documentary-style backdrop

Movies with documentary-style vibe

211. The Stoning of Soraya M.

The Stoning of Soraya M.
Crime Drama Historical Drama
7.9
20091h 54minUnited States
Director: Cyrus Nowrasteh

Overview

In 1986 Iran, Sahebjam, whose car breaks down in a remote village, enters into a conversation with Zahra, who relays to him the story about her niece, Soraya, whose arranged marriage to an abusive tyrant ended in tragedy.

Themes

Mob justice, Religious authority and justice, Gender-based violence, Patriarchal control, Honor and double standards, Rumor and manipulation

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

212. Away We Go

Away We Go
Drama Comedy Romance Romantic Comedy Family Drama
7.0
20091h 38minUnited Kingdom, United States
Director: Sam Mendes

Overview

Verona and Burt have moved to Colorado to be close to Burt's parents but, with Verona expecting their first child, Burt's parents inexplicably decide to move to Belgium, now leaving them in a place they hate and without a support structure in place. They set off on a whirlwind tour of of disparate locations where they have friends or relatives, sampling not only different cities and climates but also different families. Along the way they realize that the journey is less about discovering where they want to live and more about figuring out what type of parents they want to be.

Themes

In-law absence tension, Relocation pressures shape parenting, Radical parenting ideals, Memory anchors belonging, Adopted kin as family, Interracial relationship strain

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

213. Castaway on the Moon

Castaway on the Moon
Drama Comedy Romance Bittersweet Romance Relationship Drama
8.0
20091h 59minSouth Korea
Director: Lee Hae-jun

Overview

Mr. Kim is jobless, lost in debt and has been dumped by his girlfriend. He decides to end it all by jumping into the Han River – only to find himself washed up on a small, mid-river island. He soon abandons thoughts of suicide or rescue and begins a new life as a castaway. His antics catch the attention of a young woman whose apartment overlooks the river. Her discovery changes both their lives.

Themes

Isolation and longing, Urban alienation, Debt and escape, Improvised communication, Accidental companionship, Resilience through improvisation

Available on

The Roku Channel
Tubi TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

214. Welcome

Welcome
Drama Romance Coming-of-Age Drama Passionate Romance
7.5
20091h 50minFrance, United Kingdom
Director: Philippe Lioret

Overview

Bilal is 17 years old, a Kurdish boy from Iraq. He sets off on an adventure-filled journey across Europe. He wants to get to England to see his love who lives there. Bilal finally reaches Calais, but how do you cover 32 kilometers of the English Channel when you can't swim? The boy soon discovers that his trip won't be as easy as he imagined... The community of struggling illegal aliens in Calais

Themes

Refugee mobility pressures, Illegal immigration hazards, Mentorship and shelter dynamics, Family opposition to unions, Cross-border longing, Diaspora resilience

Available on

Kanopy
France Channel Amazon Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

215. He's Just Not That Into You

He's Just Not That Into You
Comedy Romance Drama Romantic Comedy Relationship Drama
6.4
20092h 9minUnited States
Director: Ken Kwapis

Overview

Have you ever sat by the phone wondering why he said he would call, but didn't, or you can't figure out why she doesn't want to sleep with you anymore, or why your relationship just isn't going to the next level... they're just not that into you. Gigi just wants a man who says he'll call—and does—while Alex advises her to stop waiting by the phone. Beth wants a proposal after years of a committed relationship with her boyfriend, Neil, who sees nothing wrong with the status quo. Janine's not sure if she can trust her husband, Ben, who can't quite trust himself around Anna. Anna can't decide between the sexy married guy, or her straightforward, no-sparks standby, Conor, who can't get over the fact that he can't have her. And Mary, who's found an entire network of loving, supportive men, just needs to find one who's straight.

Themes

Commitment pressure, Misread signals, Fidelity and temptation, Marriage expectations, Friendship to romance

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

216. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Documentary Crime True Crime Documentary
8.5
20081h 33minUnited States
Director: Kurt Kuenne

Overview

In 2001, Andrew Bagby, a medical resident, is murdered not long after breaking up with his girlfriend. Soon after, when she announces she's pregnant, one of Andrew's many close friends, Kurt Kuenne, begins this film, a gift to the child.

Themes

Loss and custody battles, Bail law reform, Grief and parenthood, Public scrutiny and legal process, Survivor activism after tragedy, Intergenerational impact of loss

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

217. Berlin Calling

Berlin Calling
Comedy Drama Music Psychological Drama Backstage & Showbiz Music
7.2
20081h 45minGermany
Director: Hannes Stöhr

Overview

A man tours clubs around the globe with his manager and girlfriend. On the eve of their largest album release he is admitted to a psychiatric clinic after overdosing at a gig.

Themes

Institutional control, Addiction and relapse, Fame versus therapy, Relationship strain under crisis, Production pressure, Club culture excess

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

218. The Baader Meinhof Complex

The Baader Meinhof Complex
Action Crime Drama History Thriller
7.3
20082h 29minCzechia, France
Director: Uli Edel

Overview

When German police viciously quell a protest against the shah of Iran, popular journalist Ulrike Meinhof rebels against her dishonest marriage, walks away from her children and joins radical anarchist Andreas Baader. Together with Baader's girlfriend, Gudrun Ensslin, they form the violent Red Faction Army, and together perpetrate a slew of terrorist attacks as a way of disrupting the fabric of what they see as an increasingly fascist state.

Themes

Journalism versus militancy, State repression of protests, Terrorism as political instrument, Prison hunger strike dynamics, Leftist radicalism and violence, Foreign training and guerrilla tactics

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
The Roku Channel
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

219. The Class

The Class
Drama Coming-of-Age Drama
7.5
20082h 8minFrance
Director: Laurent Cantet

Overview

Teacher and novelist François Bégaudeau plays a version of himself as he negotiates a year with his racially mixed students from a tough Parisian neighborhood.

Themes

Youth ambition and resistance, Language and literacy pressures, Cultural diversity in schooling, Class inequality in education, Immigrant youth experiences, Classroom discipline and authority

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

220. Flash of Genius

Flash of Genius
Drama Legal Drama
7.0
20081h 59minUnited States
Director: Marc Abraham

Overview

In this David vs. Goliath drama based on a true story, college professor Robert Kearns goes up against the giants of the auto industry when they fail to give him credit for inventing intermittent windshield wipers. Kearns doggedly pursues recognition for his invention, as well as the much-deserved financial rewards for the sake of his wife and six kids.

Themes

Pursuit of recognition, Ownership vs credit, Corporate appropriation fear, Patent disputes, Personal sacrifice under pressure, Legal battles

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.