With more time in our hands, the streaming giant is going all out on releasing non-fiction films and series.
A few months into the quarantine, watching uplifting movies definitely helps in coping with the pandemic. However, if you have run out of feel-good films and series to watch, then why don’t you try entering the world of non-fiction? Netflix has an impressive library of such gripping documentaries—from true crime, nature, to arts and culture, scroll below to see some of the best ones you have to stream right now.
The Social Dilemma (2020)
A fascinating and highly important film, the documentary presents the approach of giant social media companies into manipulating users to fall addicted to their platforms. They harvest our personal data, taking away our agency and ruining people’s lives and society in general. It is terrifying to an extent, especially for non tech-savvy audiences. Nevertheless, this will leave you wanting to dig on your own. The results? It all depends on how you respond to the chilling reality of this hyperactive, digital age.
Chasing Coral (2017)
News of coral reefs and marine creatures disappearing is not new, but director Jeff Orlowski takes audiences deep into the ocean and presents an incredible and cinematic proof of the actual reality. While the visuals are staggering, the camera head to the source of trouble as the coral reefs turn ghostly white, a sign of their death. This catastrophe is definitely part of the climate crisis. While a familiar topic, Chasing Coral presents urgency in taking action to revive the breathtaking vibrancy of these living organisms.
Click here to take action upon watching the documentary.
American Factory (2019)
The pandemic has pushed the world into economic regression—businesses closing down and countless people losing their jobs. A similar pattern of hard work turning to hopelessness is present in American Factory. While it may seem like a sympathetic story, the film shows more than these. The filmmakers follow a glass plant-based in Dayton which was bought by a Chinese company, Fuyao Glass America. We know how America views and feels working with the Chinese, but never the other way around. This documentary explores the other side of the coin as they reopen and restaff the plant. Strange, disturbing, and impactful, American Factory is a must-watch amid the pandemic.
Tell Me Who I Am (2019)
Waking up from a coma with no memories of your life is terrifying, and this is what then-18 year-old Alexis Lewis experienced. Director Ed Perkins reveals how Alex, with the help of his twin brother Marcus, attempt to reconstruct his childhood. Yet as it turns out, secrets and traumas fill Alex’s life. Exploring and shedding light on them becomes a powerful and emotional challenge. It all boils down to the question of how people view and reconcile their past and present even with complicated personal struggles.
Kiss the Ground (2020)
Climate change may not be the most attractive subject out there, but as this documentary proves, seeking solutions to the climate crisis can be equally compelling. Emmy Award-winning actor Woody Harrelson narrates how the earth beneath us (not only air) is key to combating the effects of this crisis. By regenerating the health of Earth’s soils, we can reverse the effects of industrial agriculture that focuses on pesticides, additives, and land-depletion. They present one of the best ways to preserve our lives and enjoy the beauty of the world.
Click here for more information on the documentary.
