May 21, 2013
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THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT, OVERALL FASCINATING AND WITHOUT A DOUBT BESTEST DOCUMENTARIES EVER MADE
Posted by YSL on June 16, 2009 at 06:07 PM
We love documentaries and so should you.
With mainstream movies becoming more and more bland and banal, this is the place to look (back) for the really good, mindblowing stuff. And since the digital age – between dirt cheap camcorders and all sorts of online sites – is making documentary filmmaking both more affordable as well as easier to distribute, today might be the latest golden age. Truly great documentaries, the one’s you’ll find on these pages, should make you think (don’t be alarmed, it’s not as painful as it sounds), maybe move you, help you to form an idea, or simply entertain. That’s not an easy thing to do – just look at those god-awful TV formats, the ‘docu dramas’ and reality shows. Compared to that, the films on this list are Shakespeare, Kraftwerk and ‘The Godfather’ rolled into one – thrilling, disturbing works of art.
Read. Now. Watch. Later.
01 - Paradise Lost (Joe Berlinger/Bruce Sinofsky, 1996)
Powerful, disturbing stuff. Three children are found murdered and mutilated in the woods just outside West Memphis, Arkansas and the townsfolk are quick to point the finger at three metalhead kids. Wannabe ‘prince of darkness’ Damien Echols almost enjoys his notoriety, his two unstable, slighly dumb followers who only barely understand what’s happening are scared to death. So is the viewer: At the trial, hearsay and pseudo-satanist scribblings serve as evidence against the outsiders, while the father of one dead kid is already doing target practice, talking about how he’ll “end the misery” of Echols & Co. A portrait of a small town tragedy showing you the darkest, most unpleasant side of white-trash USA.
02 - Capturing The Friedmans (Andrew Jarecki, 2003)
What was intended to be a documentary about rent-a-clown guys in NY turns into a thought-provoking drama on pedophilia and judicial entrapment. Watch the Friedmans turn from average dysfunctionals into neurotic borderline lunatics through a massive range of fairly disturbing first-hand evidence filmed by the family members themselves.
03 - Hoop Dreams (Steve James, 1994)
What would you do to get out of the ghetto? If you’re a black kid, options are limited to gangster, rapper, ball player. The surprisingly somber doc follows two African-American teenagers as they desperately try to get a career in the NBA going. Some nice basketball sequences, but more interesting for the off-court drama: With pressures mounting (including from their families who see them as their one ticket to a better life), the kids have to deal with their insecurities and coaches, managers and agents who treat them no better than racehorses.
04 - Winter Soldier (Fred Aronow, 1972)
In 1971, at the height of the Vietnam war, US veterans are looking back at their time in ’Nam and they don’t like what they see. Organised by the ‘Vietnam Veterans Against The War’ the ‘Winter Soldier Investigation’ was meant to present an already war-weary, ignorant US public with the realities of a war, in which chopper pilots are instructed to count Vietnamese POWs only when they are being unloaded (some might get “lost” during the flight) and where all dead Vietnamese automatically become ‘enemy combatants’ in the statistics. See what happens when ill-equipped, badly trained kids are sent into a war.
05 - Gimme Shelter (Albert Maysles/David Maysles, 1970)
Say goodbye to flower power. A free concert aspiring to become the second Woodstock turns heavily ugly when a drugged-out-of-their-mind hippie-audience clashes with the no-nonsense attitude of the Hells Angels and the organizers’ willingness to treat the event as a strange kind of experiment on the Rolling Stones’ US tour in 1969. Makes you want to punch the next juggler you see in the park.
06 - The Thin Blue Line (Errol Morris, 1988)
People are talking to you and they are talking to Errol Morris thanks to his ‘Interrotron’. Here the people are talking about a murder, an investigation and why Randall Adams - convicted for killing a Dallas cop in the early eighties - sure must be guilty. Morris interviews them all: The cops, the witnesses, Adams’ attorneys... and David Harris, Adams’ buddy at the time of the murder. By proving that the police ignored their main suspect (Harris) because he – underaged at the time - couldn’t get the death penalty, compiling detail info and pointing out all sorts of discrepancies, this doc got Adams off deathrow. Talking about the power of documentary filmmaking.
