Movies provide movie-lovers with a great way to escape reality and explore people, events, and circumstances around the world. Documentary movies are one of the best ways to get an inside look at our world, providing audiences with a glimpse of interesting people, amazing stories, and remarkable events. To honor this genre here are eight of the best documentary movies of all time that everyone should watch.
1. Spellbound (2002) – This documentary follows eight Middle and Upper-grade students as they prepare for the 1999 National Spelling Bee. It dives into their homes, families, and stories to provide a unique insight into the world of competitive spelling.
2. Food, Inc. (2008) – Food, Inc. provides viewers with an in-depth look at the industrial food system and the impact agriculture has on our society. This documentary highlights the ethical and health-related issues with the food distribution industry.
3. The Cove (2009) – This documentary is about the massacres of dolphins in the fishing town of Taiji, Japan. It follows a team of divers, scientists, and activists as they seek to expose the truth of the annual hunting of dolphins and to advocate for the species.
4. Man on Wire(2008) – This documentary follows Philippe Petit, a French high wire artist as he attempts to walk a tightrope between the two towers of the World Trade Center in 1974. It paints a vivid portrait of a dreamer and his seemingly impossible dream.
5. Hoop Dreams (1994) – Hoop Dreams follows the stories of two young African-American basketball players from Chicago and their dreams of becoming professional basketball players. It provides an in-depth look at the pressures and challenges faced by young athletes.
6. The Act of Killing (2012) – This documentary follows a group of former Indonesian death squad leaders who reenact their violent crimes in the style of the American movies they love. It offers a haunting look at the lingering effects of violence on victims and perpetrators.
7. An Inconvenient Truth (2006) – An Inconvenient Truth follows Al Gore’s campaign to educate and alert the world about global warming. It showcases the incredible effects of climate change and the urgent need to act quickly.
8. 20 Feet from Stardom (2013) – This Academy Award-winning documentary highlights the untold stories of the backup singers for some of the most legendary musicians in history. It celebrates the unsung heroes of the music industry.
Behind the Scenes of Documentary Movies
Documentary movies are often created with the goal of uncovering the truth or exposing injustice to the world. These movies often involve months or years of research, investigation, and filming. Producers and directors strive to challenge viewers to think differently through their stories and the ways they capture their subject material on screen.
The process requires the gathering of extensive documentation, interviews, and footage. Creating documentary movies are usually a collaborative effort between filmmakers, researchers, sound technicians, and editors. Documentary movies are an artful endeavor, utilizing the skill of the filmmakers to capture moments that enlighten, inform, and touch hearts.
The best documentary movies are able to elevate audience understanding and shape the perception of both issues and people. The presentation of the stories can create influences of emotions and open the eyes to new ideas and ways of looking at facts. Whether the goal is to inform, educate, or simply tell a story, the impact of documentary movies can be immense.
Different Types of Documentary
Documentary movies encompass a range of topics, including historical events, biographies, economy, culture, nature, science, and social issues. Each form of documentary has a different style and purpose. For example, biographical documentaries use real stories to explore the life of a person. By constructing a narrative arc, biographical documentaries bring life to characters and give viewers a closer look at their motivations and accomplishments.
In addition, there are nature documentaries that explore different ecosystems and the species found in them. Nature documentaries can make use of beautiful cinematography and special effects to draw crowds into the wild. These documentaries are often created with the intent to educate viewers about the importance of natural habitats and the dangers of climate change.
Finally, there are observational documentaries which capture real-life human situations with minimal intervention. These documentaries provide audiences with an insight into the vulnerabilities and complexities of humanity.
