Deflect Fruitful Discourse
The word “documentary” has become a shield.
People invoke it to dodge real film talk — usually because they haven’t seen enough movies to stay in the conversation. Let them off the hook, watch the topic wither.
Reality Bear Naked
Nobody watches docs. (Even the deflectors.) The discussion present topic is stand-alone documentary films. Docuseries & true crime do not fall under this umbrella. Entertainment plays a larger role in the appeal of those formats.
Most docs are dull. Educational by nature. Exercises in self-betterment.
The best encounter slow patches. Can we really blame folks for not watching?
The bottom line: documentary viewings are not sacred. The info should always be questioned. Aside from the facts, how are they trying to alter my opinion? There is almost always an underlying alternative motive. Typically a sociopolitical thrust. Helpful to recognize how you are being manipulated.
A certain streaming company is to blame here — the “Netflix Documentary” churn factory. Between 2012–2021 roughly 479 Original Netflix Documentaries were produced. These aren’t passion projects. They’re units of inventory masquerading as scholarship. The branding merely suggests scholarly integrity.
Saying, “I watched a documentary” is not the same as, “I watched a Netflix doc.” The latter must be specified b/c it really doesn’t count.
Time to trhcf
There’s a reason the form persists — and a reason the word still carries weight. Every so often, you find what I’d call a true documentary: a work made with conviction, not as content. These are films built on investigatory rigor, artistic intent and the belief that an audience deserves the truth. They educate without preaching, provoke and leave you better informed.
They’re rare tho. A list of the five best follows:
Top 5
All 5 of these represent the gold standard for true documentaries. Each offers a new perspective thru journalistic means.
My Octopus Teacher
A moving experience about the diver who connects with an octopus. All footage captured by the diver himself. Not produced by Netflix, yet distributed as a “Netflix Original Documentary.” Cheeky SOBs.
6 Days to Air
A revealing look into the production of a single South Park episode. (Debate for yourself whether “bastard” or “dumbass” is the funnier punchline.)
Apollo 11
Constructed entirely using archival footage. Potentially the TRUEST documentary ever — 100% reporting, zero opinion.
Red Army
The Russian national hockey team’s achievements thru technical innovation and sheer determination — and the ingenious ways they fought back against the West.
Becoming Led Zeppelin
Documents the band’s development from before creation up thru production of their second album. Only uses relevant talking heads (the band members).
Also Rans
Fat: A Documentary — Highly informative. Seeks to disassociate the viewer from preconceptions regarding the term “fat” and its impact in food. Mostly succeeds.
Hot Coffee — An eye-opening and informative piece on tort reform. The third act is less strong than the first two but worthwhile for reversing a popular misconception.
Super High Me — A satirical spinoff that far surpasses its predecessor in value. Achieves more thru the opposite approach: undemonization. Largely responsible for the normalization and eventual legalization of marijuana in American states.
March of the Penguins — Slightly glorified due to a Best Doc winner ’05, but still as enjoyable as learning gets. Those birds are complex and fascinating.
Winning: The Racing Life of Paul Newman – Acting and salad dressing; these just funded his real passion. Breaks down that element of his life.
Deceptively Ungood Documentaries
Before the Flood, Leonardo’s opus to climate change.
Super Size Me — Ended the Supersize option at McDonald’s and effectively cemented the demonization of all fast foods in public perception. Screened in my sophomore health class. My teacher was excellent; shows how pervasive the understanding was that Super Size Me was a scholarly source of truth. Much less scientific than it purports to be.
An Inconvenient Truth — Potentially even more widely regarded as a source of truth. Best Doc ’06. The title’s singular nature is ironic because a sequel was produced. It’s a rather expansive one truth, apparently.
Still Need to See
These are the big ones still on my list — the titles that might someday crack the Top 5.
The Endless Summer – Surfing doc from 1966.
Overnight – Behind-the-scenes look at the filming of The Boondock Saints.
Exit Thru the Gift Shop – On Banksee, the street artist.
Resurrect Dead: The Mystery of the Toynbee Tiles – A real life treasure hunt embedded in tile.
Searching For Sugarman – Some sort of journey looking for a mystery recording artist.
Man on Wire – Regarding the tight rope walking between the Twin Towers.
The Cove – The secret slaughter of Japanese dolphins.
Bowling for Columbine – The initial spark causing the explosion of documentary enthusiasm.
The Man Who Skied Down Everest – Best Doc ‘76. Sounds downright fascinating.