07 - The Devil & Daniel Johnston (Jeff Feuerzeig, 2005)
‘There’s certainly a devil and he knows my name’. Daniel Johnston, genius songwriter, gifted illustrator and the first real Anti-Folk star ever, struggles with his overly religious family, the record industry and most importantly his own mental illness. It’s a mindblowing story of genius and madness, angels and demons.
08 - Dogtown & Z-Boys (Stacy Peralta, 2001)
The Zephyr team transforms into legendary Z-Boys in the grim streets of Dogtown by taking surf moves to concrete resulting in bringing skateboarding back to prominance. Peralta’s film combines interviews, photos and impressive early skate footage to the ultimate insider´s look while the Pennster fucks up the narration once or twice but doesn’t give a shit.
09 - Grizzly Man (Werner Herzog, 2005)
In the mouth of madness. Self-styled bear whisperer Timothy Treadwell spends thirteen summers in Alaska’s wilderness trying to live with bears, until he eventually got eaten alive by Meister Petz. Herzog combines the fascinating footage loony Treadwell shot of himself with his own work to create an exceptional film that definitely has to be seen to be believed.
10 - Das Himmler Projekt (Romuald Karmakar, 2001)
Karmakar likes to gaze into the abyss... and you won’t hardly find any as deep and dark as this. For three hours you get actor Manfred Zapatka reading from the speech that Heinrich Himmler gave to 92 SS generals in 1943. Scary shit. Himmler’s believs in the Endsieg paints a post-victory picture that sees his faithful manning fortresses at the eastern edges of the new Reich. Probably not the kind of reward the SS rank and file were looking for. Luckily, Himmler died, the SS was dispersed and the only fortresses in the East are being operated by McDonald’s and Ikea by now.
THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT, OVERALL FASCINATING AND WITHOUT A DOUBT BESTEST DOCUMENTARIES EVER MADE
11 - Dark Days (Marc Singer, 2000)
The basic idea sounds like a 50’s B-movie: There are people living under NY’s city surface, in the tunnels that are home to the homeless and a safe haven for society’s rejects and outsiders. The British director originally set out to take pictures of this netherworld but ended up shooting a first-class documentary instead, made with the help of tunnel dwellers, a photo store (that supplied him with free, ‘defective’ b/w film stock) and DJ Shadow who delivered the soundtrack. Check it out on disc and make sure to watch the awesome ‘Making Of’ as well.
12 - Crumb (Terry Zwigoff, 1994)
If you ever thought Robert Crumb’s comic books make you feel weird and somehow alienated, you should finally meet the man, his world and oddball family in the David Lynch produced doc and readjust your point of view because once again, nothing is stranger than real life. It’s a real life tale of abusiveness, sexual deviancy and misanthrophy that’s equally as funny as it is disturbing.
13 - Scratch (Doug Pray, 2001)
Connecting the dots, a crash course in DJing ranging from the humble beginnings in the 70’s to the turntableism of the late 90’s. Learn about the influence of Herbie Hancocks “Rockit” and basic DJing from Qbert, see Mixmaster Mike smile like a kid in a candy store while cutting up a nice piece of old-time blues without even looking at the ’tables, hear Shadow getting all melancholic talking about digging. Everyone is here (well, except Madlib), no aspect is being left untouched.
14 - Jesus Camp (Heidi Ewing/Rachel Grady, 2006)
Hmmm... fundamentalist Christianity. Directors Ewing and Grady spent a summer in a North Dakota bible camp for kids where sunny days center around affirming the evangelical message, planning anti-abortion campaigns and speaking in tongues. This film about the new Christian army of tomorrow leaves you scared shitless.
