Documentaries : The Essential List
by AfrocentricFilmsCollaborative | created - 22 Apr 2014 | updated - 29 Apr 2022 | PublicAfrocentric Films Collaborative, LLC has put together another exquisite collection of essential cinema. This time we focus on documentary films. AFC loves documentaries, I mean love them, especially powerful encrypted ones with life changing significance. Documentaries are meant to inform and inspire, but most importantly tell a story.
Enjoy!
Afrocentric Films Collaborative
(non-chronological)
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1. Eyes on the Prize (1987–1990)
TV-PG | 360 min | Documentary, History
A documentary about the American Civil Rights Movement from 1952 to 1965.
Stars: Julian Bond, Coretta Scott King, John Lewis, Andrew Young
Votes: 736
2. Planet Earth (2006)
TV-PG | 49 min | Documentary, Family
A documentary series on the wildlife found on Earth. Each episode covers a different habitat: deserts, mountains, deep oceans, shallow seas, forests, caves, polar regions, fresh water, plains and jungles. Narrated by David Attenborough.
Stars: Sigourney Weaver, David Attenborough, Nikolay Drozdov, Thomas Anguti Johnston
Votes: 220,113
3. Africa (2013)
TV-PG | 51 min | Documentary
Africa, the world's wildest continent. David Attenborough takes us on an awe-inspiring journey through one of the most diverse places in the world. We visit deserts, savannas, and jungles and meet up with some of Africa's amazing wildlife.
Stars: David Attenborough, Simon Blakeney, Bill Rudolph, Justine Evans
Votes: 17,115
4. The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution (2015)
Not Rated | 115 min | Documentary, History
This documentary tells the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party, one of the 20th century's most alluring and controversial organizations that captivated the world's attention for nearly 50 years.
Director: Stanley Nelson | Stars: Blair Anderson, Omar Barbour, Julian Bond, Elaine Brown
Votes: 2,144 | Gross: $0.48M
5. The Weather Underground (2002)
Unrated | 92 min | Documentary, History, War
The remarkable story of The Weather Underground, radical activists of the 1970s, and of radical politics at its best and most disastrous.
Directors: Sam Green, Bill Siegel | Stars: Lili Taylor, Pamela Z, Jim Lange, Evan White
Votes: 3,768 | Gross: $0.56M
6. Beautiful People (1974)
G | 92 min | Comedy, Documentary
Hilarious documentary on the wildlife of the Namib Desert.
Director: Jamie Uys | Star: Paddy O'Byrne
Votes: 4,156
7. A Place Called Chiapas (1998)
Not Rated | 89 min | Documentary
When the Zapatista National Liberation Army took over five towns and 500 ranches in southern Mexico, the government deployed its troops and at least 145 people died in the ensuing battle. ... See full summary »
Director: Nettie Wild | Stars: Samuel Ruiz García, Rafael Sebastián Guillén Vicente
Votes: 401 | Gross: $0.23M
8. War Photographer (2001)
96 min | Documentary, War
Documentary about war photographer James Nachtwey, considered by many the greatest war photographer ever.
Director: Christian Frei | Stars: James Nachtwey, Christiane Amanpour, Hans-Hermann Klare, Christiane Breustedt
Votes: 4,302
9. Chisholm '72: Unbought & Unbossed (2004)
Not Rated | 76 min | Documentary
A documentary on Brooklyn-based Congresswoman Shirley's Chisholm's 1972 presidential bid.
Director: Shola Lynch | Stars: Shirley Chisholm, Walter Cronkite, George Wallace, Ralph Abernathy
Votes: 325
10. The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, History
Footage shot by a group of Swedish journalists documenting the Black Power Movement in the United States is edited together by a contemporary Swedish filmmaker.
Director: Göran Hugo Olsson | Stars: Angela Davis, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Abiodun Oyewole
Votes: 2,497 | Gross: $0.26M
11. Reel Bad Arabs: How Hollywood Vilifies a People (2006 Video)
50 min | Documentary, History, War
This groundbreaking documentary dissects a slanderous aspect of cinematic history that has run virtually unchallenged form the earliest days of silent film to today's biggest Hollywood ... See full summary »
Directors: Jeremy Earp, Sut Jhally | Stars: Bo Derek, Ana Obregón, Jack Shaheen
Votes: 622
12. The Central Park Five (2012)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary, Crime, History
A documentary that examines the 1989 case of five black and Latino teenagers who were convicted of raping a white woman in Central Park. After having spent between 6 and 13 years each in prison, a serial rapist confessed to the crime.
