7 Documentaries That Will Change the Way You Look at the World

I am a deeply passionate person; I care about human rights, animal welfare and the environment. I also care about quality entertainment and not being put to sleep whilst I’m educated on important issues. That’s where I think a lot of our schools have failed us; I happen to have enjoyed school as I’m a big NERD, but looking back, we were never educated on how the world actually works and how our actions directly impact our planet and the lives of others. Fortunately, I’m a millennial, which means I have the full weight of the internet, Netflix and Youtube to educate myself now for free. I am a particular fan of documentaries that have me planting trees, recycling my old fashion and signing petitions to free killer whales as soon as the credits roll.

Here are 7 incredible documentaries on a range of important issues that will change the way you look at the world:

1. The True Cost –

This 2015 documentary focuses on the fallout of the west outsourcing the manufacturing of our fashion to countries like India, China and Cambodia. It delves into how these workers must work under dangerous and unfit working conditions, sometimes being paid as little as $3 dollars a day to make the ‘fast fashion’ that we in the West buy and discard at an ever alarming rate.

2. The Greatest Movie Ever Sold –

This is a tongue in cheek ‘exposé’ at how modern day advertising leaks into everything we do and what sort of impact and influence it has on us as consumers. Super Size Me’s Morgan Spurlock comically uses money from advertisements and sponsorships secured in the movie to finance the movie itself. He documents the process of approaching advertisers, through to the interference of his sponsors and finally to the response to the final product. Spurlock also gave an incredible TED Talk on his movie which is free to watch on Youtube.

3. An Inconvenient Truth –

This was the movie that gave us all a sharp wake up call. Al Gore delivered cold hard facts to us in 2006 about the very real affects and impacts climate change was having and continues to have on our planet. This documentary lit a fire under many, motivating a new wave of recycling, clean energy and protests of big oil and fossil fuel efforts. I was super excited to hear the announcement of An Inconvenient Sequel, coming out this August that delves into where we left off, where we are now, and what we can do to limit the effects of global warming. Go and see it to save the word! 

4. Half the Sky –

Half the Sky is a self-proclaimed ‘call to arms,’ and quite possibly one of the most moving documentaries in existence. It follows journalists, activists and celebrities as they explore the injustices, atrocities and violence committed against women across the world. Taking a hard look at the compelling individual stories of women who have survived slavery, sex trafficking, physical abuse, genital mutilation, war and persecution; it’s a difficult, but ultimately hopeful movie that should be watched by both genders.

5. Black Fish –

This is a highly controversial documentary that challenged the attitudes to Orca, (killer whales,) living and performing in captivity. With testimonies from Orca experts, former Sea World employees and family members of the victims killed by Orca; the documentary recounts the many incidents and fatalities that have occurred due to humans having direct contact with the captive whales in the form of live performance shows. Black Fish sparked a worldwide debate and many protests to end the captivity of Orca and release one particular star of Sea World known as Tilikum who spent over three decades in captivity.

6. Tapped –

Do you buy bottled water? This documentary asks: what did you pay for it and how much do you think it’s actually worth? Taking a closer look at the big industries who sell us back our own tap water at 300 percent the original price and what it costs the environment and the small communities who must fight to keep their own clean water in their lakes and streams and off the shelves.

7. Capitalism A Love Story –

Michael Moore returns with another poignant documentary about capitalism in America and how it has allowed the wealthy to ‘legally’ rob citizens of their homes, pensions and rights. Moore delves into Wall Street heavy weights paying off government and even securing places within its walls in order to determine how your money is spent and what on. It explains some of the more complex issues of capitalism and corporate deception in order to demystify some of the economic crisis that saw millions lose their jobs, homes and savings. As well as being an important education, this documentary also has a positive outlook on the way communities, unions and officials have been fighting back against the injustice of big bank bail outs.

So those are my top 7 picks for documentaries that will change the way you view the world, have you seen any we should know about? Leave your suggestions in the comments below and let me know if you have been moved by any of the ones above.