15 - Harlan County USA (Barbara Kopple, 1976)
Made in the year of the US’ bicentennial, ages before the onslaught of those, well, colorful films from Michael Moore and his ilk, this Academy Award winning documentary showed the dark side of US capitalism. Exploring a year-long coal miner’s strike in Kentucky, director Barbara Kopple shows not only the poverty and desperation of people living and working under unbearable conditions but also highlights how a community is pulling together. A passionate, pro-working class doc that still has lost none of its power. The (class) struggle continues, nowadays it just doesn’t get documentary films this good.
16 - The War Room (Chris Hegedus/D.A. Pennebaker, 1993)
The power of documentary filmmaking, part 2: When the film team started covering Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign, he was trailing heavily in the polls. But instead of documenting a noble failure, this got in on the ground floor and showed how Clinton and his people – yuppie tactician George Stephanopolous and borderline insane ‘ragin’ cajun’ James Carville – wrestled the White House out of the hands of Bush senior. A thrilling, fun exploration of high-octane politics and the moment-to-moment excitement of a campaign where it’s all about soundbites, headlines, media coverage and ‘spin’. Politics as extreme sports, played by world-class players. Very impressive.
17 - Mein Geliebter Feind (Werner Herzog, 1999)
Lights. Camera. Insanity. It’s a rumble in the jungle when the love/hate relationship of Germany’s most dynamic duo, visionary filmmaker Werner Herzog and manic actor Klaus Kinski that is, reveals itself on the set of filming ‘Fitzcarraldo’ in Amazonia. Cursing, fights and death threads guaranteed.
18 - Startup.Com (Chris Hegedus/Jehane Noujaim, 2001)
Making money ain’t a bad thing, especially in the late Nineties when every IPO and half-assed business model was turned into cashcows. This follows two friends with a nice enough idea, providing public service websites for communities (govWorks.com) that allow people pay for fines or get in touch with branches of the government online. But with money coming in, the arguments start as well: Who owns their operation? Who is the guy in charge? Success is a poisened fruit and when the ‘internet bubble’ finally bursts, the guys are left broke and bitter. Serves them right.
19 - Frat House (Andrew Gurland/Todd Phillips, 1998)
A look at the ultra-secret rituals/ordeals of becoming a fraternity member, where the good times roll through physical torment, racism and brainwashing, that is anything else than fucking horrifying. ‘Frat House’ proves your prejudices against the moronic goons that are running these testosterone filled campus institutions and everything they stand for... or will stand for after they graduated as ignorant and proper alpha-males.
20 - Occupation Dreamland (Ian Olds/Garrett Scott, 2005)
Winning the war, losing the peace. April 2003, the Americans have just liberated Iraq and Marines are sent to the city of Falludja to keep order, restore the infrastructure and win the locals’ hearts and minds. But although the young soldiers try their best, there’s nothing really they can do: Left without means to actually accomplish anything, all they can do is sit, wait and calm down the increasingly hostile Iraqis who only want water, power and security. Even the Bush supporters among the soldiers acknowledge that they’re only here to secure big business interests. In March 2004 the Marines leave the city which then turns into a insurgency stronghold. The best doc on this war yet.
THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT, OVERALL FASCINATING AND WITHOUT A DOUBT BESTEST DOCUMENTARIES EVER MADE
21 - The American Nightmare (Adam Simon, 2000)
Craven, Hooper, Cronenberg, Romero, Carpenter. Compacted rage erupting on to the screen. The early 70s saw the rise of a handful of directors whose gruesome, subversive and disturbingly violent films have not only changed the genre forever but were similarly targeted at the nation’s politically potent youth. Adam Simon backs up the filmmaker’s arguments and anecdotes with appropriate clips, then juxtaposes the result with news reports footage for context. If only every history lesson could be that entertaining.