Directors: Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, David McMahon | Stars: Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Kharey Wise, Raymond Santana
Votes: 7,933 | Gross: $0.27M
13. Living in Emergency (2008)
Unrated | 120 min | Documentary
In the war-zones of Liberia and Congo, four volunteers with Doctors Without Borders struggle to provide emergency medical care under extreme conditions.
Director: Mark N. Hopkins | Stars: Davinder Gill, Chiara Lepora, Chris Brasher, Tom Krueger
Votes: 1,069 | Gross: $0.03M
14. The Interrupters (2011)
Unrated | 125 min | Documentary, Crime
A year in the life of a city grappling with urban violence.
Director: Steve James | Stars: Tio Hardiman, Ameena Matthews, Toya Batey, Cobe Williams
Votes: 3,615 | Gross: $0.28M
15. Soul Power (2008)
PG-13 | 92 min | Documentary, Music
A filmed account of the Zaire 74 soul music festival, originally intended to be in concert with the famous Rumble in the Jungle bout in Kinshasa, Zaire in 1974.
Director: Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte | Stars: Muhammad Ali, James Brown, Don King, Afrisa
Votes: 925 | Gross: $0.21M
16. Scared Straight! (1978)
TV-PG | 96 min | Crime, Documentary
The filmed depiction of a program where convicts tell troubled kids about the horrors of prison life.
Director: Arnold Shapiro | Stars: Peter Falk, Mickie Cold, Doug Cronin, Carlo Gallo
Votes: 861
17. The Last Lions (2011)
PG | 88 min | Documentary, Family
Fifty years ago there were close to half-a-million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000. To make matters worse, lions, unlike elephants, which are far more numerous, have ... See full summary »
Director: Dereck Joubert | Star: Jeremy Irons
Votes: 4,374 | Gross: $0.64M
18. The Murder of Fred Hampton (1971)
Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
A chronicle of Fred Hampton's revolutionary leadership of the Illinois Black Panther Party, followed by an investigation into his assassination at the hands of the Chicago Police Department.
Director: Howard Alk | Stars: Skip Andrew, Edward Carmody, James Davis, Rennie Davis
Votes: 553
19. Amandla! (2002)
PG-13 | 108 min | Documentary, History, Music
Interviews, archival footage, and filmed performances highlight the role of music in the South African struggle against apartheid.
Director: Lee Hirsch | Stars: Abdullah Ibrahim, Duma Ka Ndlovu, Vusi Mahlasela, Walter Cronkite
Votes: 624 | Gross: $0.40M
20. Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
86 min | Documentary, History
Featuring never-before-seen footage, this documentary delivers a startling new look at the Peoples Temple, headed by preacher Jim Jones who, in 1978, led more than 900 members to Guyana, where he orchestrated a mass suicide via tainted punch.
Director: Stanley Nelson | Stars: Rebecca Moore, Janet Shular, Tim Carter, Stanley Clayton
Votes: 5,641
21. Maya Angelou And Still I Rise (2016)
Not Rated | 114 min | Documentary, Biography, History
The first feature documentary about the remarkable writer, poet, actress, activist Maya Angelou.
Directors: Rita Coburn, Bob Hercules | Stars: Cicely Tyson, Guy Johnson, Diahann Carroll, Don Martin
Votes: 581
22. Buena Vista Social Club (1999)
G | 105 min | Documentary, Music
Aging Cuban musicians whose talents had been virtually forgotten following Castro's takeover of Cuba, are brought out of retirement by Ry Cooder, who travelled to Havana in order to bring the musicians together, resulting in triumphant performances of extraordinary music, and resurrecting the musicians' careers.
Director: Wim Wenders | Stars: Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González, Octavio Calderon
Votes: 20,519 | Gross: $7.00M
23. Thelonious Monk: Straight, No Chaser (1988)
PG-13 | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary film about the life of pianist and jazz great Thelonious Sphere Monk. Features live performances by Monk and his band, and interviews with friends and family about the offbeat genius.
Director: Charlotte Zwerin | Stars: Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Jimmy Cleveland, Harry Colomby
Votes: 1,313 | Gross: $0.52M
24. Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest (2011)
R | 97 min | Documentary, Music
Michael Rapaport documents the inner workings and behind the scenes drama that follows this innovative and influential band to this day.
