#1 The Times of Harvey Milk
For anyone who prefers the actual testimonies of people who were there over the theatrical release, this is a collection of news footage and interviews from the people closest to Harvey Milk during his election campaign and the city's reaction to his assimilation. The film is moving now, so you can only imagine the impact it would have had in 1984, just 6 years after Milk's death, and the rawness of the incident runs through every anecdote the interviewees share. A topic that is just as prevalent now as it was 20 years ago, making this documentary even more saddening in its continued relevance.
#2 Food Inc.
Years before Europe found out there was horse meat in its beef, America was fighting cases against contaminated meat and grains, and farmers were being taken to court over seeds carried into their fields by the wind. Director Robert Kenner spent a large portion of the film's budget on protecting himself and his researchers from lawsuits by large food corporations, which is surely the sign of an informative documentary if nothing else. Whilst the segment on meat production might not resonate with audiences outside of the US, the following piece on the unsustainable reliance on grain (both in our food, and livestock feed), is relevant for everyone.
Watch it, and take absolutely ages to do your shopping from now on.
Know more: http://www.fixfood.org/
#3 Inside Job
Thanks to a very good friend, I finally saw this, and it was well worth the wait. If you thought you couldn't understand what caused the global economic crisis, and as a result couldn't form an opinion on it, then this film will change your mind. In-depth analysis of the background to the crisis, the collapse of the banks, and the global response - and a great number of stumped interviewees. Whilst the film has an obvious bias, the people who declined to be interviewed and what is said by the ones who didn't, speaks for itself.
#4 Home
Basically all those incredible aerial shots they show you at the beginning of documentaries compiled into one film with a fantastically informative voice over. Saying any more would ruin it for you, but the documentary set out to highlight how interconnected all earth's inhabitants, and the problems they face are; and it certainly achieves that.
#5 We Steal Secrets: The Story of Wikileaks
A must-see for anyone who even thought they might have had an opinion on either Wikileaks or Julian Assange. Whatever side you fell down on before, this film will lead you closer to the mid-ground and largely feeling just plain confused. A closer look at Assange himself and soldier turned Wikileaks informant, Bradley Manning, An in-depth look at all the prominent events in the development of Wikileaks, but there are no conclusions here. With both Manning and Assange awaiting criminal charges, it is still far too soon to tell what effect these events will have on government intelligence and its relationship with technology.
Coming soon...Salinger
Incredibly reclusive during his lifetime, so it will be incredibly interesting to see what this film contains. Even if it already feels like a massive invasion of privacy.
xx
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