19 Essential Documentary Films
19 titles
- 1
Salmon Fishing in the YemenMovie · 2012 · 107m · Drama, Romance, ComedyA fisheries expert is asked by a consultant to help a sheik establish fly-fishing in the desert. He takes on the challenge, traveling upstream on a journey of belief and angling, to demonstrate that something considered impossible can be achieved.IMDb 6.8TMDB 6.4 - 2
Noma: My Perfect StormMovie · 2015 · 100mThis film offers an intimate look inside the world of René Redzepi, the chef and co-owner of Noma, a restaurant that has been named the world's best four times. It’s a creative exploration of his distinctive approach to food.IMDb 6.3TMDB 6.3 - 3Netsilik Eskimos, V: At the Winter Sea Ice CampMovie · 1967 · 137mThis film documents a group establishing a camp and hunting seals in the challenging environment of late winter on the Arctic sea ice.IMDb 6.9TMDB 4.7
- 4Nicola Costantino: La artefactaMovie · 2015 · 75mNicola Costantino is a highly debated and respected artist from Latin America. This documentary chronicles the career of the visual artist, starting with the beginnings of her work and continuing through her participation in the 2013 Venice Biennale.IMDb 6.9TMDB 8.8
- 5
BarbecueMovie · 2017 · 102mBarbecue is more than just cooking food; it's a deeply held tradition practiced globally. For many, it represents a spiritual connection and national identity. The stories shared while gathered around the grill foster a sense of community and global unity.IMDb 6.5TMDB 7.4 - 6
Off the GridMovie · 2011This DVD features films shot over two years while traveling the world to film fly fishing in unique locations. The films share a common thread: exploring places our crew considered unusual. We intentionally focused on lesser-known waters, hatches, and fishing spots, presenting even familiar regions from a fresh perspective. The DVD offers over two hours of fly fishing footage.IMDb 6.4 - 7
Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of BeliefMovie · 2015 · 120m · Documentary, TV MovieGOING CLEAR closely examines the experiences of eight former members of the Church of Scientology, revealing the methods used to draw people in and the actions taken in the name of their faith.IMDb 8.0TMDB 7.6 - 8
The Science of InterstellarMovie · 2014 · 51m · DocumentaryMatthew McConaughey introduces a detailed exploration of Christopher Nolan's science fiction film, 'Interstellar'. The film's scientific basis is examined, including the contributions of theoretical physicist Kip Thorne, core thematic ideas, and the science behind finding habitable planets. Topics covered include space-time, relativity, wormholes, black holes, and how the film’s visuals were developed using real scientific data. The synopsis also addresses the universe's origins, the Dust Bowl and dust as a toxin, potential future dust storms, escaping a dying Earth, and the possibility of colonizing Mars.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.9 - 9
The Milky WayMovie · 2014 · 93mThis film aims to spark a similar conversation about breastfeeding in America as 'Food, Inc.' did about the food industry. It encourages viewers to reconsider motherhood and the support mothers receive. The film intends to empower women to trust their instincts as mothers, their babies, and themselves. Expect a range of emotions – laughter, tears, agreement, anger, and ultimately, inspiration to make a difference.IMDb 7.2TMDB 7.0 - 10
Faces PlacesMovie · 2017 · 94m · DocumentaryFilmmaker Agnès Varda and artist JR travel across the French countryside and develop an unexpected bond.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.6 - 11
Kurosawa's WayMovie · 2011 · 52mEleven prominent filmmakers from Europe, America, and Asia discuss Akira Kurosawa and reveal unexpected influences on their filmmaking.IMDb 7.1TMDB 5.4 - 12
Great Bolshy Yarblockos!: Making 'A Clockwork Orange'Movie · 2007 · 28mThis documentary chronicles Stanley Kubrick's making of *A Clockwork Orange*, a film that remains deeply controversial even three decades later. The film sparked intense debate upon its release. Through interviews with those who worked with him – filmmakers, screenwriters, and authors – the documentary reveals Kubrick as an artist consistently willing to take risks, embracing controversy in his pursuit of uncompromising artistic excellence.IMDb 6.9TMDB 6.0 - 13
Kiss the WaterMovie · 2013 · 80mSet in Scotland's remote northern highlands, this film explores the life and significant impact of Megan Boyd, a master fly-maker. Boyd, a self-taught artisan, rose to international fame, becoming a supplier to notable figures like Prince Charles. Eric Steel’s poetic documentary combines interviews, animation, and visuals of the beautiful Scottish landscape to tell a story about finding fulfillment in a solitary life and unexpectedly leaving a lasting legacy.IMDb 6.9TMDB 5.5 - 14
The Panama PapersMovie · 2018 · 100m · Documentary, CrimeThis documentary film chronicles the largest global corruption scandal ever exposed, focusing on the hundreds of journalists who put themselves in danger to reveal the truth.IMDb 7.1TMDB 6.7 - 15
ScarecrowMovie · 2012 · 53mIn the rice paddies of Morelos, Mexico, humans and birds wage a daily battle for food. The human scarecrow is a unique profession, employing humor, shouts, and whips to deter crows. This film transports us to an old-fashioned, almost dreamlike world where they fight against birds, nature, and the encroaching forces of modernization.IMDb 7.8TMDB 7.0 - 16
Clockwork Orange CountyMovie · 2012 · 73mWhile often misunderstood, a generation embraced a distinctive style: leather jackets, spiked hair, and tattoos. Unbeknownst to many, a small club in Costa Mesa, California became the unlikely birthplace of a multi-billion dollar youth culture that continues to this day. This is the story of the Cuckoo's Nest of the late 1970s and early 1980s. Using archival footage alongside newly discovered material, the film offers an intimate look at the movement's origins, a haven for a particular youth culture, and the reactions of a fearful establishment and a police force struggling to comprehend the phenomenon.IMDb 6.5TMDB 6.0 - 17
Food EvolutionMovie · 2017 · 92mWith a growing global population, society faces challenges in feeding everyone safely and sustainably, leading to conflict between scientists and consumers fueled by fear and distrust. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, *Food Evolution* examines the contentious debate surrounding genetically modified organisms (GMOs). By exploring how food science has been used throughout history and continues to be applied today, the film advocates for informed decision-making based on scientific understanding in a culture that is increasingly wary of both.IMDb 6.9TMDB 7.1 - 18
The Furious Gods: Making PrometheusMovie · 2012 · 220mThis documentary offers a detailed look at the creation of Ridley Scott's "Prometheus," including interviews with the cast and crew, plus outtakes and behind-the-scenes footage. Available on the 4-disc Collector's Edition Blu-ray.IMDb 8.2TMDB 7.2 - 19
A Clockwork OrangeMovie · 1971 · 137m · Science Fiction, CrimeIn a near-future Britain, a young man named Alexander DeLarge and his friends find pleasure in violence and sexual assault. He is also deeply moved by Beethoven's music. To address rising juvenile crime, the government offers DeLarge an option: a procedure that will eliminate his ability to make independent choices. In a society where morality is rare, can DeLarge find a way to change?IMDb 8.2TMDB 8.2