Director: Michael Rapaport | Stars: Q-Tip, Phife Dawg, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, Jarobi White
Votes: 4,075 | Gross: $1.20M
25. Mama Africa (2011)
90 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Documentary about Miriam Makeba.
Director: Mika Kaurismäki | Stars: Miriam Makeba, Bageot Bah, Harry Belafonte, Stokely Carmichael
Votes: 351 | Gross: $0.01M
26. Dark Girls (2011)
Not Rated | 71 min | Documentary
Documentary exploring the deep-seated biases and attitudes about skin color---particularly dark skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture.
Directors: D. Channsin Berry, Bill Duke | Stars: Soren Baker, Ronald Boutelle, Joni Bovill, Kirk Bovill
Votes: 580
27. Tango Negro: The African Roots of Tango (2013)
93 min | Documentary
Tango Negro, The African Roots of Tango by Angolan filmmaker Dom Pedro explores the expression of Tango's Africanness and the contribution of African cultures in the creation of the tango. ... See full summary »
Director: Dom Pedro | Star: Juan Carlos Cáceres
Votes: 19
28. Mississippi Chicken (2007)
82 min | Documentary
Questions of race, workers' rights and exploitation form the crux of this intriguing documentary about Latin American immigrants living in rural Mississippi, where poultry plants promise ... See full summary »
Director: John Fiege
Votes: 27
29. When We Were Kings (1996)
PG | 88 min | Documentary, Sport
Boxing documentary on the 1974 world heavyweight championship bout between defending champion, George Foreman, and the underdog challenger, Muhammad Ali.
Director: Leon Gast | Stars: Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Don King, James Brown
Votes: 19,129 | Gross: $2.79M
30. Cocaine Cowboys (2006)
R | 118 min | Documentary, Crime, History
The story of how Miami became the cocaine capital of the United States in the early 1980's and the police officers who turned the tide on crime.
Director: Billy Corben | Stars: Jon Roberts, Al Sunshine, Sam Burstyn, Mickey Munday
Votes: 14,089 | Gross: $0.15M
31. Style Wars (1983 TV Movie)
Not Rated | 69 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary that exposes the rich growing subculture of hip-hop that was developing in New York City in the late '70s and early '80s, specifically focusing on graffiti art and breakdancing.
Director: Tony Silver | Stars: Demon, Kase 2, Eric Haze, D. 5
Votes: 3,298
32. Home (I) (2009)
Not Rated | 118 min | Documentary, Family
With aerial footage from fifty-four countries, 'Home' is a depiction of how Earth's problems are all interlinked.
Director: Yann Arthus-Bertrand | Stars: Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Glenn Close, Jacques Gamblin
Votes: 23,047
33. Urbanized (2011)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary
A documentary about the design of cities, which looks at the issues and strategies behind urban design and features some of the world's foremost architects, planners, policymakers, builders, and thinkers.
Director: Gary Hustwit | Stars: Amanda M. Burden, Rem Koolhaas, Norman Foster, Jan Gehl
Votes: 2,304
34. Samsara (I) (2011)
PG-13 | 102 min | Documentary, Music
Filmed over nearly five years in twenty-five countries on five continents, and shot on seventy-millimetre film, Samsara transports us to the varied worlds of sacred grounds, disaster zones, industrial complexes, and natural wonders.
Director: Ron Fricke | Stars: Balinese Tari Legong Dancers, Ni Made Megahadi Pratiwi, Puti Sri Candra Dewi, Putu Dinda Pratika
Votes: 38,028 | Gross: $2.67M
35. Undefeated (2011)
PG-13 | 113 min | Documentary, Sport
Chronicles three underprivileged students from inner-city Memphis and their volunteer coach who tries to help them beat the odds on and off the field.
Directors: Daniel Lindsay, T.J. Martin | Stars: Bill Courtney, O.C. Brown, Montrail 'Money' Brown, Chavis Daniels
Votes: 7,339 | Gross: $0.56M
36. The Seven Five (2014)
R | 104 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Meet the dirtiest cop in NYC history. Michael Dowd stole money and dealt drugs while patrolling the streets of 80s Brooklyn.
Director: Tiller Russell | Stars: Mike Dowd, Ken Eurell, Walter Yurkiw, Chickie
Votes: 6,274 | Gross: $0.01M
37. 13th (2016)
TV-MA | 100 min | Documentary, Crime, History
An in-depth look at the prison system in the United States and how it reveals the nation's history of racial inequality.
