization and discrimination against Muslims.
- DirectorSigve EndresenDocumentary about three boys with cancer and their joys and sorrows, from operations, hospitals and funerals.
- StarsGunnar SønstebySven NordinReidun EngebretsenA documentary about the most decorated war hero in Norway, the young Gunnar "Kjakan" Sønsteby (Code named "No. 24") and his life as an undercover agent during the second world war.
- DirectorRichard ShepardStarsJohn CazaleSteve BuscemiSam RockwellA portrait of the acting craft of John Cazale and a tour through the movies that defined a generation.
- DirectorFilip ChristensenEven SigstadStarsAnders BackeTiril Sjåstad ChristiansenTim DurtschiA ski documentary showcasing modern freeskiing, free riding and snowboarding.
- DirectorAndrew JareckiStarsArnold FriedmanJesse FriedmanDavid FriedmanDocumentary on the Friedmans, a seemingly typical, upper-middle-class Jewish family whose world is instantly transformed when the father and his youngest son are arrested and charged with shocking and horrible crimes.
- DirectorMorgan SpurlockStarsMorgan SpurlockDaryl IsaacsChemeeka WalkerWhile examining the influence of the fast food industry, Morgan Spurlock personally explores the consequences on his health of a diet of solely McDonald's food for one month.
- DirectorLee HirschStarsAlex LibbyLona JohnsonKelby JohnsonA documentary on peer-to-peer bullying in schools across America.
- DirectorMat HodgsonStarsAlejandro AgagGareth AinsworthAmit BhatiaThe story of Queens Park Rangers FC's comeback from the brink of bankruptcy in 2007.
- DirectorPaul SaltzmanStarsHighschool Seniors of CharlestonMorgan FreemanA high school in a small-town in Mississippi prepares for its first integrated senior prom.
- DirectorNicolas PhilibertStarsGeorges LopezAlizéAxel ThouveninA documentary portrait of a one-room school in rural France, where the students (ranging in age from 4 to 11) are educated by a single dedicated teacher.
- DirectorKevin MacdonaldStarsRaymond AubracRobert BadinterKlaus BarbieA look at the history of one-time Gestapo commander Klaus Barbie, infamously known as "The Butcher of Lyon." This documentary's main focus will be on Barbie's post-war activities, in which he became a counter-intelligence agent who worked for the same countries that pursued him during WWII.
- DirectorVibeke LøkkebergIn a rough style, by way of unique footage, the brutal consequences of modern wars are exposed. The film also depicts the ability of women and children to handle their everyday life after a dramatic war experience. Many of them live in tents or in ruins without walls or roofs. They are all in need of money, food, water and electricity. Others have lost family members, or are left with seriously injured children. Can war solve conflicts or create peace? The film follows three children through the war and the period after the ceasefire.
- DirectorMalik BendjelloulStarsRodriguezStephen 'Sugar' SegermanDennis CoffeyTwo South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez.
- DirectorFrances CauseyDonald GoldmacherStarsElizabeth WarrenNomi PrinsFranklin D. RooseveltHeist: Who Stole the American Dream? reveals how American corporations orchestrated the dismantling of middle-class prosperity through rampant deregulation, the outsourcing of jobs, and tax policies favoring businesses and the wealthy. The collapse of the U.S. economy is the result of conscious choices made over thirty five years by a small group: leaders of corporations and their elected allies, and the biggest lobbying interest in Washington, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. To these individuals, the collapse is not a catastrophe, but rather the planned outcome of their long, patient work. For the rest of the country, it is merely the biggest heist in American history.
- DirectorSteven GreenstreetStarsKay AndersonJim BassiSean VreelandThe film follows Micheal Moore's controversial decision to speak at the Utah Valley State College, where a heated debate between protestors and supporters argue Moore's First Amendment freedom of speech rights.
- DirectorKatrine BoormanStarsJohn BoormanKatrine BoormanCharley BoormanAn intimate portrait about the iconic filmmaker John Boorman directed by his daughter Katrine. The story is told through the relationship of father and daughter, it is a journey about film making, family conflict, love and reconciliation.
