Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with documentaries

Documentaries similar to BBC's "Toughest Place to Be a.."

ethelwulf — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 19:02:21 -0800

Hi mefi-ers. I'm a documentary film enthusiast.. I have seen the few that are available for free on youtube, titles from the 'Human Rights Watch' festival (eg 'Rafea Solar Mama), a couple of Iranian ones (eg 'Buddha Collapsed out of Shame), 'Seeking Asian Female', etc. I also love marine animal/ecosystem-related documentaries However, I must say that my most preferred are those involving different cultures and socioeconomic status and the problems therein. I particularly love the BBC series as it sheds light into ways of living I'd normally not be aware of (ie, of tribes such as the Samburu who are nomadic pastoralists). 'Rafea Solar Mama' was also of a similar vein (it focused on the Bedouin people), and I also enjoyed Channel 4's short series on the Amish.

I'd therefore like to ask if anyone here knows of any other series or titles I'd be likely to enjoy?

Thanks very much

Spanish language documentaries

ocherdraco — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:28:16 -0800

I am looking for Spanish language documentaries (with English subtitles) that I can watch online, through Amazon, Hulu, Netflix, etc. What are your favorites?

Documentaries and other films about writers, libraries and books wanted!

Frowner — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 06:29:22 -0800

I'm especially interested in films about writers of color and writers from the global south. Any kind of film is fine - need not be a documentary. But a progressive/radical/critical outlook is appreciated! Particularly looking for films that will appeal to an intelligent but not super-theorized audience - ie, that documentary about Derrida is not what we're looking for, and even the recent one about Zizek is an edge case. I'm part of a book-focused radical project. We're looking to show some films about books! The audience is basically left-wing nerds, so you can assume some patience with difficult ideas or unusual pacing. Not too much with the "sexy, sexy reading" angle, though (The Pillow Book is the kind of thing we'd avoid) since this is for a fairly general audience and honestly, many of those "sexy, sexy reading" movies have kind of screwed up gender and/or racial politics anyway.

But otherwise, recommend away! Kids' movies are also welcome!

Planet Earth-esque documentaries focusing on cities, etc.?

archagon — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 01:35:33 -0800

I love Planet Earth, Life, and other documentaries that David Attenborough is associated with -- as much for the educational value as for the beautiful cinematography and show-not-tell approach. They're works of art in and of themselves. Are there any documentaries in a similar vein that focus on cities, architecture, landmarks, and other human creations? For example, it would be incredible to explore Tokyo through the same lens!

New kinds of stories on the Internet?

mooza — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 22:28:34 -0800

I've been enjoying the Emmy-winning High Rise online documentary project and things like the Hackney Hear geo-locative app - looking for recommendations of other cool experiments in the realm of storytelling. Film, online, audio - whatever! Just NEW and DIFFERENT. Level Two request: recommendations of websites or blogs that discuss or review these sorts of projects - I just want to keep up with this sort of thing! Thanks all!

Can you recommend documentaries that explain world conflicts?

Tarumba — Sun, 23 Sep 2012 18:17:02 -0800

I just finished watching The First World War and now I want more! Can you recommend your favourite documentaries on History, particularly conflicts/war? I prefer a geopolitical focus (as in maps of the territories, graphic representations of strategies, what countries unied, what empires were divided in to what, etc.) I can finally say I have at least a clue about how or why the WWI came to happen. I would like to understand other conflicts/revolutions in the same way. I am looking for these subjects in particular, but other recommendations will be appreciated, too..

WWII and the years between WWI and WWII <-- (most wanted)
Yugoslavia and the war in the Balkans
Emancipation of European colonies
Communism in Europe
etc.

Any ideas?

What are some thoughtful documentaries/long-form articles about baseball umpires?

lamprey — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 10:56:42 -0800

What are some thoughtful documentaries/long-form articles about baseball umpires? I'm wondering if there's a thoughtful, well-done documentary (I'm hoping for something of the caliber of HBO's now-defunct Costas Now) or a long-form article (again, in the caliber of New Yorker or Vanity Fair) that's accessible to folks who aren't exclusively diehard baseball fans. I'm curious to learn more about everything to do with Major League Baseball umpires, but I can't seem to find anything that takes a big-picture look at the field. Like why are there still no women in the field? What's their typical career path? Are there different tiers of umps within the MLB?

I feel like I've seen some great profiles and pieces on football or basketball referees, but not umps in baseball.