Director: Ava DuVernay | Stars: Melina Abdullah, Michelle Alexander, Cory Booker, Dolores Canales
Votes: 37,668
38. Bastards of the Party (2005)
95 min | Documentary
Surrounded by death and the brutal lifestyle that feeds it, a Los Angeles gangbanger explores the history of Southern California street gangs from the 1950s through the 1990s in an attempt ... See full summary »
Director: Cle Sloan | Stars: Daryl Gates, Fred Hampton, Joe Hicks, Ericka Huggins
Votes: 551
39. Earthlings (2005)
95 min | Documentary
Using hidden cameras and never-before-seen footage, Earthlings chronicles the day-to-day practices of the largest industries in the world, all of which rely entirely on animals for profit.
Director: Shaun Monson | Star: Joaquin Phoenix
Votes: 19,801
40. The Union: The Business Behind Getting High (2007)
104 min | Documentary
BC's illegal marijuana trade industry has evolved into a business giant, dubbed by some involved as 'The Union', Commanding upwards of $7 billion Canadian annually. With up to 85% of 'BC ... See full summary »
Director: Brett Harvey | Stars: Adam Scorgie, Chris Bennett, Steve Bloom, Renee Bojee
Votes: 7,833
41. The Bro Code: How Contemporary Culture Creates Sexist Men (2011 Video)
Documentary
The film examines the ways in which media and popular culture trains American boys and men to adopt and celebrate sexist views toward women.
Director: Thomas Keith | Stars: Angel Acosta, Robert Jensen, Thomas Keith, Michael Kimmel
Votes: 40
42. I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
PG-13 | 93 min | Documentary, History
Writer James Baldwin tells the story of race in modern America with his unfinished novel, Remember This House.
Director: Raoul Peck | Stars: Samuel L. Jackson, James Baldwin, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X
Votes: 23,496 | Gross: $7.12M
43. Life and Debt (2001)
Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary
Documentary look at the effects of globalization on Jamaican industry and agriculture.
Director: Stephanie Black | Stars: Belinda Becker, Buju Banton, Horst Köhler, Michael Manley
Votes: 1,033 | Gross: $0.24M
44. Beyond Treason (2005 Video)
89 min | Documentary
This extremely powerful 89 minute film presents comprehensive documentation from United States Government archives of a massive cover-up, including military and civilian experimentation, ... See full summary »
Director: William Lewis | Stars: William Cohen, Matt Gonzalez, David Huxsoll, Bob Jones
Votes: 163
45. Speed Sisters (2015)
78 min | Documentary, Adventure, Drama
The Speed Sisters are the first all-women race car driving team in the Middle East. They're bold. They're fearless. And they're tearing up tracks all over Palestine.
Director: Amber Fares
Votes: 242
46. Bigger Stronger Faster* (2008)
PG-13 | 105 min | Documentary, Sport
An examination of America's win-at-all-cost culture from the perspective of bodybuilding and performance enhancing drugs, as it focuses on a pair of siblings chasing their dream.
Director: Chris Bell | Stars: Chris Bell, Mike Bell, Mark Bell, Hank Aaron
Votes: 13,815 | Gross: $0.31M
47.
American Masters (1985– )
Episode:
No Direction Home: Bob Dylan
(2005)
Not Rated | 208 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A chronicle of Bob Dylan's strange evolution between 1961 and 1966 from folk singer to protest singer to "voice of a generation" to rock star.
Director: Martin Scorsese | Stars: Bob Dylan, B.J. Rolfzen, Dick Kangas, Liam Clancy
Votes: 12,106
48. Harvest of Empire (2012)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, History
A powerful documentary that exposes the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today. From the territorial ... See full summary »
Directors: Peter Getzels, Eduardo Lopez | Stars: Junot Diaz, Luis Enrique, Juan Gonzalez, Maria Hinojosa
Votes: 165 | Gross: $0.06M
49. High Profits (2015– )
42 min | Documentary
Dreams of Empire. In Colorado a young couple set of with a dream to build the worlds first marijuana empire. This takes place on the eve of recreational marijuana open for anyone over 21 ... See full summary »
Stars: Caitlin McGuire, Brian Rogers, Katherine Grimm
Votes: 349
50. Sing Your Song (2011)
Not Rated | 103 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
Most people know the lasting legacy of Harry Belafonte, the entertainer. This film unearths his significant contribution to and his leadership in the civil rights movement in America and to social justice globally.
