Six documentaries we should all watch right now
Like everyone else, we’ve sat scrolling on Netflix for hours at a time just to settle on something we’ve watched dozens of times. Now is the time to be choosing something that will stimulate our brains and will make us really think about the world once those closing credits are rolling down the screen.
Netflix have been a front runner in producing fantastic and progressive content for the past few years and have very recently added a Black Lives Matter section to their ever-growing streaming service, ensuring an easy way for us to find important documentaries, series and films to educate and spread the word.
We have chosen just a small handful of what’s on offer currently from Netflix as a starting point on our journey of continuous education, knowledge and progression.
Next time we’re in the ‘endless scroll situation’, we know that we have a whole library of insightful content at our fingertips. And we can always go back and re-watch old episodes of your favourite sitcom afterwards.
Becoming
Join former first lady Michelle Obama in an intimate documentary looking at her life, hopes and connections with others as she tours with her internationally best selling book “Becoming”.
Described by Netflix as: Intimate, Feel-Good, Inspiring.
Period. End of Sentence.
In rural India, where the stigma of menstruation persists, women make low-cost sanitary pads on a new machine and stride towards financial independence.
Described by Netflix as: Inspiring.
13th
In this thought-provoking documentary, scholars, activists and politicians analyse the criminalisation of African Americans and the U.S. prison boom.
Described by Netflix as: Provocative, Investigative.
Knock Down the House
Go behind the scenes as four determined women – including Alexandria Ocasino-Cortex – challenge big-money politicians in the 2018 race for Congress.
Described by Netflix as: Provocative.
What Happened, Miss Simone?
Using never-before-heard recordings, rare archive footage and her best-known songs, this is a story of legendary singer and activist Nina Simone.
Described by Netflix as: Intimate, Investigative.
The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson
As she fights the tide of violence against trans women, activist Victoria Cruz probes the suspicious 1992 death of her friend Marsha P. Johnson.
Described by Netflix as: investigative, emotional.
Author: FI KIEVENAAR
Fi Kievenaar has worked for over five years in film and entertainment PR in the UK for clients including 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers and Lionsgate, creating campaigns for Academy Award winning films such as La La Land and the Judy Garland biopic Judy. She has also recently freelanced as a PR & social consultant for a production company at Adelaide Fringe Festival in Australia.
Her passion for creative writing began while writing features for films as part of her PR role, which developed into writing promotional scripts for film talent such as Ryan Reynolds and Mila Kunis.
Obsessed with film, Fi can be found reading up on the latest releases, rewatching her favourites or soaking up documentaries on nature or space – especially when David Attenborough is involved.