Which History Documentaries are Accurate?

kristi — Tue, 17 Jul 2012 11:13:51 -0800

Please recommend good documentaries and TV programs about history that are accurate. There are a lot of videos online and at my library about history, but I have no idea how accurate they are.

I'd appreciate any recommendations for accurate historical documentaries. I'm interested in all time periods and all kinds of places; I just don't want to waste my time on something that's full of bunk.

I'm inclined to think that anything made by the BBC is likely to be highly accurate, while things aired on the History channel are less likely to be well-supported. Any guidelines along those lines would be great.

I'm not really looking for historical fiction, unless it offers an amazingly accurate depiction of the time that I can't get elsewhere.

Bonus question: Is there a good review site that rates documentaries based on accuracy?

Thanks!

The world is just awesome.

stuck on an island — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 16:44:13 -0800

I want to mainline wonder! Recommend me nonfiction books or films (science, nature, history, culture, the human mind) that will make me fall in love with the world we live in. Depression-free, creatively unblocked and finally starting to emerge into the world I've been hiding from since adolescence. It looks pretty awesome! Help me get to know it and love it better. What nonfiction books or documentaries have both educated you about the world we live in and infected you with a passion for that subject?

This may be a vague-sounding question, but I am looking for books that give me two specific things:

1. The feeling of OMG AMAZING FACTS
2. A resounding answer to the question "Why should I care about this?"

Something magical happens when I'm introduced to a topic by a geek with a gift for explaining what they love about it. It's different from being lectured by an expert. I start to feel not like I am being presented with facts but introduced to a beloved friend of a friend. And then I start to love it too.

In short, I want people describing or depicting something in such a way that I glimpse its character and fall in love with it. If the book is about stars, I want it to make me feel at home in the night sky. If it's about snails, I want it to make every snail I meet after that feel like a friend. (Hey, buddy.) And so on.

Documentaries/videos about cities, viewable free online?

colinmarshall — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 00:06:34 -0800

Know of any interesting documentaries (or other sorts of videos) about cities freely available to watch online? I'm thinking along the lines of Reyner Banham Loves Los Angeles, Mother City, Detroit Lives, this program on Mexico City from BBC Two, Urban Earth: Mumbai, this NHK World profile of Yokohama's Chinatown, or this endearingly retro 1985 piece on Vancouver's SkyTrain.

Really, just things to watch about any and all aspects of individual cities, especially if they're a little longer, a little older, or a little stranger than most internet videos.

Best Documentaries- Big History.

sandmanwv — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:52:00 -0800

I want to learn about major historical events through documentaries (not miniseries). What are your favorites? (I know, broad).

I want to laugh while I get smarter

sarahkeebs — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:48:37 -0800

I've watched almost all of Terry Jones's history documentaries--what next? What I like about them and what I'm looking for is mainly the humor (enthusiastic but lighthearted, not taking itself too seriously) and the element of looking at things from a different angle. Many of Jones's docs look at the lives of "regular people" in periods of history where most people are familiar with the rich and famous, and others look at civilizations that are overlooked. Sort of the way Mythbusters approaches science, and I'm also a large fan of QI. Recommendations? (I'm looking especially but not exclusively for history.)

Documentaries, books, I want it all!

PeppahCat — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:33:32 -0800

Please give me some suggestions for documentaries and books I might like. To give you an idea of what I'm looking for...
Documentaries I've watched recently that I want more of:
--PBS Frontline: The Suicide Tourist, Undertaking, and Facing Death
--Choosing to Die
--The Most Hated Family in America (about the Phelps family of Westboro Church)
--Jesus Camp
I LOVE documentaries, really I've seen more than this in recent months but these few stick out...if it makes me cry or makes me pick up my jaw from the floor so I can yell at the screen, I wanna see it. Please don't suggest Dear Zachary...have seen it and for some reason it seems to be 'the must see' in my preferred viewing categories LOL.
(Sidenote: if anyone can find "Dying at Grace" online, or where it's available to purchase for less than $20, that'd be awesome...I keep seeing it in the $100+ range...and I want to see it but NOT that bad.)