Director: Susanne Rostock | Stars: Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Marge Champion, Fran Scott Attaway
Votes: 502 | Gross: $0.05M
51. P.O.V. (1988– )
60 min | Documentary
POV, a cinema term for "point of view," is television's longest-running showcase for independent non-fiction films. Since 1988, POV has presented more than 300 of the best, boldest, and ... See full summary »
Stars: Stacey Abrams, Rashida Tlaib, Lucy McBath, Veronica Escobar
Votes: 244
52. We Were Here (I) (2011)
Not Rated | 90 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A deep and reflective look at the arrival and impact of AIDS in San Francisco and how individuals rose to the occasion during the first years of this unimaginable crisis.
Directors: David Weissman, Bill Weber | Stars: Ed Wolf, Daniel Goldstein, Guy Clark, Eileen Glutzer
Votes: 2,280
53. Independent Lens (1999– )
TV-14 | Documentary
Independent Lens is an award-winning PBS documentary series that streams on the PBS App and airs on public television. Independent Lens documentaries focus on stories of underrepresented ... See full summary »
Stars: America Ferrera, Terrence Howard, Stanley Tucci, Mary-Louise Parker
Votes: 634
54. O.J.: Made in America (2016)
TV-MA | 467 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
A chronicle of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, whose high-profile murder trial exposed the extent of American racial tensions, revealing a fractured and divided nation.
Director: Ezra Edelman | Stars: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Mike Albanese, Muhammad Ali, Marcus Allen
Votes: 21,785
55. Seventeen (1983)
Not Rated | 120 min | Documentary
In their final year at Muncie's Southside High School, a group of seniors hurtles toward maturity with a combination of joy, despair, and an aggravated sense of urgency. They are also ... See full summary »
Directors: Joel DeMott, Jeff Kreines
Votes: 220
56. All Things Must Pass (2015)
Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary, History, Music
'All Things Must Pass' is a documentary that explores the rise and fall of Tower Records, and its legacy forged by its rebellious founder, Russ Solomon.
Director: Colin Hanks | Stars: Russ Solomon, Michael Solomon, Heidi Cotler, Paul Brown
Votes: 3,559 | Gross: $0.17M
57. Future by Design (2006)
Not Rated | 86 min | Documentary, Sci-Fi
Future by Design shares the life and far-reaching vision of Jacque Fresco, considered by many to be a modern day Da Vinci. Peer to Einstein and Buckminster Fuller, Jacque is a self-taught ... See full summary »
Director: William Gazecki | Stars: William Gazecki, Jacque Fresco, Larry King, Roxanne Meadows
Votes: 1,443
58. Nefarious: Merchant of Souls (2011)
Not Rated | 96 min | Documentary
A documentary exploring the sex-trade.
Directors: Benjamin Nolot, Matt Dickey | Stars: Christian Simpson, Jon Morgan Woodward, Chad T. Wood, Sarah Agor
Votes: 550
59. Marley (2012)
PG-13 | 144 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the life, music, and legacy of Bob Marley.
Director: Kevin Macdonald | Stars: Bob Marley, Ziggy Marley, Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff
Votes: 14,488 | Gross: $1.41M
60. Berkeley in the Sixties (1990)
Not Rated | 117 min | Documentary, History
A documentary about militant student political activity in the University of California-Berkely in the 1960's.
Director: Mark Kitchell | Stars: Jentri Anders, Joan Baez, Frank Bardacke, Stokely Carmichael
Votes: 776
61. PressPausePlay (2011)
Not Rated | 80 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary that explores how the digital revolution of the last decade has unleashed creativity and talent of people in an unprecedented way.
Directors: David Dworsky, Victor Köhler | Stars: Apparat, Ólafur Arnalds, Scott Belsky, Robyn Carlsson
Votes: 1,519
62. Lesson Plan (2010)
Not Rated | 76 min | Documentary, Biography, History
'Lesson Plan' is a documentary featuring interviews of the original students and teacher of the 1967 Third Wave experiment. This exercise in fascism took place in Palo Alto, California. ... See full summary »
Directors: David Jeffery, Philip Carr Neel | Stars: Ron Jones, Philip Zimbardo, Scott Thomson, Sherry Tousley
Votes: 184
63. Souls of Zen (2012)
Not Rated | 89 min | Documentary
The Japanese population's reaction to the catastrophe of March 2011 has been described as "stoic" by the Western media. The Japanese code of conduct is indeed deeply rooted in their Buddhist traditions.
