Check out this list of recommended documentaries by Jenica and the other Writing with Video filmmakers and instructors. If you have a documentary you want to add to the list, just talk to me or email me the name. (Info is copied from Netflix)
- An Inconvenient Truth (2006). BEST DOCUMENTARY. Director-producer Davis Guggenheim (HBO’s “Deadwood”) captures former Vice President Al Gore in the midst of waging a passionate campaign — not for the White House, but for the environment — in this Oscar-winning documentary. Laying out the facts of global warming without getting political, Gore makes a sobering impression on the audiences who hear his message, urging them to act “boldly, quickly and wisely” … before it’s too late.
- A State of Mind (2004). Two young North Korean gymnasts prepare for an unprecedented competition in this documentary that offers a rare look into the communist society and the daily lives of North Korean families. For more than eight months, film crews follow 13-year-old Pak Hyon Sun and 11-year-old Kim Song Yun and their families as the girls train for the Mass Games, a spectacular nationalist celebration involving thousands of performers.
- Annie Leibovitz: Life Through A Lens (2008). This documentary takes an in-depth look at the influential career of iconic photographer Annie Leibovitz, from her earliest artistic efforts to her storied tenure at Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair magazines and beyond. Intimately filmed by Annie’s sister Barbara Leibovitz, the program features interviews with the artist as she works at home, along with telling insights from many of the celebrities she has photographed, such as Mick Jagger.
- Art of the Steal, The (2009). A gripping tale of intrigue and mystery in the art world, this film traces the history of the Barnes collection of Post-Impressionist paintings, which was worth billions and became the subject of a power struggle after the 1951 death of the owner. Dr. Albert Barnes collected 181 Renoirs, 69 Cézannes, 59 Matisses, 46 Picassos and many other valuable paintings. But the political wrangling over the collection eventually led to its division.
- Babies (2010). Documentary filmmaker Thomas Balmes charts the simultaneous early development of four babies from different parts of the world, illustrating what makes human life unique, similar and precious wherever it occurs. Training his camera on newborns Hattie from San Francisco, Ponijao from Namibia, Bayarjargal from Mongolia and Mari from Tokyo, Balmes captures everything from first screaming breaths to first steps.
- Ballerina (2009). Filmmaker Bertrand Normand’s fascinating documentary profiles five outstanding Russian ballerinas from the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre (the renamed Kirov Ballet), following them from grueling rehearsals to flawless performances around the globe. Dancers in the spotlight include gifted 18-year-old Alina Somova, the newest Mariinsky ballerina, along with Svetlana Zakharova, Evguenya Obraztsova, Diana Vishneva and Uliana Lopatkina.
- Beauty Academy of Kabul, The (2006). Proving that vanity and the pursuit of beauty are universal, this 2004 documentary tracks a group of American women (including some Afghan émigrés from the 1980s) who open a beauty school in Afghanistan. Though there are culture clashes aplenty, moments of true kinship also transpire over curling rods and comb-outs as these women from divergent worlds labor in the name physical beauty in director Liz Mermin’s refreshing film.
- Between the Folds (2008). Filmmaker Vanessa Gould takes you on a provocative odyssey into the mesmerizing world of modern origami, where artists and scientists use the ancient art form to craft works of delicate beauty and to model cutting-edge mathematical theories. Pushing the envelope of origami to include caricatured portraits and elaborate abstract designs, these experts examine how paper folding can reveal the profound connection between art, science and philosophy.
- Bill T. Jones: Dancing to the Promised Land (1994). Celebrated choreographer Bill T. Jones is known for concocting dances unlike any other. Melding concept with physical grace, Jones explores the politics of real life in his work, infusing it with social issues pertinent in today’s society. This dance documentary traces the creation of one of his most famous pieces, “Last Supper at Uncle Tom’s Cabin/The Promised Land,” and examines why it remains one of Jones’s most unforgettable shows.
- Born into Brothels (2004). BEST DOCUMENTARY. British filmmaker Zana Briski’s Oscar-winning documentary is a portrait of several unforgettable children who live in Calcutta’s red-light district, where their mothers work as prostitutes to ensure their survival. Spurred by the kids’ fascination with her camera, Briski decides to teach them photography. As they begin to look at and record their world through new eyes, the kids awaken to their own talents and sense of worth.
- Dark Days (2000). Documentarian Marc Singer trains his camera on a group of homeless people who live deep underground in an abandoned New York City railroad tunnel and scavenge for food on the mean streets of Manhattan. At night, they retreat to the tunnel, where they’ve built huts out of scrap metal, plastic and plywood. Amazingly, they have electricity, furniture, working kitchens — and a sense of community that many surface dwellers would envy.