Books I've read recently and want more of:
--The Year of Living Biblically by AJ Jacobs
--A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
--Stiff by Mary Roach
--Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris (and others by him)
--Lots of autobiographies by Dick Van Dyke, Ron Jeremy, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball (my favorite), Ozzie Osbourne, and Julie Andrews
--Unlikely Disciple by Kevin Roose
--The Help by Kathryn Stockett
--Does This Mean You'll See Me Naked by Robert D. Webster
--Death's Acre by Bill Bass (my hero)
You get the idea. I found out I LOVE autobiographies, biographies as well. And because of my major/minor in college, the medical examiner, funeral director, and forensic stuff appeals to me a bunch. The Help was quirky and funny, and that along with Charlaine Harris' smartass and hysterical Sookie Stackhouse series are some of my favorite fiction books ever.

For what it's worth, there's NOTHING that offends me. I want stuff from any and all views and walks of life. Can be from the ultra-religious to the ultra-atheist, conservative to liberal, etc. I like to get riled up, to cry my eyes out, to be jumping with joy, and all in between. I ain't scared. =D
AskMeFi's past questions along these lines are where I found many of the things I watched listed above, as well as some of the more recent books. I've exhausted the older AskMeFi questions, and I'm sure there are new members like myself who have good suggestions! Fire away!

Inspire me in a foreign language.

misozaki — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 03:43:12 -0800

Please recommend me some recent non-English language movies/documentaries that are uplifting/inspiring/funny/have happy endings. So a few days ago I found out about the Indian movie 3 Idiots from this AskMe question. I'd never heard of it. I learned that it was a huge hit in India but was never commercially released in Japan, where I live. I got hold of a DVD. I loved it!

I've seen this thread from 2010, and while it's got some great suggestions, I'd like recommendations of more recent non-English-language movies/documentaries in a similar vein. I want to see new works, as in the past few years or so, so for example Amelie is a bit too old.

So, any suggestions? I don't care how huge a hit the film was in the country it was made in, because, like 3 Idiots, I might not have heard about it. English subtitles are a must, though.

Oh, and no Japanese films please, I'm Japanese and subtitle them for a living, so I know all about them!

Thanks in advance!

Documentaries on inspiring music education

ChristopherS — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 19:22:48 -0800

What are the most inspiring, exciting documentaries on music education? I'm looking for documentaries about learning music, teaching music, music education, becoming a professional musician. I'm most interested in the question: "What are the most effective ways to teach music?"
Bonus points if it's modern and tech-oriented - but not necessary.

Have you seen a film or documentary which sparked interesting thoughts along these lines?

Are there any documentaries about comic book fans?

Fuzzy Monster — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:47:50 -0800

Are there any documentaries about comic book fans as opposed to comic book creators? I know about Morgan Spurlock's upcoming Comic Con documentary but I am wondering if there are any documentaries about comic book fan culture that have a broader focus. Basically I'm looking for something like "Trekkies" but about comic book fans, either in North America or around the world. (Ron Mann's "Comic Book Confidential" doesn't fit the bill, as it is mostly about comic book creators.) Thanks for your help!

Single Subject Documentaries

ocherdraco — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 19:52:48 -0800

Over the past two nights I watched two great documentaries each focused on a single person: Bill Cunningham: New York and The Cruise. I would like to see more documentaries in this mode! Your suggestions, please.

Documentaries and radio transcripts for improving British English?

earthwormsleg — Sat, 08 Oct 2011 04:29:42 -0800

I've been thinking about improving my (received) pronunciation by reading out loud in English. Need help finding materials online. I love documentaries and nonfiction, so I'd appreciate any recommendations on
a) transcribed (!) recordings/podcasts from British radio or
b) good British documentary films (assuming I'd then google out the scripts for reading).

I guess my focus is on "intelligent conversational language" -- thus the more dialogues/direct speech by "ordinary people" I get, the better. (Maybe audiobooks with good juicy language would help as well?) As to the documentaries, I guess everything involving well-drawn characters goes.

I'm a commited listener of Radiolab, This American Life, BBC's Material World and radio documentaries but AFAIK none of them are (no longer) actively putting their transcripts online.

Ah, and reflections or sucess stories as to the efficiency of this learning method (reading scripted conversational language aloud by myself) are welcome, too. Thanks!

Mass Production Music!

mthomps00 — Sun, 18 Sep 2011 13:11:23 -0800

There's a piece of music always played in documentaries and other film clips usually to satirize the "age of mass production." It's a very peppy '50s bit, often with a guy talking in a stylized '50s radio announcer voice over it, accompanied by sped-up clips of factories rolling, women working, and the like. What is this music and how do I find it?