Directors: Tim Graf, Jakob Montrasio | Stars: Tomonori Abe, The Dalai Lama, Taio Kaneta, Toshiaki Kimura
Votes: 41
64. Wattstax (1973)
R | 103 min | Documentary, Comedy, Music
Documentary covering a Stax Records-sponsored all-day concert at the 1972 Watts Summer Festival with performances by Stax Records artists such as Isaac Hayes, Rufus Thomas, The Staples Singers, and more.
Director: Mel Stuart | Stars: The Dramatics, The Staple Singers, Kim Weston, Jimmy Jones
Votes: 1,089
65. Fillmore (1972)
R | 105 min | Documentary, Music
A dozen rock groups are shown playing in the final five nights of shows leading up the closing of Fillmore West on July 4, 1971.
Director: Richard T. Heffron | Stars: Bill Graham, Marty Balin, Elvin Bishop, Ed Bogas
Votes: 148 | Gross: $0.16M
66. Fidel (2001)
Not Rated | 91 min | Documentary, Biography
Documentary about Fidel Castro, covering 40 years of Cuban Revolution. Rare Fidel Castro footage: he appears swimming with a bodyguard, visiting his childhood home and school, playing with ... See full summary »
Director: Estela Bravo | Stars: Fidel Castro, Muhammad Ali, Harry Belafonte, Angela Davis
Votes: 562 | Gross: $0.12M
67. Globe Trekker (1994– )
TV-14 | 60 min | Documentary, Adventure
The hosts travel to various destinations around the world. As they do, you view their experiences and listen to their critiques along the way.
Stars: Ian Wright, Justine Shapiro, Megan McCormick, Zay Harding
Votes: 906
68. Enemies of the People (2009)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Crime, History
One of the most harrowing and compelling personal documentaries of our time, ENEMIES OF THE PEOPLE exposes for the first time the truth about the Killing Fields and the Khmer Rouge who were behind Cambodia's genocide.
Directors: Rob Lemkin, Thet Sambath | Stars: Thet Sambath, Nuon Chea, Pol Pot, Khieu Samphân
Votes: 555 | Gross: $0.07M
69. Cultures of Resistance (2010)
Not Rated | 73 min | Documentary
Does each gesture really make a difference? Can music and dance be weapons of peace? In 2003, on the eve of the Iraq war, director Iara Lee embarked on a journey to better understand a ... See full summary »
Director: Iara Lee | Stars: Mouneer Al-Shaarani, Shoja Azari, Ola Balogun, Phyllis Bennis
Votes: 110
70. The Skyjacker's Tale (2016)
75 min | Documentary
After five citizens of the Virgin Islands are convicted in the 1970s of a massacre at one of the island's fancy country clubs, their ostensible leader stages a skyjacking and escapes to Cuba.
Director: Jamie Kastner | Stars: Ishmael Muslim Ali, Peter Bent, Daniela Biz, Tainya-Sue Brown
Votes: 78 | Gross: $0.01M
71. Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst (2004)
Not Rated | 89 min | Documentary, History, Mystery
The story of the 1974 kidnap of teenage heiress Patty Hearst, which set off one of the most bizarre episodes in recent American history.
Director: Robert Stone | Stars: Russ Little, Michael Bortin, Timothy Findley, Dan Grove
Votes: 630
72. Pecados de mi padre (2009)
Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary
Nicolas Entel's searing documentary tells the story of Pablo Escobar -- Colombian drug kingpin, murderer and family man -- through the eyes of his son, Sebastian, as well as the sons of two of Escobar's most prominent victims.
Director: Nicolas Entel | Stars: Jorge Enrique Abello, Pablo Escobar, Sebastian Marroquín, María Isabel Santos
Votes: 1,766
73. Save the Children (1973)
G | 123 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary about a concert held in Chicago in 1972.
Director: Stan Lathan | Stars: Cannonball Adderley, Jerry Butler, Sammy Davis Jr., Dennis Edwards
Votes: 57 | Gross: $0.26M
74. Beef (2003)
R | 103 min | Documentary
A documentary on the evolution of MC battles from verbal one-upmanship to street warfare.
Director: Peter Spirer | Stars: Ving Rhames, 50 Cent, Kevin Anderson, B-Real
Votes: 1,037
75. Not Just a Game (2010 Video)
62 min | Documentary, History, Sport
This critique of U.S. sports culture shows how 20th-century sports has consistently reflected the hegemonic political discourse of the day, specifically, elite narratives about nationalism, war, gender, race, homosexuality and capitalism.
