Biography
This documentary sub-heading is one of the most popular forms of non-fiction film. The biography details the lives - usually the achievements and faults of - noted or notorious public figures. Also included, alongside other movie types, are profiles of everyday people and their human interest stories.
Kingdom of Dreams and Madness (2013)
7.8/10
Director: Mami Sunada
Starring: John Lasseter, Hideaki Anno, Toshio Suzuki, Isao Takahata, Hayao Miyazaki
This visit to Studio Ghibli proves gratifyingly akin to the pleasure of watching the films produced there. The place even looks like a Miyazaki movie,... Read more
7 Up and 7 + 7 ( 14 Up ) (1963)
8/10
Director: Michael Apted
Dubbed 'the definitive documentary' produced and directed by Michael Apted. Beginning in 1963 a camera has followed a group of children from the age o... Read more
Nikola Tesla: The Life and Times of a Forgotten Genius (2004)
8.9/10
Nikola Tesla's tragic life, his alliance with Westinghouse, his dealings with Thomas Edison and even Mark Twain, are outlined in this informative docu... Read more
The Arbor (2010)
7.2/10
Director: Clio Barnard
A fascinating fusion of narrative and documentary from director Clio Barnard, "The Arbor" tells the powerful true story of Bradford playwright Andrea... Read more
Cobain: Montage of Heck (2015)
7.5/10
Director: Brett Morgen
Starring: Kurt Cobain
'Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck' explores the indelible record of a life lived on the fine edge between madness and genius, painting a searing and unfor... Read more
Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer (2003)
7.1/10
Director: Joan Churchill, Nick Broomfield
Starring: Aileen Wuornos
Returning to the subject of his 1992 documentary, "Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer", co-director Nick Broomfield delves into Wuornos' t... Read more
Mark Twain (2001)
8.4/10
Director: Ken Burns
Nearly three years in the making and drawing from 63 hours of material, thousands of archival photographs and nearly 20 interviews with top writers an... Read more
49 Up (2005)
8.2/10
Director: Michael Apted
And now they are 49. Michael Apted's legendary social experiment continues with 10 of the original 12 participants taking part. With each entry seem... Read more
Gardening with Soul (2013)
6.7/10
Director: Jess Feast
Starring: Sister Loyola Galvin
Sister Loyola is one of the liveliest nonagenarians you could ever meet. As the main gardener at the Home of Compassion in Island Bay, Wellington, her... Read more
In Search of Beethoven (2009)
7.5/10
Director: Phil Grabsky
Starring: Juliet Stevenson, (narrated by)
Juliet Stevenson ('Truly, Madly, Deeply') narrates this documentary account of the life of composer Ludwig von Beethoven, covering all the major highl... Read more