Unfortunately, 7 Up comes out, well...every 7 years or so

fyrebelley — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 20:58:12 -0800

I really enjoy great documentaries that span years and focus on individual development. For example, I found David Sutherland's Country Boys or The Farmer's Wife fascinating. I also really enjoyed 7 Up. Please share other docs like this with me. Unfortunately, Sutherland isn't as prolific as I'd like, and 7 Up comes out, well...only once every 7 years or so. I also enjoy docs about quirky people--pumpkin competitions, competitive ferret show participants, etc. Ultimately, I'm interested in a compelling, real story. Bonus points if they're available on Netflix on Demand.

RUSSIA

triggerfinger — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 18:49:30 -0800

Help me feed my obsession with all things Russia. I have been kind of obsessed with Russia for some time now and I'm hoping that people here can point me towards good things to read that have Russia as a theme. Generally, I am looking for fiction books that take place in the Soviet Union/Russia (or other former Soviet republics) anytime in the 20th century onward. Stalin-era and Cold War era preferred. I've read a few books that take place in Russia that I have loved - Charm School, Child 44 and City of Thieves are a few off the top of my head. I do like mystery/thriller/spy novels but am open to other types of fiction as well. I have Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy and Gorky Park in my pile of books to read. I know about people like Ken Follet and Tom Clancy and similar authors but I've always been a little reluctant to read them because I don't want to get bogged down in technical/military details and this is the (maybe uninformed) impression I've always had of these authors. I want to read these books to learn more about Russia and its more recent history primarily.

I also like non-fiction, and I do own both the Gulag Archipelago (not started yet) and Execution by Hunger (which I've read part of), but I prefer to get my non-fiction reading from quality essays or magazine articles. This article on corruption and this one on AIDS, both from the New Yorker, are examples of articles I've really enjoyed.

So mefites, if you have any ideas on anything else I can read - or even any interesting documentaries or podcasts - I would love to hear about them. I have seen most, if not all, old AskMe posts on this topic - I'm just looking for new ideas. Thank you!

What documentaries for a 2-year-old, like Babies?

k8t — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 08:14:03 -0800

Documentaries/movies like Babies for 2-year-old? While at a friends' house, my 2-year-old saw the documentary Babies (on Netflix Streaming) and really liked it.

I liked it too and had actually intended to watch it at some point.

This was also a nice change of pace from kid-designed TV show, was very slow paced, and provided us a lot of good opportunities to talk about stuff. I felt like he was much more engaged than he is watching SuperWhy or Sesame Street. (Although I do realize that things that are designed for his age and have age-appropriate educational content make sense...)

Recommendations for similar films that toddlers may like, especially ones available instantly on Netflix, would be appreciated.

Also, he LOVES the All About series.

America on film

swingbraid — Thu, 24 Feb 2011 17:05:52 -0800

I teach ESL to new refugees and they have expressed a desire to see movies that tell them about or show America. They want to know about the different landscapes, accents, lifestyles, etc. I'm looking for suggestions for simple, visually descriptive films that feature a wide variety of geographical locations and Americans. Can you think of any? I think documentaries would be well-received, as well as short films. Their minds are wide open, so as long as the subject matter is "safe for work", anything goes. They just have to be English-language films for which I can also play English subtitles (unless there is little-to-no dialogue or narration--they are not complete beginners).

I have a laptop and can project movies, but I don't have internet access in the classroom (it's a church basement). Any movies I can download or order cheaply and easily would be great.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

Çatal Höyük to The Anger in Egypt

Sustainable Chiles — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 16:57:53 -0800

Can you suggest great, chronological, world history documentary series? I'm looking to watch some interesting, fairly linear documentaries about world history. Assume I have only passing knowledge of the scope of world history and how it fits together over time and want to learn more. Older documentaries are welcome as long as they're not too "old-school" ('how could anyone criticize colonialism, say what, old chap?').

I'm familiar with Connections, and while good, the series isn't very linear with respect to historical progression; It's more based on exploring a concept over time. I'd prefer ones that cover the entirety of history, but great ones that deal with a particular era are fine too.

Positive movies about body image, body acceptance and beauty?

camcol — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 13:01:00 -0800

National Eating Disorders Week is coming up, and we're looking to hold a film screening at my college. What are some good (positive!) movies/documentaries that deal with body image, body acceptance and beauty ideals? National Eating Disorders Week is coming up, and we're looking to hold a film screening at my college. What are some good (positive!) movies/documentaries that touch upon

-body image
-promoting body acceptance
-debunking unrealistic beauty ideals

that would also appeal to and maintain the attention of a college crowd?

Any suggestions would be great.

Thanks!