Documentaries provide us with valuable information and insights that can help us understand and appreciate the world in new ways. These 10 must-see documentaries explore a range of issues, from the impact of the food industry on our health to the struggles for acceptance experienced by LGBTQ+ people of color. They also highlight the failings of the criminal justice system and the military justice system when it comes to addressing sexual assault. Each of these films challenges us to think more deeply about the world around us and our place in it, and to be active participants in creating a brighter future for all.
10 Must-See Documentaries That Will Change Your Perspective
Documentaries have a way of opening our eyes and changing our perspectives on the world. They provide us with critical information and offer us glimpses into the lives of people and communities we may never have had the privilege of getting to know otherwise. Documentaries also offer us an opportunity to learn and grow in ways we never imagined. Here are 10 must-see documentaries that will change your perspective:
1. What the Health
What the Health is a groundbreaking documentary that explores the relationship between the food industry and our health. The film examines the relationship between meat and dairy consumption and chronic diseases such as heart disease and cancer. It also investigates the impact of the pharmaceutical industry on healthcare systems worldwide.
2. 13th
13th is a documentary that explores the history of racial inequality in the United States and the implications of that inequality on African Americans today. The documentary’s title refers to the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution, which abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime.
3. Blackfish
Blackfish is a documentary that explores the ethics of keeping orcas in captivity. The film tells the story of Tilikum, a killer whale that was involved in the deaths of three people while in captivity. Blackfish raises important questions about the treatment of animals in captivity and the impact of human activity on marine ecosystems.
4. The True Cost
The True Cost is a documentary that explores the environmental and social impact of the fast-fashion industry. The film examines the human and environmental cost of producing cheap, disposable clothing and the impact of this industry on workers and their communities.
5. Paris is Burning
Paris is Burning is a documentary that explores the New York City ball culture of the 1980s. The film offers a glimpse into the lives of LGBTQ+ people of color and their struggles for acceptance and equality. Paris is Burning is a celebration of queer culture and a reminder that LGBTQ+ people have always been a vibrant and integral part of our communities.
6. The Act of Killing
The Act of Killing is a documentary that explores the Indonesian killings of 1965 and 1966. The film asks the perpetrators of the killings to reenact their crimes for the camera, offering a chilling insight into the minds of those who commit acts of extreme violence.
7. 5 Broken Cameras
5 Broken Cameras is a documentary that tells the story of the Palestinian village of Bil’in, which was cut off from its olive groves and fields by the construction of the Israeli separation wall. The film highlights the resilience of the village’s residents and the power of nonviolent resistance.
8. The Central Park Five
The Central Park Five is a documentary that explores the case of five black and Latino teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of raping a white woman in New York City’s Central Park in 1989. The film offers a powerful critique of the criminal justice system and the media’s role in shaping public opinion.
9. The Invisible War
The Invisible War is a documentary that explores the epidemic of sexual assault in the US military. The film tells the stories of survivors and exposes the failings of the military justice system in addressing this issue.
10. The Hunting Ground
The Hunting Ground is a documentary that explores sexual assault on college campuses in the United States. The film highlights the prevalence of sexual assault on college campuses and the failure of colleges and universities to adequately respond to these crimes.
Each of these 10 documentaries offers a unique perspective on the world and the issues we face as a society. They offer us an opportunity to learn, grow, and empathize with people whose experiences may differ from our own. They challenge us to think critically about the world around us and to be active participants in making it a better place.