Top Ten Documentaries

Another Top Ten for your reading pleasure. Please feel free to comment with your favourite docs!

Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance
directed by Alanis Obomsawin, 1993

A stunning perspective from both on and behind the front lines of the 1990 Oka Crisis in Quebec. Here, relations between the Canadian government and First Nations people came to a head, and Obomsawin does an absolutely stellar job portraying the struggles of the Mohawks in Kanehsatake and the gross injustices they continued to endure at the hands of the ruling order.

A Place Called Chiapas
directed by Nettie Wild, 1998

Another intense Indigenous struggle is fittingly done justice on film. Chronicling the 1994 Zapatista revolution in Mexico, A Place Called Chiapas is another story of a subordinated group of people desperately trying to have their voices heard by a government who would rather have them wither in the periphery. Although it's difficult to cover the history experienced and issues faced by the people of Chiapas in a mere 90 minutes, this documentary is nonetheless a perfect starting point.

When We Were Kings
directed by Leon Gast, 1996

As far as sports documentaries go, there's none better than this one. Director Leon Gast went to Zaire in 1974 to make a film on the "Rumble in the Jungle" - a highly touted boxing match between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman. But because of legal issues, the material he gathered sat idle for more than 20 years. It was finally released, with old and new interviews with some of the key figures. The result? A phenomenal historical athletic (and political) documentary with voices like no other.

Richard Cardinal: Cry From the Diary of a Métis Child
directed by Alanis Obomsawin, 1986

A look at the deplorable efforts of the Children's Aid Society in housing Aboriginal foster children. Richard Cardinal was a Métis teen who hung himself. While this is not rare in many communities, Obomsawin shows you exactly why he did, and how his premature and tragic death could have been avoided. The most emotionally powerful documentary I have ever seen.

Gimme Shelter
directed by Albert Maysles, David Maysles, and Charlotte Zwerin, 1970

One of the first rock n' roll documentaries, and probably the best. For those unfamiliar, it chronicles the debacle that was the Rolling Stones' free concert at Altamont Speedway outside of Oakland. Free show+doped-up hippies+psychedelic music+Hell's Angels doing security=disaster waiting to happen. Too bad it was such a dark chapter in rock history - it was really a stellar lineup.

The "Up" Documentaries
directed by Michael Apted, 1963-1998

An innovative look at life's progression through a camera. Apted began in 1963 with 7 Up, profiling a group of 14 British children at the age of seven. Coming from a variety of backgrounds, the children were asked their life's goals and aspirations. The idea was to follow up with the same kids every seven years, well into the 21st Century. The most recent installment is 1998's 42 Up. These films are a remarkable look at how life can unfold, documenting these kids' journeys every step of the way.

Memorandum
directed by Donald Brittain, 1965

Holocaust survivors return to Germany two decades after fleeing the Nazi's scourge. A compelling illustration of the mentalities of both 1960s Germany and the Jewish people who initially fled - generally, shame and bitterness respectively. A truly powerful film, touching on how survivors have lived since, the trials of the Nazi war criminals, and how all parties are coping in the aftershock of one of the greatest horrors in human history.

Manufacturing Consent
directed by Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick, 1992

An ominous look at how government and corporate media work hand-in-hand to create a monstrous and indestructible propaganda machine. Based almost entirely on the arguments of media watchdog Noam Chomsky and his struggles as a political outsider against said machine. Required viewing for anyone working in media. Very eerily prophetic.

Fahrenheit 9/11
directed by Michael Moore, 2004

Even if you haven't seen this yet, I don't have to summarize what it's about. You've no doubt heard. But whereas Moore's past documentaries have bordered on the incredible, F9/11 is a timely and effective look at how one group of people has lied to the people it rules and continually driven the country it runs into the gutter. Frustrating to watch because of the subject matter, but strongly compelling journalism on behalf of Moore and his crew.

Hype!
directed by Doug Pray, 1996

Pure nostalgia for anyone who grew up in the early 1990s. Hype! examines the incubation and explosion of the Seattle music scene at the time - paving the way for the "grunge" movement that gripped the mainstream for close to half a decade. Fascinating interviews with some of the key players (and our favourite musicians). Even if you didn't like grunge music, this doc is a great look at the nature of pop culture and the people who follow it.

Posted by waub at September 26, 2004 09:16 PM