22 - The Aristocrats (Paul Provenza, 2005)
A joke so filthy and disgusting it’s never performed for anyone, a secret handshake among US comedians, that’s ‘the Aristocrats’. Featuring basically every funny person in America from Jon Stewart and Sarah Silverman to George Carlin and Robin Williams (and throwing in some British comedians for good measure) this explores the joke and its history while giving you countless, increasingly disturbing versions. Best bits have master impersonator Kevin Pollack do the joke as Christopher Walken and a Gilbert Gottfried version that has fellow comedians literally falling out of their seats laughing. If you’re into non-p.c. comedy, this was made for you. You’ll probably come up with your own version. I did. And, yes, it’s quite filthy and very disgusting.
23 - Easy Riders, Raging Bulls (Kenneth Bowser, 2003)
Sex, drugs and making movies in the 70’s: Much more charming than the slightly sleazy Biskind book it is based on, this documentary explores the ego trips, backstabbing and petty arguments behind the scenes of that wondrous filmmaking era known as ‘New Hollywood’. No, you don’t get the heavy hitters on camera, but the ‘supporting cast’ of the time – Paul Schrader, Richard Dreyfuss, Cybill Shepherd - proves informative and entertaining enough. Although not too much about the actual movies (check out “A Decade under the Influence” for that) it still makes you want to go out and (re-) watch those awesome Seventies flicks.
24 - Roger & Me (Michael Moore, 1989)
At the time of its initial theatrical release the highest grossing documentary film ever. General Motors is closing its plants in Flint, Michigan, and Flint native Michael Moore wants to find out why. He’s trying to interview Roger Smith, then head of GM, which proves to be quite difficult. Talking to the people in his hometown, documenting both, the now unemployed as well as the arrogance/ignorance of rich folks and corporate spokespeople, Moore gets you on his (and the Flint population’s) side. That he fiddled a bit with reality – the final conversation with Smith actually happened much earlier – is problematic to some, though.
25 - Zidane (Douglas Gordon/Philippe Parreno, 2006)
Seventeen cameras are set around the playing field, entirely focusing on Zidane during the Real Madrid vs Villareal match. He runs, sweats, walks, occasionally talks to himself and tries his best to read the game while Scottish rock band Mogwai deliver an exclusive and superb soundtrack to this ‘real time film’. Admittedly, ‘Zidane’ feels more like an art-installation disguised as a full-length feature, never the less it’s the most honest and hypnotic film about football ever made.
26 - When We Were Kings (Leon Gast, 1996)
It’s the story of Ali fighting against George Foreman in 1973. It’s the story of the stories surrounding that fight. It’s the story of the biggest television spectacle after the Americans made the world believe they’d actually been to the moon. It’s the story of the mega-concert before the fight. And it’s the story about an individual becoming a hero and role model against all odds.
27 - 2 oder 3 Dinge die ich von ihm weiss (Malte Ludin, 2005)
Filmmaker Ludin looks into his family’s history, especially his father’s role as a Nazi ambassador in Czechoslovakia during WW2. Was he just a mid-level functionary, an innocent bureaucrat as Ludin’s older sisters claim? Or was he a war criminal who willingly sent thousands to their deaths? One of the most personal, painful explorations of lies, big and small, that make up family life. Talking about exactly what you usually just don’t talk about, Ludin shows how destructive the Nazi legacy is even today.
28 - Comic Book Confidential (Ron Mann, 1988)
AKA: A brief history of US comic books. Director Ron Mann uses his now trademark technique of combining interviews with animated sequences and documentary material from the time to document the rise of comics, from 1920’s funnies to 1980’s graphic novels. In addition to hearing guys like William Gaines or Stan ‘the Man’ Lee, you’ll also get some fascinating insights into the comic underground (Crumb, Spiegelman). Check out the 50’s intro that has ‘experts’ explaining the destructive power of comic books, corrupting kids, turning them into bloodthirsty deliquents. Very funny.
