12 Powerful and Timely Documentaries You Need To Watch
Over the past five years, I’ve developed a fascination with documentaries. There’s something about being exposed to things I didn’t already know that really hooks and draws me in. Typically my reaction from diving into these stories spans the range of emotions from informing, gratifying, educational and jovial to revealing, intoxicating and tragic. Even though it’s likely that I’ll cry as I watch a documentary or docu-series, one of the most important things I can do for the good of my purpose in humanity is to learn as much as possible and consume things from different corners of the world; things I’ve never known, no matter how painful. If you’re itching for something to open up your mind, entertain you and/or push you to exercise your passion for change, here are 12 documentaries you need to see right now.
13th
The question looming over all of our heads: have we as Black people in particular really ever been “free?” While we’re no longer in physical chains because of the 13th Amendment, the same amendment also gave birth to one of the biggest loopholes in the history of America. The 13th Amendment states: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States.” When one condition allows a country to pack prison systems as they benefit for-profit prisons, you have a huge loop pole and a major societal crisis. From acclaimed activist, Director, Producer and Screenwriter Ava DuVernay, this documentary unpacks the insidious-nature of Mass Incarceration, the truth of the 13th amendment, and what has transpired because of it.
Reversing Roe
The United States Senate has chosen to confirm an ultra right-wing, incredibly controversial Supreme Court Justice to the highest court in the land, a position that will likely affect Roe vs. Wade for a generation and beyond. A dangerous reality has now set in for many women in America and this documentary takes a look at both the Pro-Choice and Pro-Life movements and how relentless the Pro-Life movement is as they stop at nothing to reverse one of America’s most monumental laws for Women’s Rights.
City Of Joy
One of the most harrowing documentaries that I have ever seen and equally one of the most important. Netflix and online streaming has actively connected the corners of the world through powerful, earth-shattering works of art like this one. City Of Joy left me with so many feelings of pain, horror and helplessness as I listened to the insidious ways that rape has been used as a weapon of war resulting in the current chaos that exists in the Democratic Republic of Congo and continues to bring pervasive destruction, fear and trauma to its inhabitants. You will be heartbroken by this reality, but in the end you will be uplifted tremendously by the fortitude and desire for these women to rebuild their lives and experience every ounce of joy possible. They are turning pain into power.
Oh, and if you need more proof of the importance and impact of the City of Joy, one of the subjects of the film Denis Mukwege, is doing revolutionary work by dedicating his career to operating on victims of sexual violence in the DR of Congo.
3 ½ Minutes, 10 Bullets
Known as the controversial ‘Loud Music Trial,’ involving a confrontation between Michael Dunn and Jordan Davis, this documentary dives into the tangible threats of vigilante members of society taking matters into their own hands to “solve a problem.” Eerily similar to the Florida-based Trayvon Martin case that rocked the nation, and gave birth to #BlackLivesMatter, 3 ½ Minutes, 10 Bullets takes a deep look into how quickly an innocent life can be snuffed out by a moment of rage-filled racism.
Also, the impact of Jordan Davis’ death on his family lead his mom to run for office.
TIME: The Kalief Browder Story
If you have never taken a moment to understand the egregious miscarriage of justice that is the Kalief Browder ‘backpack’ case, this 4-episode long mini-series will expose you to the many ways in which our criminal justice system is grossly imbalanced. You’ll hear from Kalief and his family about how one person’s accusation, and Kalief’s will to stand by his plea of innocence, stripped him of 3 years of his life. TIME: The Kalief Browder Story, produced by Shawn Jay-Z Carter, is imperative to watch in order to understand how desperately we need to dismantle mass incarceration, put in place prison and bail reform, and truly acknowledge the disproportionate ways in which Black and Brown people are seen as guilty before they are innocent.
Being Serena
If you ask the person who’s never watched a tennis match in their life, there is still a very real possibility that they have heard the name Serena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam Champion has faced insurmountable odds during her career from training day and night on the courts of Compton, California to encountering blatant and persistent racism and sexism in a sport dominated by white men. This 5-part docu-series grants us access to the gentle force that is a multidimensional woman who’s fiercely accomplished as a mother, wife and world-class athlete.
30 for 30: OJ Made In America
In 1992 O.J. Simpson’s wife, Nicole Brown-Simpson, and Ron Goldstein were brutally murdered outside of Brown-Simpson’s house. The prime suspect? O.J. Simpson, a beloved football player that grew to such heights of glory and respect that he famously stated “I’m not Black, I’m O.J.” This four-part documentary executed brilliantly by the ESPN series 30 For 30, takes a deep look into O.J.’s background through accounts of childhood and adulthood friends, his abusive nature, and his untouchable attitude and arrogance that resulted in the rise and fall of the infamous O.J. Simpson.
Amy
I was too young to realize how much talent Amy Winehouse truly had. I knew about the song Rehab, I saw the magazine covers plastered with drunken pictures claiming she was bulimic or anorexic every other day. I knew the tabloids, but what I didn’t know was the passion, grit and soul behind an incredible talent at such a young age. All Amy wanted to do was sing, but alcohol, drugs and the pressure of the limelight destroyed her. If you’re interested in who Amy Winehouse was and could have been, then this one is definitely for you.
The One Percent
If you thought the 1% lived differently, you may have no idea just HOW differently. This film exposes the lives of the ultra-rich while simultaneously highlighting the increasing wage gap and lack of access to resources for everyone else. Welcome to the exclusive clubs, investments and opportunities that only the wealthiest American families can afford. You’ll never look at the 1% the same when you see how the grandson of the Johnson & Johnson empire gives us an inside look at the mindsets and unrelenting habits and business practices that helped build (and keep) their wealth.
QUINCY
We all know about the legendary Quincy Jones, but ‘Quincy’ examines just how multi-faceted the music-producing legend Quincy Jones has been for Black Culture and for the world. After all, he’s produced some of the most world-renowned Michael Jackson tracks, yall. This documentary takes an in-depth look at the magnitude of his impact on some of the world’s biggest stars, cultural phenomenons like ‘Thriller,’ and his ability to cross musical genres since 14-years-old. As you admire his passion, insane work ethic and drive to create true art that is long-lasting, you’ll quickly realize there will only be one Quincy Jones.
RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsberg)
Known as The Notorious RBG, everything Ruth Bader Ginsberg has been fighting for is especially poignant in this era of #MeToo, #BlackLivesMatter and countless other debates around the arguments of civil rights, human decency and democracy as we know it in the United States Of America. Ruth Bader Ginsberg’s unrelenting fight for the justice of marginalized people has been fueled by her love of law, fair-treatment and equality for all. This film takes a look at the incredible force of a small woman with grit, fierce determination and an everlasting impact on the past, present and future of our society.
Blackfish
Like many kids growing up in the 90’s I was raised on the fascination with Schlitterbahn, Six Flags, Sea World, Disney World, Disneyland and their accompanying commercials. When I saw the black and white whales all I thought about was how much fun they were having being fed and playing in their tanks; of course these magnificent creatures were there for our enjoyment and entertainment, right? What I didn’t know was how the whales got to their tanks, why they were never let go and what happens when you hold animals hostage for sport.
I hope that you take some time to get into these good pieces of art and increase your knowledge base. Let me know in the comments or on social media what you’ve seen and what you’re planning to watch! Happy streaming!
Xoxo,
Sincerely Ang