Social & Political Documentary movies

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Steady Intimate Bleak Dry Deliberate

Is American foreign policy dominated by the idea of military supremacy? Has the military become too important in American life? Jarecki's shrewd and intelligent polemic would seem to give an affirmative answer to each of these questions.

Themes

Public manipulation, Military-industrial complex, Perpetual wartime policy, Veterans and casualties, Economic incentives of war, Policy dominance and influence

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Tense Atmospheric Dry Clinical Measured

After being denied access to the Church of Scientology's headquarters, documentarian Louis Theroux teams up with ex-Scientology official Marty Rathbun to stage re-enactments of alleged abuses within the organization. Theroux soon discovers that the church is watching his every move.

Themes

Manipulation of belief, Power dynamics and control, Investigative journalism ethics, Surveillance and intimidation, Authenticity under reconstruction, Authority vs resistance

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Realistic Tense Dry Clinical Measured

Michael Moore comes home to the issue he's been examining throughout his career: the disastrous impact of corporate dominance on the everyday lives of Americans (and by default, the rest of the world).

Themes

Economic inequality, Corporate dominance, Foreclosure and labor action, Plutocracy risk, Democracy over capitalism, Financial exploitation

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Raw Bleak Deliberate Clinical Intense

An in-depth look at the torture practices of the United States in Afghanistan, Iraq and Guantanamo Bay, focusing on an innocent taxi driver in Afghanistan who was tortured and killed in 2002.

Themes

State sanctioned interrogation, Civilian vulnerability in conflict, Bounty driven detentions, Accountability under military power, Expansion of torture practices, Violation of international norms

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Bleak Deliberate Clinical Relentless Minimalist

Since the late 18th century American legal decision that the business corporation organizational model is legally a person, it has become a dominant economic, political and social force around the globe. This film takes an in-depth psychological examination of the organization model through various case studies. What the study illustrates is that in the its behaviour, this type of "person" typically acts like a dangerously destructive psychopath without conscience. Furthermore, we see the profound threat this psychopath has for our world and our future, but also how the people with courage, intelligence and determination can do to stop it.

Themes

Corporate personhood debate, Corporate social responsibility, Economic externalities, Democracy vs markets, Limited liability concept, Private power public welfare

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Tense Steady Dry Clinical Minimalist

A documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.

Themes

Public persuasion challenges, Climate emergency framing, Scientific consensus vs denial, Data driven advocacy, Environmental responsibility ethics, Long-term ecological risk

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Tense Claustrophobic Bleak Dry Fast-paced

Michael Moore's view on how the Bush administration allegedly used the tragic events on 9/11 to push forward its agenda for unjust wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Themes

Media manipulation, Unjust wars, Constitutional shift, Donor influence, Populist appeal, Political intrigue

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Tense Steady Dry Clinical Fast-paced

Morgan Spurlock subjects himself to a diet based only on McDonald's fast food three times a day for thirty days without exercising to try to prove why so many Americans are fat or obese. He submits himself to a complete check-up by three doctors, comparing his weight along the way, resulting in a scary conclusion.

Themes

Dietary self-experimentation, Health deterioration risk, Food industry critique, Addiction and craving, Weight fluctuation consequences, Habits and energy decline

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Immersive Realistic Tense Intimate Deliberate

Documentary depicting the lives of child prostitutes in the red light district of Songachi, Calcutta. Director Zana Briski went to photograph the prostitutes when she met and became friends with their children. Briski began giving photography lessons to the children and became aware that their photography might be a way for them to lead better lives.

Themes

Economic precarity, Child exploitation, Education as opportunity, Outsider mentorship, Marginalization of youth, Art as empowerment

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