29 - Tarnation (Jonathan Caouette, 2003)
With this narcisstic and deeply personal filmmaking whirlwind, first time director Caouette not only showed that these days anyone can be a filmmaker thanks to iMovie, but proved himself a gifted visionary of a new cinema as well. Half love letter to his troubled mom, half visual blitzkrieg that reflects on his own life, ‘Tarnation’ is a raw and beautiful avant-garde take on self-destruction and the struggle for peace.
30 - Manufacturing Consent - Noam Chomsky and the Media (Mark Achbar/Peter Wintonick, 1992)
The film follows the famous linguist/intellectual/political meddler/corporate critic through a huge variation of interviews and public speeches he did in the 80s and early 90s. So it’s basically about Chomsky telling his ideas and views about the world we’re living in for a running time of nearly three hours. Could be pretty dull. But it´s Chomsky, for chrissake. CHOMSKY.
THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT, OVERALL FASCINATING AND WITHOUT A DOUBT BESTEST DOCUMENTARIES EVER MADE
31 - John & Jane (Ashim Ahluwalia, 2005)
A different aspect of globalisation, but at least as unpleasant as robbing developing countries of their ressources: In India more and more people are working the phones for US companies, providing Telefone support or doing telemarketing. Coached to impersonate Americans and more or less brainwashed into believing this is their chance at making it big, the employees are fleeing into weed, daydreaming about a boygroup career or the sweet life in the US. It’s a scam, of course: Cheap labour stuck in windowless office bunkers where the most romantic thing a young couple working shifts can do is share a burger at the local McDonald’s. Sickening, that’s what it is.
32 - Sick (Kirby Dick, 1997)
Bob Flanagan, better known as the supermasochist, suffered from Cystic Fibrosis ‘til he died at age 43. His way of coping with the disease was an inspirational take on art and S&M performances, constantly pushing his body to extremes (e.g. hammering a nail through his dick). It’s an intense, intimate and at times gut-wrenching look at someone with a very unique way of expressing his lust for life.
33 - Streetwise (Martin Bell, 1984)
Made in the greedy mid-Eighties and based on an article in “Life” magazine, this shows a side of Western society that no one really cares about – the plight of kids living in and off the streets. You get the whole thing: Children eating out of trash cans, girls (and boys) selling their bodies, the drugs, the violence, the hopelessness of it all. Still a convincing, powerful look at inner cities because the kids talk openly about themselves and their situation. Filled to the brim with disturbing images and heart-breaking sequences. Must-see doc.
34 - B-52 (Hartmut Bitomsky, 2001)
Like Errol Morris, Bitomsky has a signature style and approach: He explores society and history not by concentrating on people but rather by dissecting and analyzing things in long, slow sequences. In this case it’s the B-52 bomber, symbol of the Cold War and weapon of mass destruction. Using instruction and propaganda footage, newsreel bits and interviewing people – an ex-pilot, the guy who demolishes old planes, a Vietnamese officer – Bitomsky’s stunning essay goes beyond the obvious technical aspects. The B-52 as a pop-culture icon, as a symbol, as a piece of the military-industrial complex.
35 - Some Kind Of Monster (Joe Berlinger/Bruce Sinofsky, 2004)
After Jason Newsted left the band, the remaining three members of Metallica hire a leading psychologist to get everybody focused on the process of recording ‘St. Anger’. Paranoia, repressed anger and some gnarley mood swings due to substance abuse problems occur, and a straightforward job of a handful of months turns into nearly two years of filming for the directors. Makes ‘This Is Spinal Tap’ highly believable.
36 - My Flesh And Blood (Jonathan Karsh, 2003)
An unforgettable portrait of sacrifice, saving grace and the unconditional love of Susan Tom for her eleven adopted children with special needs. As if life isn’t already tense enough for the Tom’s, one kid threatens to harm one of his siblings. Big time. What easily could’ve been a pathetic tear-jerker unfolds itself as a heavily life-inspiring and bittersweet experience that will eat your heart alive.
