Words: Violet
For some, the idea of watching a documentary may fill you with fearful memories of school classrooms or watching television with your grandparents. This list, however, includes our pick of 8 of the most inspirational documentaries that we think every man should watch…
1. Senna
A documentary, directed by Asif Kapadia, on the infamous Brazilian F1 racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 world championship three times before his untimely death at 34. As emotional as it is thrilling, this film is as much for racing fanatics as it for everyone else.
2. Man on Wire
This film chronicles Philippe Petit’s 1974 heart-racing high-wire walk between the Twin Towers. Emotional (for obvious reasons), but also an incredible portrayal of human courage and ability in the face of adversity.
3. The Cove
Harrowing – to say the least. The Cove tells the heart-wrenching true story of how Psihoyos, O’Barry and an elite team of activists, filmmakers and free-divers embarked on a covert mission to uncover a hidden cove in Japan, shining light on the mass dolphin kills in Japanese fishing practices.
4. Searching For Sugar Man
An astonishing film about Rodriguez – “the greatest 70s rock icon who never was”. When his first album bombed the singer disappeared into obscurity, yet somehow a recording found its way to apartheid South Africa and made him a national phenomenon (completely unknown to him). This film follows the story of two South African fans and their attempt to discover what really happened to their hero. Incredibly moving, yet equally heart-warming.
5. Kumare
A social experiment turned documentary. Kumare follows American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi as he transforms himself into a false Indian guru, in order to prove the absurdity of blind faith. Instead, he finds himself forging profound connections with people from all walks of life – and wondering if and when to reveal his true self.
6. Happy
Ever wondered why we measure sadness and depression, yet not happiness? This thought provoking feature documentary film is directed, written, and co-produced by Academy Award nominated film-maker Roko Belic. Over interviews with people from all corners of the world and different walks of life, Belic explores the secrets behind happiness.
7. Grizzly Man
A heartbreaking take on the grizzly bear activists Timothy Treadwell and Amie Huguenard, who were killed 2003 by one of the very bears they were trying to conserve in Alaska.
8. Food Matters
This film uncovers the trillion dollar worldwide sickness industry and gives scientifically verifiable solutions for overcoming illness naturally. One of the most contentious ideas put forward to date, the filmmakers interviewed several leading experts in nutrition and natural healing who claim that not only are we harming our bodies with improper nutrition, but that the right kind of foods, supplements and detoxification can be used to treat chronic illnesses as fatal as terminally diagnosed cancer.
By Holly Macnaghten
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