- DirectorMaro ChermayeffMicah FinkStarsWayne MannFollows the Ramapough Indians and their legal team as they take on Ford and the EPA.
- DirectorMargreth OlinStarsGoli Mohammed AliHusein AliKhalid FaquiriIn 2009 the Norwegian government introduced new rules to enforce immigration. One was the rule for preliminary stay for sole minors under 18. Who's responsible for them?
- DirectorMelanie Perkins"Have You Seen Andy?" is the personal story of a childhood friendship abruptly ended by the tragic abduction of a young boy. On a hot summer day in August 1976, ten year-old Andy Puglisi was playing along with dozens of other children at the Higgins Memorial Pool in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Then suddenly, he disappeared. Twenty-two years later, filmmaker Melanie Perkins, Andy's childhood friend, begins her search for answers in this feature-length documentary. 2008 Emmy Award Winner - Best Investigative Journalism.
- DirectorStefan JarlStarsInge AhlströmArne AnderssonPeter AnderssonDocumentary in which director Stefan Jarl has a blood test performed on himself to show the "chemical burden" of trace chemicals in the blood of all people born since World War II.
- DirectorMargreth OlinStarsAhmadAnne-LiseCristinThe movie follows students at Hauketo Continuation School the last months before the exams.
- DirectorBenedicte OrvungStarsInger Helene AndersenTrygve AndersenTurid BendiksenThe filmmaker discovers that her family has a dark secret. The brother of her grand father was one of Norway's most important Nazis during the German occupation of Norway. This has been a family secret until she turns 30.
- DirectorJørgen FribergMust world history be rewritten? Was William Shakespeare just a straw man for a secret brotherhood? Petter Amundsen claims he can prove this, but no Shakespeare experts will meet him until Robert Crumpton decides to come to Norway to tear Petter's theory to pieces.
- DirectorBrigitte BermanStarsLarry AdlerBobbie ArnsteinJoan BaezA look at the battles Hugh Hefner fought over the years against the U.S. government, the religious right, and militant feminists.
- DirectorElijah DrennerStarsRobert ForsterEric SchaeferEddie MullerA documentary about the history of exploitation movies, from the silent-film era to the 1970s.
- DirectorJanus MetzDanish soldiers are sent to Afghanistan in 2009 for 6 months, to help stabilize the country against the Taliban. They're stationed on Armadillo military base in Helman province. Unlike other war movies, this is the real deal - no actors.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreRoger B. SmithRhonda BrittonAfter General Motors closes its factory in Flint, Michigan, eliminating 35,000 jobs, filmmaker Michael Moore undertakes a quixotic quest to interview General Motors' chairman, Roger B. Smith.
- DirectorTom ShadyacStarsTom ShadyacDesmond TutuNoam ChomskyDirector Tom Shadyac speaks with intellectual and spiritual leaders about what's wrong with our world and how we can improve both it and the way we live in it.
- DirectorMartin ScorseseStarsMick JaggerKeith RichardsCharlie WattsA career-spanning documentary on The Rolling Stones, with concert footage from their "A Bigger Bang" tour.
- DirectorKirby DickStarsKirby DickKimberly PeirceDarren AronofskyKirby Dick's exposé about the American movie ratings board.
- DirectorRobert KennerStarsMichael PollanEric SchlosserRichard LobbAn unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.
- DirectorMorgan SpurlockStarsJ.J. AbramsPeter BergPaul BrennanA documentary about branding, advertising and product placement that is financed and made possible by brands, advertising and product placement.
- DirectorFredrik GerttenStarsByron Rosales RomeroJuan J. DominguezDuane MillerJuan "Accidentes" Dominguez is on his biggest case ever. On behalf of twelve Nicaraguan banana workers he is tackling Dole Food in a ground-breaking legal battle for their use of a banned pesticide that was known by the company to cause sterility.
- DirectorOndi TimonerStarsBjørn LomborgHashem AkbariJoe BartonA documentary that takes an alternative approach to dealing with the global warming crisis.
- DirectorNick BroomfieldJoan ChurchillStarsSarah PalinNick BroomfieldBarbara AdamsNick Broomfield goes in pursuit of Sarah Palin, interviewing her family and friends, for a decidedly unauthorized perspective on this growing force in American politics.