- Deliver Us From Evil (2006). Oscar Nominee. This unsettling Oscar-nominated documentary from filmmaker Amy Berg investigates the life of 30-year pedophile Father Oliver O’Grady and exposes the corruption inside the Catholic Church that allowed him to abuse countless children. Victims’ stories and a disturbing interview with O’Grady offer a view into the troubled mind of the spiritual leader who moved from parish to parish gaining trust … all the while betraying so many. Recommended by Mike M.
- Devil’s Playground (2002). When Amish teens turn 16, they have the opportunity to venture out in the “Devil’s Playground” (the Amish’s term for the outside world) and indulge in 21st-century vices such as drinking and smoking — a period called “Rumspringa.” This documentary tracks 18-year-old Faron’s struggle to reconcile his drug addiction with his deeply ingrained desire to live his parents’ Amish life. But ultimately, committing to the church will be his decision. Recommended by Mike M.
- Every Little Step (2008). Go backstage for an up-close look at a Broadway production with this entertaining documentary that follows hopeful dancers as they audition for coveted spots in the 2006 revival of “A Chorus Line.” Drawing parallels between the interactions of the aspiring actors and the events of the play, filmmakers Adam Del Deo and James D. Stern also intercut interview footage of composer Marvin Hamlisch and dancers from the original Broadway production. Recommended by Mike M.
- F for Fake (1973). In this free-form documentary from the one and only Orson Welles — his final major directorial effort — the famed storyteller zigzags through a sardonic, fanciful tale of how art manages to amaze and fool us, often simultaneously. With faux determination, Welles examines the charismatic Elmyr de Hory — who makes pretty good money forging Picassos — while also offering a look at biographer Clifford Irving and even a peek into his own deceptions.
- Fog of War, The (2003). BEST DOCUMENTARY. This Oscar-winning documentary traces former Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara’s career from government to the World Bank; but his work during the Vietnam War — examined through archival footage and interviews — is the real highlight. Having worked for both presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, McNamara played a key role in shaping both administrations’ approaches to the conflict. Recommended by Kim D.
- Food, Inc. (2008). Oscar Nominee. Drawing on Eric Schlosser’s Fast Food Nation and Michael Pollan’s The Omnivore’s Dilemma, director Robert Kenner’s Oscar-nominated documentary explores the food industry’s detrimental effects on our health and environment. Kenner spotlights the men and women who are working to reform an industry rife with monopolies, questionable interpretations of laws and subsidies, political ties and rising rates of E. coli outbreaks.
- Good Hair (2009). Actor and stand-up comic Chris Rock hops around the world going from beauty salons to science labs to comb through the mystery of African American hair in director Jeff Stilson’s astute, hilarious documentary. Rock contemplates the purpose and application of a weave as well as women’s self-esteem and their locks. He also gains varying insights from Ice-T, Nia Long, Rev. Al Sharpton, Raven-Symoné, Maya Angelou and other celebrities.
- Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker’s Apocalypse (1991). It’s Francis Ford Coppola vs. natural catastrophe, crazy actors, the Philippine government and crushing self-doubt in this unbelievable account of the making of the 1979 classic Apocalypse Now. Behind-the-scenes location footage is combined with candid 1990 interviews of cast and crew members; the result is a fascinating portrait of a director plunged into the very obsession he sought to portray on film.
- Helvetica (2007) We use it every day on our computers, we see it on street signs — and we take it for granted. Now, Gary Hustwit’s unique documentary introduces us to Helvetica, a font whose readability has made it the most popular in the world. Interviews with designers and artists offer insight into the development, use and universal acceptance of Helvetica as the typeface of choice for everything from writing letters to creating corporate logos.
- Jay McCarroll: Eleven Minutes (2008). This revealing documentary follows Jay McCarroll, the delightfully sarcastic winner of “Project Runway” season 1, as he prepares his first post-”Runway” show for New York’s Fashion Week and weathers the ups and downs of a cutthroat fashion industry. With humor and candor, filmmakers Michael Selditch and Robert Tate rip seams to expose McCarroll’s creative process and his arduous road to fashion’s ultimate runway.
- King of Kong, The: A Fistful of Quarters (2007). When Steve Wiebe got laid off, he turned to the classic arcade game Donkey Kong for solace; soon, he decided to challenge Billy Mitchell’s long-standing record score. So began the bitter rivalry that lies at the heart of this curiously compelling documentary. Providing a history of competitive video gaming and a look at some of the key players, The King of Kong is at its best when revealing just how far Mitchell will go to retain his crown. Recommended by Elise B.
- Lost in La Mancha (2002). Filmmakers Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe chronicle the making of a movie that was never actually completed in this documentary about Terry Gilliam’s repeated (and repeatedly failed) attempts to bring the story of Don Quixote to the big screen. In the end, it seems Gilliam’s passionate project — which starred Johnny Depp, Vanessa Paradis and Jean Rochefort — metamorphosed into the impossible dream.
