Who isn’t guilty of zoning out in front of some mindless trash after a long week? Netflix is as much a blessing as it is a curse, which becomes all too evident when you look down at your crumb-covered shirt in disgust as you reach for the button to say you’re still watching. Now we aren’t saying to throw your movie day out the window, but as appealing as it is to rewatch Stranger Things for the billionth time, why not dig into a good doco or two so you can at least feel semi good about spending hours glued to a screen? Netflix has a surprisingly diverse range of documentaries on offer, so add these to your list for some rainy-day watching.
Seeing Allred
Women’s Rights Attorney Gloria Allred has been widely construed in a negative light due to her controversial approaches to spreading her message, though as Seeing Allred shows, women like Allred are integral to Trump’s America. The documentary provides a look at the feminist movement in terms of both a legal standpoint as well as highlighting how far we have come in terms of gender-equality – though not disguising how far we have left to go. Following Allred’s career and the incessant stream of bullshit she has risen above in a bid for equality makes for an uplifting and empowering watch.
Amy
Amy digs deep into the addiction, aversion to fame and heartbreak that together, led to the demise of Amy Winehouse. Through weaving footage of the star with commentary from those close to her, Amy paints a picture of a warm-hearted woman and the implications of her struggle with fame and the pressures it posed. This is a hard watch, it feels almost too personal and intimate and you will certainly have your heart torn out after seeing the facts of this devastating story laid out so plainly. The storyline is crafted so perfectly that you’ll find yourself wondering how nobody saw the warning signs in time to prevent her self-destruction.
Somm
This one is a double whammy for those who want to sit back and watch something good with a glass of wine in hand. You may consider yourself an expert but watching Somm is likely to knock you down a few pegs. The film follows four wine-enthusiasts in the lead up to the Master Sommelier exam – an exam with some of the lowest pass rates in the world – uncovering a whole world you didn’t know existed behind the profession in the process. Enjoy this doco with a glass of stress-free red and say cheers to your suddenly not so bad career choices.
The Hunting Ground
The Hunting Ground is one of those documentaries that stays with you long after the final credits have finished rolling. The film explores the staggering statistics of sexual assault rates on American college campuses and the extreme lengths the schools go to cover up these assaults in order to keep their reputations in tact. Unapologetically naming and shaming schools and proven perpetrators, the film is highly controversial in method though essential in opening the conversation around rape culture on college campuses. Be mindful, this content is very heavy and comes with a trigger warning.
Icarus
Having recently won an Oscar for Best Documentary, this Netflix original is definitely a must watch. Icarus is pure serendipity, created after director Brian Fogel set out to prove how easy it is to beat anti-doping methods in amateur cycling races and wound up uncovering a massive Russian doping scandal, with Fogel even chatting to one of Putin’s most-wanted whistleblowers. Not only is this interesting in content, it is beautifully shot and extremely entertaining – even to those who may not necessarily care about cycling.
Before the Flood
Basically, the modern day answer to An Inconvenient Truth, only with a bigger budget, Before the Flood is a sure fire way to get you into panic mode as you vow to change your entire lifestyle to save the planet. The film follows Leonardo Di Caprio’s extensive search for information on how to reduce the carbon footprint caused by our lavish lifestyle’s as well as inspecting the irreversible damage humans have caused so far. This film’s most notable quality is that it takes a very broad look at the issue, investigating a range of different countries and how their habits add fuel to the fire.
13th
Nominated for an Academy Award this year, 13th explores the justice system in America and how the mass incarceration of African American citizens reflects the deeply rooted racism still rampant in the country’s law enforcement processes. Named after the country’s 13th amendment which prohibits slavery and involuntary servitude for the innocent, the film is an infuriating insight into the discrimination black Americans still face. Directed by Ava DuVernay, whose film Selmawas another massive success, 13th is as important as it is brilliant.
Into the Inferno
Infamous director Werner Herzog has built a career around being both a fearless character and aiming to expose truth through his cinematic endeavours, so it is no surprise his most recent effort Into the Inferno sees him on the other side of the camera as he and volcanologist and co-director Clive Oppenheimer as the pair traverse the globe to get up close and personal with active volcanoes across the earth. In a bid to examine the relationship between humankind and these highly dangerous natural wonders.