- DirectorHarry MosesStarsTeri HortonTod M. VolpeBen HellerIn this documentary, veteran filmmaker Harry Moses exposes the controversy in the world of high priced artwork. He paints a vivid picture of how art is bought and sold in America.
- DirectorAndrew CorveyAndrew W. RobinsonStarsYuri LowenthalThe history of the martial arts film genre.
- DirectorHenry JoostAriel SchulmanStarsNev SchulmanAriel SchulmanHenry JoostYoung filmmakers document their colleague's budding online friendship with a young woman and her family which leads to an unexpected series of discoveries.
- DirectorKari Anne MoeStarsHenrik WangbergSana El MorabitJohanne Butenschøn LindheimA documentary about youth politicians changes radically when a terrorist commits Utøya-massacre of 69 party kids while filming.
- DirectorKnut Erik JensenStarsOdd Marino FrantzenEinar F.L. StrandArne WenselMuch as Buena Vista Social Club revealed a rich and unexplored world of music and culture, Cool and Crazy introduces us to a group of men who find purpose, companionship and even fame, as members of a male choir in Berlevåg.
- DirectorEven BenestadAugust Baugstø HanssenStarsHariton PushwagnerA personal portrait of a small man with a great personality. The directors followed the artist Pushwagner for three years. He is an artist who is in danger of losing everything.
- DirectorLouis MalleStarsJean BobetJacques AnquetilRaymond PoulidorChronicles the cyclists of the Tour de France and their daily trails along the race.
- DirectorGunhild MagnorStarsGerd BergersenLillemor BerthelsenMary Holst BremstadA documentary about an unusual volleyball team in Hamar, Norway, with ladies aged from 66 to 98. Now they are up for their first match, after 30 years of training.
- DirectorEven BenestadStarsEspen BenestadElsa AlmåsElisabeth BenestadYoung film director Even Benestad tells the story of his own mother Espen Benestad who is a transgender woman and seeks her son's acceptance.
- DirectorEllen-Astri LundbyThe director tells the story about her mother's secret: She moved from the far North to Oslo after the 2nd World War, and kept it a secret that she was of Samish Lappish origin. She was ashamed to be from ethnic non-Norwegian origin.
- DirectorThomas LienStarsØyvind AamotThe true story of Øyvind Aamot, who suddenly lost 27 years of his memory.
- DirectorErlend E. MoThe story about detective Tore Sandberg and how he made in interest in the injustice that was made in a murder case against Fritz Moen.
- DirectorMargreth OlinA lot happens in a nursing home. Soft, close, maybe absent hands. Closed, open rooms with single or double beds. Married couples separated in different corridors. A society of it's own, with humor, madness, lust, sorrow, hope, even love.
- DirectorJeffrey BlitzStarsAngela ArenivarUbaldo ArenivarJorge ArenivarSpellbound follows eight teenagers on their quest to win the 1999 National Spelling Bee.
- DirectorMichael MooreStarsMichael MooreElaine BlyDan BurnsOn his book tour, Michael Moore exposes more wrongdoing by greedy big businesses and callous politicians around America.
- DirectorMads BrüggerStarsMads BrüggerHeather SchmidDanish journalist Mads Brügger goes undercover as a Liberian Ambassador to embark on a dangerous yet hysterical journey to uncover the blood diamond trade in Africa.
- DirectorGeorge ButlerRobert FioreStarsArnold SchwarzeneggerLou FerrignoMatty FerrignoArnold Schwarzenegger and Lou Ferrigno face off in a no-holds-barred competition for the title of Mr. Olympia in this critically-acclaimed film that made Schwarzenegger a household name.
- DirectorMark HartleyStarsPhillip AdamsGlory AnnenChristine AmorThe story of the Australian exploitation genre cinema of 1970s and 80s.
- DirectorNicholas JareckiStarsWoody AllenRobert Downey Jr.Neve CampbellNicholas Jarecki follows director James Toback on the 12-day shoot of his thriller, When Will I Be Loved -- a movie made without a script or distribution deal.