Director: Jeremy Earp | Star: Dave Zirin
Votes: 89
76. War Made Easy: How Presidents & Pundits Keep Spinning Us to Death (2007)
Not Rated | 73 min | Documentary, History, War
War Made Easy reaches into the Orwellian memory hole to expose a 50-year pattern of government deception and media spin that has dragged the United States into one war after another from ... See full summary »
Directors: Loretta Alper, Jeremy Earp | Stars: Spiro Agnew, Christiane Amanpour, Peter Arnett, Wolf Blitzer
Votes: 1,137
77. 7 Days in Syria (2015)
Not Rated | 75 min | Documentary, Drama, War
In the most dangerous country in the world for journalists, Newsweek Middle East editor, Janine di Giovanni, risks it all to bear witness, ensuring that the world knows about the suffering of the Syrian people.
Director: Robert Rippberger | Stars: Janine di Giovanni, Nicole Tung, Omar Hattab, Nour Kelze
Votes: 379
78. Michael Jackson's Journey from Motown to Off the Wall (2016)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Music
A look at the life of the late pop star Michael Jackson from his early days at Motown Records to the release of his hit 1979 album, Off the Wall.
Director: Spike Lee | Stars: Michael Jackson, Jackson 5, Berry Gordy, Suzanne De Passe
Votes: 2,424
79. Alice Walker: Beauty in Truth (2013)
84 min | Documentary, Biography, History
This film tells the compelling story of an extraordinary woman's journey from her birth in a paper thin shack in the cotton fields of Georgia to her recognition as a key writer of the ... See full summary »
Director: Pratibha Parmar | Stars: Robert L. Allen, Tony Brown, Angela Davis, Jennifer DeVere Brody
Votes: 74
80. Where to Invade Next (2015)
R | 120 min | Documentary, Comedy
To learn what the USA can learn from other nations, Michael Moore playfully "invades" them to see what they have to offer.
Director: Michael Moore | Stars: Michael Moore, Johnny Fancelli, Christina Fancelli, Lorena Lardini
Votes: 25,700 | Gross: $3.82M
81. Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives (2003)
75 min | Documentary
When the Civil War ended in 1865, more than four million slaves were set free. Over 70 years later, the memories of some 2,000 slave-era survivors were transcribed and preserved by the ... See full summary »
Directors: Ed Bell, Thomas Lennon | Stars: Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bassett, Michael Boatman, Roscoe Lee Browne
Votes: 248
82. The Freshest Kids (2002 Video)
Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary
From the Boogie Down Bronx and beyond, the history of the B-Boy.
Director: Israel | Stars: Afrika Bambaataa, Yasiin Bey, Crazy Legs, Reggie Curry
Votes: 377
83. All My Babies: A Midwife's Own Story (1953)
Not Rated | 55 min | Documentary
Conceived as an educational film for rural midwives, the film presents a beautifully humane profile of the life and work of the midwife "Miss Mary" Coley.
Director: George C. Stoney | Star: Mary Coley
Votes: 141
84. Finding Fela (2014)
Not Rated | 119 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A look at the life and music of Nigerian singer Fela Kuti.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Fela Kuti, Yeni Kuti, Femi Kuti, Seun Kuti
Votes: 848
85. Chicago 10 (2007)
R | 110 min | Documentary, Animation, History
Archival footage, animation, and music are used to look back at the eight anti-war protesters who were put on trial following the 1968 Democratic National Convention.
Director: Brett Morgen | Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Nick Nolte, Roy Scheider, Hank Azaria
Votes: 1,426 | Gross: $0.18M
86. Too Big for the World (2016)
87 min | Documentary
Irene, soon 50 years old and a mother of three, has a life long dream to be the biggest bodybuilder in the world but the biggest competitions in the world are now removing female ... See full summary »
Directors: Hanna Aneröd, Renzo Aneröd | Stars: Irene Andersen, Bob Arnold, Eva Birath, Andreas Cahling
Votes: 39
87. The Untold Story of Emmett Louis Till (2005)
PG-13 | 70 min | Documentary, Biography
Never-before-seen testimony is included in this documentary on Emmett Louis Till, who, in 1955, was brutally murdered after he whistled at a white woman.