37 - Koyaanisqatsi (Godfrey Reggio, 1982)
Director Reggio hoped his message would get through and that this wouldn’t just be used by stoners looking for audio-visual kicks. Well, no such luck. This incredible montage of time-lapse and slow-mo photography gives you ‘God’s eyeview’ of both untouched nature as well as the maddening, high-speed Life in the big cities, where the difference between humans moving about and machines churning out industrial products gets blurry. With incredible images and a fantastic Philip Glass score this will suck you right in, sober or stoned, a 90 minutes long trip that will have you raid the fridge in no time. Enjoy.
38 - Style Wars (Henry Chalfant/Tony Silver, 1983)
The original hip hop masterpiece, showcasing the good old early days of the movement between graf, breakdance and Rap music. Dated but fun, this will send you putting on your Adidas and some old-school tunes. Makes you wonder how a vibrant street thing got both criminalized and commercialized. Too bad. At least we (including the young ones who weren’t even born back then) got this document to prove it was all good back then.
39 - Sex-The Annabel Chong Story (Gough Lewis, 1999)
Wannabe-feminist Annabel Chong decided to star in the world’s largest gang bang in 1995, means she had sex with 251 men during a ten hour period (the current record is a thousand plus, by the way). What’s supposed to be a thought-provoking look on ‘use and abuse’ in the industry eventually focuses on the relationship of Annabel to her mom, who doesn’t have the slightest clue about her daughter’s life.
40 - Endless Summer (Bruce Brown, 1966)
It’s the classic surf movie that simply follows surfer-dudes Robert August and Mike Hynson around the globe as they’re looking for the perfect wave. A million miles away from the split-second editing of today, ‘Endless Summer’ is a laid-back movie that successfully involves the viewer in the whole experience instead of just flashing some action at them.
THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT, OVERALL FASCINATING AND WITHOUT A DOUBT BESTEST DOCUMENTARIES EVER MADE
41 - Devil’s Playground (Lucy Walker, 2002)
When Amish kids turn 15 or 16 they are being let loose by their parents and sent into the world of the ‘English’ (Americans). And the kids do it all: Parties, sex, drugs, fast cars. Those who later return join the Amish community for good, those who don’t (or leave again later on) are being expelled forever. A wild time and a big decision. Fascinating doc showcases individuals but also shines a light on a society that no one really knows anything about except for Peter Weir’s “Witness.” A powerful, touching film.
42 - Unknown White Male (Rupert Murray, 2005)
Instead of becoming a reclusive wreck, formerly fairly successful Doug Bruce treats the severe retrograde amnesia he experienced as an opportunity. With childlike eyes he’s able to discover the world for a second time which leads to a strange kind of envyness from his family and his thirtysomething friends. Attacking the viewer with a bombardment of images, close friend turned director Murray follows his pal through a real-life mystery.
43 - Super Size Me (Morgan Spurlock, 2004)
I’m loving it. Your average boy-next-door is forcing himself into a human guinea-pig situation by living on a heavy diet of McD’s delicacies with the result of fucking up his body (and soul) within a shockingly short period of time. Funny and pretty scary at once. Makes you think twice before you pig out at your local fast food dungeon once again.
44 - Sherman’s March (Ross McElwee, USA, 1986)
In 1986 filmmaker Ross McElwee sets out to document the path of destruction that civil war General Sherman left in the south. But then his girlfriend leaves him before shooting starts. So McElwee (think: a Southern, rural Woody Allen) starts filming himself and the women he meets: Athletic hippie chicks, slightly sinistre survivalist girls, ex-girlfriends, scientists. Neurotic and insecure, McElwee manages to mess up every encounter – which makes for very fun viewing indeed, especially when the director starts intellectualizing. He’s lonely, he’s horny, they are interested – and he then quickly finds reasons to move on. Loser. Great doc, though.