- DirectorAndrew RossiStarsDavid CarrSarah EllisonLarry IngrassiaUnprecedented access to the New York Times newsroom yields a complex view of the transformation of a media landscape fraught with both peril and opportunity.
- DirectorFrode FimlandStarsMagnar KleivaOddny KleivaThe siblings Magnar and Oddny, are in their 70'ies still living together on a remote mountain generation farm. Here time has stood still.
- DirectorMichael SchaapStarsIrwin GoldsteinMichael SchaapChip RoweThis movie tracks the history of a little pill that popped on to the market ten years ago, and turned the world upside down.
- DirectorJohn SullivanStarsThomas Rocco HansenSlick RickAn investigation into why young teenagers are willingly drawn into the porn industry, and without shyness participate in a porn movie with a known porn star.
- DirectorThomas ØstbyeStarsEmanuel AgaraAsgeir FøyenÅge GustadEmanuel's identity is unknown, and his life has been put on hold for eight years. He claims to be from Liberia, but the Norwegian authorities believes he's from Ghana. He can't be returned to a country he's not registered in.
- DirectorCindy MeehlStarsBuck BrannamanGary MyersBibb FrazierAn examination of the life of acclaimed 'horse whisperer' Buck Brannaman, who recovered from years of child abuse to become a well-known expert in the interactions between horses and people.
- DirectorMargreth OlinStarsMargreth OlinMaria HustadEline MelhuusWho creates the image of yourself? Why do we hate our bodies? Margreth Olin uses her own body, without a thread to find out why her self image has been ruined.
- DirectorJon GunnBrian HerzlingerBrett WinnStarsBrian HerzlingerDrew BarrymoreJohn AugustSince the second grade, Brian has had a crush on Drew Barrymore and now 20 years later he wants to fulfill his dream by asking her on a date.
- DirectorJonathan CaouetteStarsJonathan CaouetteRenee LeblancAdolph DavisFilmmaker Jonathan Caouette's documentary on growing up with his schizophrenic mother -- a mixture of snapshots, Super-8 film, answering machine messages, video diaries, early short films, and more - culled from nineteen years of his life.
- DirectorFrank ZappaStarsFrank ZappaAdrian BelewTommy MarsRock artist Frank Zappa hosts a concert in New York City. This movie contains tons of on-stage footage, off-stage footage, and animation.
- DirectorWim WendersStarsCompay SegundoIbrahim FerrerRubén GonzálezAging Cuban musicians whose talents had been virtually forgotten following Castro's takeover of Cuba, are brought out of retirement by Ry Cooder, who travelled to Havana in order to bring the musicians together, resulting in triumphant performances of extraordinary music, and resurrecting the musicians' careers.
- DirectorLarry CharlesStarsBill MaherTal BachmanJonathan BouldenBill Maher's take on the current state of world religion.
- DirectorJoe BerlingerBruce SinofskyStarsTony BrooksDiana DavisTerry WoodA horrific triple child murder leads to an indictment and trial of three nonconformist boys based on questionable evidence.
- DirectorSeth GordonStarsSteve WiebeBilly MitchellMark AlpigerDie-hard gamers compete to break world records on classic arcade games.
- DirectorJoe BerlingerBruce SinofskyStarsGary GitchellTodd MooreDana MooreA further followup of the case of the West Memphis Three and the decades long fight to exonerate them that finally gained traction with new DNA evidence.
- DirectorBanksyStarsBanksyMr. BrainwashSpace InvaderFollowing the style of some of the world's most prolific street artists, an amateur filmmaker makes a foray into the art world.
- DirectorD.A. PennebakerStarsBob DylanAlbert GrossmanBob NeuwirthDocumentary covering Bob Dylan's 1965 tour of England, which includes appearances by Joan Baez and Donovan.
- DirectorKevin BoothStarsJoe ArpaioJello BiafraOsama bin LadenWith commentary from soldiers on both sides of the conflict, filmmaker Kevin Booth's incisive documentary wades into the murky waters of the American war on drugs, the longest and costliest war in U.S. history.
- DirectorKevin BoothStarsDonald AbramsMiguel AvitiaDustin J. BenichouDirector Kevin Booth navigates through the cutting edge of Cannabis research while becoming a foster parent to a child court ordered to take powerful mind altering drugs.
