Five Fascinating Documentaries that will Broaden Your Perspective
While escaping to a different world through a fictitious tv show or movie is always welcome, sometimes a documentary that teaches you about an aspect of our world or society can be a welcome breath of fresh air. There is just so much going on out there that we are ignorant to and it's great to be able to widen your perspective while watching something entertaining. I’ve covered five different documentaries spanning a wide range of topics to get you started.
Hypernormalisation
If you like getting deep into conspiracy theories and the intrigue that brings, you’ll love Hypernormalisation. It has the same sort of energy as conspiracy youtube videos but in this case it’s being produced by the BBC and directed by renowned British documentarian Adam Curtis. The documentary touches on a number of different events and phenomena all of which showcase the ways in which humanity, when faced with the overwhelming complexities of real life, create fake systems to live in order to avoid reality. One example covered by the documentary is a shocking case where the U.S, upon facing a credible and known terroristic threat from Syria in the 80’s, knowingly chooses to pin the blame on neighboring dictator Muammar Gaddafi. He had no involvement but made an easy scapegoat for the American people, allowing the U.S. to avoid conflict with the messy network of allies Syria had in the middle east.
2. Sour Grapes
Sour Grapes gives insight into the world of high-powered wine collectors and the extravagant amounts of money they pay for wine that arguably isn't much different from a $20 bottle. This is where Rudy Kurniawan comes in, a fascinating outsider from Indonesia who arrives on the scene and makes a name for himself buying expensive wines and being extensively knowledgeable. As we take a closer look at Rudy, we learn the shocking truth about his past and the true nature of his wine operation.There’s definitely some level of schadenfreude in watching people who pay tens of thousands of dollars for a bottle of fermented grape juice get swindled.
3. Samsara
The only documentary on this list with no narration, Samsara is definitely something different. It’s named after the Buddhist idea of the cycle of death and rebirth to which the material world is bound. Shot on high quality cameras with a spectacular score, Samsara attempts to show the breadth of humanity with scenes of life from across the world. It will definitely take your breath away and make you think about your individual insignificance amid all the other lives in this world – an important perspective shift.
4. The Act of Killing
This documentary centers on the mass killings in Indonesia in the 50’s and 60’s and the legacy of this tragedy for both the victims and the perpetrators. In the film we focus on the worst of the perpetrators still around today who are reenacting their crimes on film as directors and actors in various styles while reflecting on this dark past while doing so. It's an incredible insight into the psyche of those who commit horrible acts
5. Jesus Camp
While religion, and Christianity more specifically, are facing decreasing representation in America today there are still sects that are extremely fervent. This documentary takes a closer look at fundamental evangelicalism and more specifically a summer camp for children in that group. As we follow these kids through the camp we get a sense of how restrictive their lives are and just how deep the indoctrination can run.