Director: Keith Beauchamp | Stars: Mamie Till Mobley, Wheeler Parker, Simeon Wright, Ruthie Mae Crawford
Votes: 518 | Gross: $0.20M
88. The Children's War (2010)
Not Rated | 64 min | Documentary, History, News
A lost generation of Ugandan youth is the result of a 24 year long civil war, where a vicious rebel army leads a massive and coldly systematic child abduction machine.
Director: Andrew Krakower
Votes: 19
89. Soul Train (1971–2006)
TV-14 | 60 min | Music, Talk-Show
Created by music impresario Don Cornelius, Soul Train is an African-American focused music-dance television program that aired 35 years, primarily featuring performances by R&B, soul, funk, pop, and hip hop artists.
Stars: Don Cornelius, Diana Puskas, Queen Turner, Carole Creekmore
Votes: 680
90. Welcome to Warren (2004)
R | 30 min | Documentary, Short, Crime
Most prison documentaries focus on the inmates. This sobering program features guards and prisoners alike, giving the viewer two interpretations of life at Ohio's Warren Correctional ... See full summary »
Director: Brent E. Huffman
Votes: 192
91. The Sixties (2014)
42 min | Documentary, History
Interviews and archival footage focusing on the politics, music, technical advancements, drugs and the "free love" movement of the 1960s.
Stars: John Heilemann, Tim Naftali, Robert Dallek, Dan Rather
Votes: 1,638
92. Planet Rock: The Story of Hip-Hop and the Crack Generation (2011 TV Movie)
84 min | Documentary, Music
A look at the rise of crack cocaine in urban America in the 1980s and it's influence on popular culture, especially in hip-hop music.
Directors: Richard Lowe, Martin Torgoff | Stars: Michelle Alexander, B-Real, Mary Barr, Todd Boyd
Votes: 200
93. Africans in America: America's Journey Through Slavery (1998– )
360 min | Documentary, History
The history of African Americans.
Stars: Angela Bassett, Jeremy Rabb
Votes: 78
94. The Hour of the Furnaces (1968)
Unrated | 260 min | Documentary, History, War
Divided into three segments, namely 1 Neocolonialism, 2 Act for liberation, 3 Violence and liberation, the documentary lasts more than 4 hours this deals with the defense of the revolution ... See full summary »
Directors: Octavio Getino, Fernando E. Solanas | Stars: María de la Paz, Fernando E. Solanas, Edgardo Suárez, Julio Troxler
Votes: 1,188
95. Welfare (1975)
167 min | Documentary
WELFARE shows the nature and complexity of the welfare system in sequences illustrating the staggering diversity of problems that constitute welfare: housing, unemployment, divorce, medical... See full summary »
Director: Frederick Wiseman
Votes: 617
96. Town of Runners (2012)
PG | 80 min | Documentary, Sport
Town of Runners is a feature documentary about young runners from the Ethiopian rural town of Bekoji, home to the current Olympic and World Champions Tirunesh Dibaba and Kenenisa Bekele. ... See full summary »
Director: Jerry Rothwell
Votes: 139
97. An African Election (2011)
Not Rated | 89 min | Documentary, Drama, History
An African Election is a political documentary that exposes the never-before-seen, nitty-gritty of political electioneering in Africa. It captures the intrigues of political campaigns; the ... See full summary »
Directors: Jarreth J. Merz, Kevin Merz
Votes: 94
98. Say Amen, Somebody (1982)
G | 100 min | Documentary, Music
Documentary about the American gospel music scene, focusing on two of the movement's pioneering forces, Thomas A. Dorsey and Willie May Ford Smith.
Director: George T. Nierenberg | Stars: Willie Mae Ford Smith, Thomas A. Dorsey, Sallie Martin, Delois Barrett Campbell
Votes: 429
99. Slavery and the Making of America (2005)
TV-PG | 240 min | History
A documentary of the history of American slavery from its beginnings in the British colonies through the years of post-Civil War Reconstruction, this series examines the integral role ... See full summary »
Stars: Morgan Freeman, Jordan Brown, Justin Jackson, Chauncey Herring
Votes: 152
100. Memoria del saqueo (2004)
120 min | Documentary
After the fall of the military dictatorship in 1983, successive democratic governments launched a series of reforms purporting to turn Argentina into the world's most liberal and prosperous... See full summary »
Director: Fernando E. Solanas | Stars: Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Fernando E. Solanas, Ronnie Wood
Votes: 1,053
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