- DirectorMatt HarlockPaul ThomasStarsBill HicksDwight SladeMary HicksPhoto-animated feature documentary, uniquely narrated by the 10 people who knew Bill best.
- DirectorIrene TaylorStarsSally TaylorDavid TaylorPaul TaylorA documentary memoir following a filmmaker's deaf parents as they receive a complex surgical implant, which allows them to experience sound for the first time.
- DirectorDon HahnStarsRoy Edward DisneyJohn LasseterMichael EisnerThe story of the Disney Renaissance, an incredibly prolific, successful and prestigious decade lasting from 1984 to 1994 that saw the fallen Walt Disney Animation Studios' unexpected progressive triumphant return to excellence.
- DirectorJoe BerlingerBruce SinofskyStarsJames HetfieldKirk HammettLars UlrichThe iconic metal band struggles for two years to create their album St. Anger, dealing with alcoholism, the loss of their bass player, and the challenge of working with a psychotherapist.
- DirectorNeil DiamondCatherine BainbridgeJeremiah HayesStarsAdam BeachChris EyreRussell MeansThe history of the depiction of Native Americans in Hollywood films.
- DirectorAndrzej FidykStarsKim HyokKim Joung-SoonLee Min-bokToday, more than 200.000 men, women and children are locked up in North Korea's concentration camps. Systematic torture, starvation and murder is what faces the inmates. Few survive many years in the camps, but the population is kept stable by a steady influx of new persons considered to be 'class enemies'. A small group of people have managed to flee from the camps to a new life in the prosperous South Korea. Some of them gather and decide to make an extraordinary and controversial musical about their experiences in the Yodok concentration camp. Despite death treats and many obstacles the musical becomes a tour de force for this ensemble of refugees and for them a possibility opens to talk about their experiences and inspire others to protest the existence of the camps.
- DirectorKevin BoothStarsAlex JonesEthan NadelmannJeff JosephFilmmaker Kevin Booth (American Drug War) offers this documentary that chronicles the exploding popularity of medical marijuana dispensaries in California and the mixed response from law enforcement agencies.
- DirectorRandy OlsonStarsMichael BeheJohn CalvertJack CashillFilmmaker and evolutionary biologist Randy Olson tries to figure out if it is the Darwinists or Intelligent Design supporters who will become a flock of dodos.
- 20061h 19mNot Rated6.7 (751)VideoDirectorTony HadlockJason HepplerJeremy NeishStarsMorena BaccarinKevin BachelderAdam BaldwinFirefly and Serenity have grown beyond the genius of Joss Whedon. The words Firefly and Browncoat have come to symbolize a sense of community, family, and believing that the impossible can be accomplished. These concepts are at the very heart of Firefly and of its fans. Adam Baldwin hosts the telling of this vivid Browncoat story that features interviews with Joss Whedon, creator of Firefly and Serenity, the cast, crew, and most important, the fans themselves. The story chronicles the rise, fall, and rebirth of the cult TV show "Firefly" as told from the perspective of the fans who helped save it. Fans of the TV show and movie share what inspired them to become passionate about Firefly, to help save Firefly, attend shindigs, participate in message boards, donate to charities, and become Serenity extras. They talk about the many ways that Firefly has affected their lives. The cast and crew also share humorous and insightful experiences.
- DirectorChris WhiteStarsChris WhiteMichael S. HeiserAncient Aliens Debunked is a 3 hour refutation of the theories proposed on the History Channel series Ancient Aliens. It is essentially a point by point critique of the "ancient astronaut theory" which has been proposed by people like Erich von Däniken and Zecharia Sitchin as well as many others. The film covers topics like: Ancient building sites: Puma Punku, The Pyramids, Baalbek, Incan sites, And Easter Island. Ancient artifacts: Pacal's rocket, the Nazca lines, the Tolima "fighter jets", the Egyptian "light bulb", Ufo's in ancient art, and the crystal skulls. Ancient text issues: Ezekiel's wheel, Ancient nuclear warfare, Vimana's, the Anunnaki, and the Nephilim.