- Mad Hot Ballroom (2005). Ballroom dancing goes from lame to cool for a group of New York City students in this insightful documentary, which follows a group of 11-year-olds as they learn to dance old-school styles including the merengue, rumba, tango, foxtrot and swing. Candid interviews capture the kids’ initial reluctance at learning ballroom dance and their transformation into serious competitors determined to win a citywide competition.
- Man on Wire (2008) BEST DOCUMENTARY. Philippe Petit captured the world’s attention in 1974 when he successfully walked across a high wire between New York’s Twin Towers. This Oscar winner for Best Documentary explores the preparations that went into the stunt as well as the event and its aftermath. Obsessed with the towers even before they were fully constructed, Petit sneaked into the buildings several times to determine the equipment he needed to accomplish his daring feat.
- March of the Penguins (2004) BEST DOCUMENTARY. Award-winning photographer Luc Jacquet takes documentary film to new heights — and depths — with his first feature film, a stunning insider’s look at the life of emperor penguins living in one of the cruelest climates on the planet. The product of more than a year of filming on the Antarctic ice, this Oscar-winning documentary reveals never-before-captured footage of the penguins’ underwater life and explores their steadfast quest for monogamy.
- Mondovino (2005). An Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival, Jonathan Nossiter’s documentary examines the politics of the global wine industry and pits big business against the little guy. Nossiter toured Europe, South America and the United States for interviews with consultants from multinational corporations, “peasant” owners of family-run wineries steeped in tradition, and a variety of industry experts including influential wine critic Robert Parker.
- Monster Camp (2007). For one weekend a month, die-hard gamers leave the real world for the fantasy of live-action role playing. This award-winning documentary examines this make-believe world at the Seattle franchise of NERO (New England Role-playing Organization). As players become warriors, creatures, sorcerers and other assorted characters, filmmaker Cullen Hoback goes inside the subculture to ask what this make-believe world means to its dedicated inhabitants.
- Mr. Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A. Leuchter Jr (1999). Oscar-winning documentarian Errol Morris’s riveting film explores the life of Fred A. Leuchter, the execution specialist who worked to make capital punishment more humane — but achieved infamy for his opinions on the holocaust. Hired by a revisionist historian, Leuchter traveled to Auschwitz — on his honeymoon — to conduct research and concluded that the gas chambers didn’t exist. The ensuing international flap destroyed his marriage and career.
- Murderball (2005) Oscar Nominee. Rugby-playing quadriplegics compete for the Paralympic gold medal in this documentary about an amazing sport — and the strong-willed athletes who participate in full-contact rugby using specially designed wheelchairs. The film, which walked away with the 2005 Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival, follows the U.S. Quad Rugby Team as they compete in the 2002 World Championships and the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens.
- My Best Fiend: Klaus Kinski (1999). Take a closer look at the tempestuous-yet-legendary pairing of two creative giants of the film industry: Werner Herzog and Klaus Kinski. Their love-hate relationship yielded five films, including Aguirre, The Wrath of God — as well as independently, simultaneously hatched plans to murder each other. Rage, trust, betrayal, destruction; truth really is stranger than fiction.
- Note by Note: The Making of Steinway L1037 (2007). Documentary filmmaker Ben Niles chronicles the creation of Steinway pianos and the vanishing breed of craftsmen who build them. Follow the journey of these beautifully handcrafted, unique instruments from the factory to great concert halls. Interviews with such world-famous artists as Lang Lang, Harry Connick Jr., Hank Jones and many others highlight how Steinway grand pianos are selected by musicians.
- Objectified (2009). Discover how manufactured objects that surround us such as cars, phones and chairs influence our daily lives with this revealing documentary, which features top industrial designers discussing their creative processes and professional objectives. Director Gary Hustwit (Helvetica) explores not only how objects get made, but also why they make us feel the way they do and how they can make our world better.
- Paris is Burning (1990). CLASSIC. Penetrating the tight-knit community of minority drag queens living in New York City, Jennie Livingston’s acclaimed documentary offers an early glimpse at the art of “voguing,” the underground dance style later popularized by Madonna in her hit song. The film also explores issues such as racism, homophobia and AIDS, while offering a detailed examination of the intricate Ball culture, in which queens are judged for their style and expression.
- Planet B-Boy (2007). This Tribeca Film Festival selection affords viewers exclusive access to the underground world of break dancing, charting the highs and lows of five B-boy teams practicing for the all-important “Battle of the Year.” Combining stunning dance footage from Japan, Germany, South Korea, France and the United States, documentarian Benson Lee sets out to show that break dancing didn’t fade into history — it merely evolved into a remarkable art form.
- Pressure Cooker (2008). Three Philadelphia high school students negotiate the challenges of the inner city and the demands of their tough-minded culinary arts teacher, Wilma Stephenson, to become contenders in a citywide cooking competition. Charming and surprisingly hilarious, Jennifer Grausman and Mark Becker’s inspiring documentary showcases the heights young minds can reach, regardless of their environment, when they’re expected to succeed.
