Political Docos
Due to the great influx of socio-political documentaries over the last couple of years, Alice thought it was time they had a section of their own. Included here are political bios ('Comandante', 'Mahatma Gandhi: Pilgrim of Peace'); films dealing with the mechanics of politics ('Rats in the Ranks', 'The War Room'); and those dedicated to political issues as diverse as homelessness ('It Was A Wonderful Life'), the death penalty ('Mr Death: The Rise and Fall of Fred A Leuchter Jr'), corporate depletion of natural resources ('End of Suburbia'); civil rights ('4 Little Girls') and corruption ('Fahrenheit 911). Undoubtedly two stars of the genre are two very different men, extroverted funnyman, Michael Moore ('Roger and Me') and soft-spoken professor, Noam Chomsky ('Manufacturing Consent'), pictured.
Soundtrack for a Revolution (2009)
7.6/10
Director: Bill Guttentag, Dan Sturman
Starring: Harry Belafonte, Richie Havens, Wyclef Jean, John Legend, The Blind Boys of Alab...
This music documentary tells the story of the American civil rights movement through its powerful music - the freedom songs protesters sang on picket... Read more
Space Race (2005)
8.5/10
Director: Mark Everest, Christopher Spencer
The BBC used a combination of real footage, commentary and dramatization for this four-part series about one of the most exhilarating times in history... Read more
Speer and Hitler: The Devil's Architect (2005)
Director: Heinrich Breloer
Starring: Sebastian Koch, Tobias Moretti, Dagmar Manzel, Eva Hassmann
This excellent German docu-drama series explores in detail the relationship between Hitler and his chief architect, Albert Speer. Combining re-enactme... Read more
Standard Operating Procedure (2008)
7.5/10
Director: Errol Morris
Master documentarian Errol Morris takes an unflinching look at the Abu Ghraib prison scandal while meditating on the frightening side effects of the '... Read more
Standard Operating Procedure (Blu-ray) (2008)
7.4/10
Director: Errol Morris
Master documentarian Errol Morris takes an unflinching look at the Abu Ghraib prison scandal while meditating on the frightening side effects of the '... Read more
Status Anxiety (2004)
8/10
Director: Neil Crombie
Starring: Alain De Botton
Philosopher and author Alain de Botton believes there's something the vast majority of people desire even more than money. Whatever their background o... Read more
Suicide Killers (2006)
6.5/10
Director: Pierre Rehov
An in-depth documentary that attempts to unwind the psycho-pathology behind suicide bombers, and more specifically Palestinian suicide bombers. Filmm... Read more
Super Size Me (2004)
7.2/10
Director: Morgan Spurlock
Starring: Morgan Spurlock
What would happen if you were to eat only food from McDonald's for an entire month? That question is answered in this controversial - and wildly enter... Read more
Sympathy for the Devil (1968)
6.4/10
Director: Jean-Luc Godard
Starring: The Rolling Stones
French director Jean-Luc Godard's documentation of late '60s western counter-culture intercuts footage of the Rolling Stones hard at work on their 'Be... Read more
Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)
7.6/10
Director: Alex Gibney
A perpetually shocking documentary exposing the Bush administration's use of torture when dealing with political prisoners, focusing in particular on... Read more