Documentaries
Documentary Films, strictly speaking, are non-fictional, "slice of life" factual works of art, sometimes known as cinema verite. As films became more narrative-based, documentaries branched out and took many forms, some of which have been termed propagandistic or non-objective.
One of Alice's favourite sections, and due to the sheer size of this collection, we have split ioto a number of sub-sections. See side bars on left for more options. By scrolling below are you will be exposed to whole darn caboodle - all of Alice's documentaries.
Right: Werner Herzog directs "Burden of Dreams"
Powaqqatsi (1988)
7.3/10
Director: Godfrey Reggio
"Life in Transformation". As a follow up to "Koyaanisqatsi", this visual montage shows how the Third World societies have been exploited. Beautifully... Read more
The Thin Blue Line (1988)
8/10
Director: Errol Morris
Starring: Randall Adams, David Harris, Edith James
An extraordinary film that expands all notions of film documentaries as director Errol Morris ('A Brief History of Time') personally investigates the... Read more
Clive James in Japan (1987)
Starring: Clive James
Clive James finally travels to Japan and finds out for himself what it's like to participate in the kind of crazy game show he has observed for so lon... Read more
Joseph Campbell: The Hero's Journey (1987)
8.8/10
Starring: Joseph Campbell
One of the greatest storytellers of our time, and arguably the greatest mythologist, Joseph Campbell spent most of his long, rich career explaining ho... Read more
The First Eden (1987)
8/10
Starring: David Attenborough
The Mediterranean is the cradle of Western civilization and Attenborough traces its history of plant, animal and human life in a narrative that portra... Read more
Korea: The Forgotten War (1987)
7.5/10
Starring: Narrated by, Robert Stack
In June 1950, the North Korean Army initiated a massive attack on its southern neighbour, beginning a see-saw battle that would engulf the entire Kore... Read more
Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh (1987)
8.4/10
Director: Paul Cox
Starring: John Hurt
This film reinforces director Paul Cox's status as a great, driven artist, as he explores the life of another great artist. He visualises the trees, f... Read more
Vincent: The Life and Death of Vincent Van Gogh (Copy) (1987)
7.7/10
Director: Paul Cox
Starring: John Hurt
This film reinforces director Paul Cox's status as a great, driven artist, as he explores the life of another great artist. He visualises the trees, f... Read more
Chanel, Chanel (1986)
Director: Eila Hershon, Roberto Guerra
Starring: Diana Quick, (narrated by)
Aka "Chanel and Her World". Chanel, more than just one of the world's most successful fashion labels, also the name of a woman who led a fascinating l... Read more
And the Pursuit of Happiness (1986)
7.2/10
Director: Louis Malle
Starring: Louis Malle
For a period of about three months in 1986, celebrated French director Louis Malle grabbed his camera and took a tour of immigrant communities and ref... Read more