45 - Spellbound (Jeffrey Blitz, 2002)
N-E-R-D. Nerd. The film follows eight competitive children through the annual National Spelling Bee in Washington DC., introducing the audience to their widely different homes and family backgrounds. A close and delightful look on the US’s educational and social spectrums that unintentionally throw some good laughs on hyperactive kids in the mix.
46 - Hearts Of Darkness (Fax Bahr/George Hickenlooper, 1991)
Filmmaking is a living hell, as the behind the scenes look on the set for ‘Apocalypse Now’ proves. Watch the director going mad, the cast tripping on drugs, film-sets being destroyed by unpredictable weather and the leading actor suffering a heart-attack. ‘We had too much money and too much equipment and little by little we went insane’. It’s almost a miracle Coppola carried on directing.
47 - Yokohama Mary (Takayuki Nakamura, 2006)
A subtle portrait of a prostitute that became a local celebrity turns into an epic story about the everyday people of Yokohama and the city itself thanks to the anecdote-telling folks who knew or had met her at some point. It’s a celebration of life, regardless of how many hopes and dreams have already been shattered.
48 - Bus 174 (José Padilha/Felipe Lacerda, 2002)
A brilliant documentary about a street kid that hijacked a bus in Rio de Janeiro and took the passengers hostage. The original material of that scenario shows the kid as an angry and dangerous beast while the interviews with people who knew him reveal a troubled and isolated human being. A filmic socioeconomic statement without the slightest hint of false sentimentality.
49 - This Is America (Romano Vanderbes, 1977)
Ladies and gentlemen, it’s Mondo time! The only intention of this schlockumentary is to gross out the audience by showing life and death and sexual practices and car crashes and brothels for seniors and all kind of nasty shit in the pre-AIDS United States. What was arguably shocking back then turns out a, at least partly, hysterically funny party tape in 2007.
50 - Lay Down Old Man (Nemo Librizzi, USA, 2005)
The most honest film about the history of LA’s notorious Crips and Bloods was realized by a young film-enthusiast from New York. A very personal and deeply fascinating look on two retired gang bangers, that share stories of their violent past as well as their relatively simple everyday life.
THE 50 MOST IMPORTANT, OVERALL FASCINATING AND WITHOUT A DOUBT BESTEST DOCUMENTARIES EVER MADE
THEY ALMOST MADE IT...
Inside Deep Throat (Gerard Damiano/Harry Reems, 2005)
Cocaine Cowboys (Billy Corban, 2006)
Crossing The Bridge (Fatih Akin, 2005)
Prinzessinnenbad (Bettina Bluemner, 2007)
American Pimp (Albert & Allen Hughes, 1999)
Outfoxed-Murdoch’s War On Journalism (Robert Greenwald, 2004)
Brother’s Keeper (Joe Berlinger/Bruce Sinofsky, 1992)
Hearts And Minds (Peter Davis, 1974)
An Inconvenient Truth (Davis Guggenheim, 2006)
Murderball (Henry Alex Rubin/Dana A. Shapiro, 2005)
Stop Making Sense (Jonathan Demme, 1984)
The Bridge (Eric Steel, 2006)
The Sweetest Sound (Alan Berliner, 2001)
Japanese Devils (Minoru Matsui, 2001)
The Yes Men (Dan Ollman/Sarah Price, 2003)
The Corporation (Mark Achbar/Jennifer Abbott, 2003)
Girl Next Door (Christine Fugate, 1999)
Heavy Metal Parking Lot (John Heyn/Jeff Krulik, 1986)
Woodstock (Michael Wadleigh, 1970)
Control Room (Jehane Noujaim, 2004)
The Cruise (Bennett Miller, 1998)
Synthetic Pleasures (Iara Lee, 1995)
Maestro (Josell Ramos, 2003)
The Specialist (Eyal Sivan, 1999)
Herr Wichmann Von Der CDU (Andreas Dresen, 2003)
Lost In La Mancha (Keith Fulton/Louis Pepe, 2002)
by Forty & Thomas Klein
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