- Prodigal Sons (2008). In high school, Kimberly Reed was male, a straight-A student and captain of the football team. But since leaving his rural Montana hometown, he’s become a woman — and a filmmaker whose documentary could not be any more personal. Half the story involves her attending her high school reunion as a transgendered female; the other half involves reuniting with her siblings, including her estranged adopted brother.
- Roger & Me (1989). In this blistering, satirical documentary, ex-journalist Michael Moore gives a personal account of the tough times in his hometown of Flint, Mich., after the General Motors plant was closed in the mid-1980s. The film revolves around Moore’s dogged attempts to gain an interview with Roger Smith, the elusive and well-insulated head of GM and the man responsible for massive layoffs that eliminated more than 30,000 jobs and left the town destitute.
- Seamless (2005). A decade after making his documentary Unzipped — which followed flamboyant designer Isaac Mizrahi — fashion photographer Douglas Keeve again trains his lens on the world of haute couture, this time trailing three finalists in a Vogue-sponsored contest to support the next generation of designers. Who will win the coveted award: the shy Doo Ri Chung, the secretive Alexandre Plokhov or the cocksure team of Lazaro Hernandez and Jack McCollough?
- Second Skin (2008). This documentary showcases how computer games’ virtual worlds are transforming the lives of ordinary people, profiling a couple who fall in love online, a man addicted to playing games for hours on end and a tight-knit Indiana gaming community. Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza directs this riveting film that looks at video game culture and features interviews with players, designers, psychologists and critics.
- September Issue, The (2008). Director R.J. Cutler’s documentary offers a rare look inside Vogue as the fashion magazine’s influential editor, Anna Wintour, and creative director, Grace Coddington, produce the highly anticipated September issue. Cutler captures the demanding creative process in action for nine months, following perfectionist Wintour and stylist Coddington as they attend fashion week in Europe, endless photo shoots and intense staff meetings.
- Spellbound (2002). Oscar Nominee. This Oscar-nominated entry documents the intense experience of the National Spelling Bee as seen through the eyes of eight young spellers, with viewers glimpsing the kids’ private lives as they train for and compete in the ultimate cerebral showdown. While they try to keep their eyes on the $10,000 prize, their personal stories illuminate their quirks, their obsessive study habits and their alternately heartbreaking and inspiring family dynamics.
- Super Size Me (2004). Oscar Nominee. On the heels of recent lawsuits against McDonald’s, director Morgan Spurlock takes a hilarious and often terrifying look at the effects of fast food on the human body, using himself as the proverbial guinea pig. For one month, Spurlock eats nothing but McDonald’s, ordering everything on the menu and “super-sizing” his order whenever asked. The result is a sobering examination of the line between personal and corporate responsibility.
- Suzanne Farrell: Elusive Muse (1996). Oscar Nominee. For over 20 years, ballerina Suzanne Farrell was the last muse and quintessential interpreter of choreographer George Balanchine. Through numerous interviews with Farrell, her mother, dance partner, Jacques d’Amboise and others, this documentary traces her development as a dancer and expores the dramatic story of her relationship with “Mr. B” and the years following his death.
- Tales from the Script (2009). Dozens of acclaimed Hollywood screenwriters discuss their successes and failures, share amusing anecdotes and insider insights, and reveal their experiences with big-name actors and directors in this fascinating documentary. Writers include William Goldman (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver), John Carpenter (Halloween), Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption) and many others.
- Thin Blue Line, The (1988). CLASSIC. Filmmaker Errol Morris’s gripping investigation into the murder of a Dallas police officer was responsible for freeing the man who was originally — and erroneously — charged with and convicted of the crime. Through archival footage, interviews and reenactments, Morris skillfully makes a case for the innocence of a man who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Widely acclaimed, this breakthrough documentary won numerous awards.
- Unmistaken Child (2008). Filmmaker Nati Baratz follows the spellbinding journey of Tibetan Buddhist monk Tenzin Zopa as he travels far and wide to identify the child who is the reincarnation of his deceased master, Lama Konchog. Acting on instructions from the Dalai Lama, the shy Zopa relies on astrology, dreams and other signs to locate the child, knowing that if he succeeds, he must also convince the boy’s parents to release their child into his care. Recommended by Ash (WwV instructor)
- Valentino: The Last Emperor (2008). Tracing Valentino’s life from his 70th birthday to his final couture show, this fashionable documentary captures the spirit of the legendary designer’s influence on the style and substance of the way we look. Highlights include an intimate, behind-the-scenes peek at his relationship with longtime business partner and lover Giancarlo Giammetti, as well as an up-close and personal look at the designer’s creative process.