Documentaries that Explore Social, Economical and Cultural Issues
This is a list of fly-on-the-wall documentaries that explore many different social and economical issues such as addiction, homelessness, poverty, mental health issues etc. These documentaries are harrowing and brutal to watch, but ultimately are a must watch for anyone who would like to observe human nature at its most fallible. All recommendations, and suggestions are very much welcome.
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- DirectorJon AlpertStarsFreddyMichael JandreauRobertDocumentary maker Jon Alpert follows three petty criminals in Newark. Filmed by a hidden camera, the three are stealing, using drugs, getting caught and convicted.
- DirectorJon AlpertStarsDelirisFreddyRobertThe chance to show redemption, even if that chance was slim, was enough to send Alpert back to the streets of Newark for "Life of Crime 2".
- DirectorPaul WatsonDocumentary on four alcoholics living in Kent, England.
- DirectorDana Heinz PerryStarsEvan Scott PerryDana Heinz PerryHart PerryFilmmaker Dana Perry documents the life of her son, Evan, a 15-year-old who committed suicide.
- DirectorSteven BognarJulia ReichertStarsJustin AshcraftAdam AshcraftDale AshcraftFive families struggle with the ups and downs of cancer treatment over the course of six years.
- DirectorAllan KingStarsPhyllis BobbittJoyce BoneNorman CollinsDirector Allan King documents the final months of five terminally ill cancer patients at the Toronto Grace Health Centre.
- DirectorAra ChekmayanRichard KotukStarsPeter ThomasRichard KotukJohn BrooksA significant number of American children and teenagers - from all social backgrounds - suffer from mental disorders, schizophrenia, autism and emotional problems, leading them to isolation from society while treating their issues in mental health facilities. But there's no end in sight for those young individuals when they face obstacles and mistreatments in inadequate places under the supervision of careless and inexperienced professionals. The documentary follows some of those public mental institutions and another private center dealing with troubled kids and reveals what's wrong with their procedures, and the irreparable harm they cause in those patients.
- DirectorMaryann DeLeoRichard FarrellStarsDicky EklundDocuments 18 months in the lives of three crack addicts in Lowell, Massachusetts.
- DirectorRowan DeaconSimon debates whether to end his life after being diagnosed with motor neurone disease.
- DirectorEdet BelzbergStarsCristina IonescuMihai Alexandre TudoseVioleta 'Macarena' RosuA profile of homeless Romanian children who were born victims of the nation's reckless population growth policy during its communist era.
- DirectorKiyotaka TsurisakiStarsFroilan OrozcoA Documentary about the grim work of an embalmer in one of the poorest and most dangerous parts in Colombia.
- DirectorMarc SingerStarsMarc SingerA cinematic portrait of the homeless population who live permanently in the underground tunnels of New York City.
- DirectorJon AlpertStarsDelirisFreddyRobertA relentless ride through the streets and prisons of Newark, New Jersey's largest city, and desperate fight to survive the deadliest enemy ever to attack America.
- DirectorMartin BellStarsAnnieEddieAntoineGritty documentary that looks at the lives of teenagers living on the streets of Seattle.
- DirectorBrent RenaudCraig Renaud[HBO] HD. This documentary looks at meth addiction in rural America from the perspective of dealers, users and law enforcement.
- DirectorOndi TimonerStarsMorgan DoctorRachel MaddowDavid TimonerIn his final days, we discover Eli Timoner and an extraordinary life of wild achievements, tragic loss and most of all, enduring love. LAST FLIGHT HOME shares a stunning verité account of a courageous family confronting life and death.
- DirectorPeter NicksStarsSean BennettGo behind the doors of an American public hospital struggling to care for a community of largely uninsured patients.
- DirectorLiz GarbusDocumentary chronicling America's justice system. Follows two female inmates - victims of horrific violence and tragedy - who are serving time in a Maryland juvenile detention center.
- DirectorSteven OkazakiStarsTracey HeltonAlice McMunnJessica SnowThis documentary follows the lives of a number of heroin addicts in the U.S.A. It shows their heroin life stories.
- DirectorJohn KastnerStarsJohn BradfordSharon CapperElizabeth JamesProfiles four residents of the Brockville Mental Health Centre, a forensic psychiatric hospital for people who have committed violent crimes.
- DirectorPeter FriedmanTom JoslinStarsLiane BoninTom JoslinMark MassiA documentary about two gay men as they live through their last months of life with AIDS.
- DirectorFrida BarkforsLasse BarkforsStarsWilliam J. Fuery Jr.Tracy HutchinsonJames BroderickPervert Park follows the everyday lives of the sex offenders in the park as they struggle to reintegrate into society.
- DirectorArthur GinsbergStarsJoel CraigerKen MagidBeth ThomasSix-year-old Beth talks to a therapist about the horrific abuse she has suffered as well as the abuse she inflicts upon small animals and her own brother. This film documents her subsequent healing and recovery.
- DirectorJonathan KarshStarsSusan TomAnthony TomFaith TomDocumentary following Susan Tom of Fairfield, California and her 11 adopted special needs children.
- DirectorJeremy ErvineStarsPeter ShortRodney SymeRichard Di NatalePeter Short, the charismatic CEO of a major Australian company, learns that he has only months to live after he is diagnosed with terminal oesophageal cancer. Not wanting to face a painful death, Peter decides to source the lethal drug Nembutal, giving him the option to end his own life peacefully. With the help of a rogue doctor who supplies the drug to suffering patients, Peter sets out to have voluntary euthanasia legalised in Australia.