Independent Documentary Lives

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Ranked #8,101 in Movies & TV, #312,126 overall

March of the Penguins won the Academy Award this year for best feature documentary. It was one of the highest grossing films of all time, and shortly before this, Bowling for Columbine, SuperSize Me, Control Room, Promises (pictured) and others have captured the general movie goers hearts and minds.

But before Michael Moore, there was Dziga Vertov who sought to show "life as it is" through the moving image. Pennebaker and the Maysles later explored "life caught unawares" with the cinema verite movement. And all along the way, there has been controversy about what happens when you introduce the camera into the lives of others and share it with audiences (Nanook of the North; Triumph of the Will).

At minimum, the documentary form challenges critical thinking on the part of the viewer. You may be lost in the world of Hoop Dreams or The Thin Blue Line, but you leave with questions, and in the best cases, sometimes are even motivated into action.

This lens explores what I think is documentary at its best. It is not only films, but a the generous spirits of makers and subjects willing to open up their lives to us. Sometimes sad, sometimes funny, they strive to help us understand our common humanity.

Docs on the Web

Find not only films to watch, but the community of doc makers and lovers!

Netflix: Netflix has one of THE best documentary collections available to the public. They work hard at moving documentary content to DVD whereas in the past, docs have been distributed almost soley to educational institutions. Check out your local library or university's media collection for the gems that are not on DVD - e.g. Eyes on the Prize.
International Documentary Association: Professional organization for doc makers and doc lovers! The cost of membership gets you International Documentary, one of the best doc mags available.
Film Festival Reporter: Find out what is happening on the scene - film festivals are the media biz professional meetings.
DocuClub (NYC): A great way to see works-in-progress and idea pitches! Not in NY? Check out your local doc festival - DocuClub travels.
DOCULINK: A listserv community for doc makers but open to all - get job postings, Q&A on gear and technical issues, screening announcements, and monthly meetings in LA and San Fran.
The D-Word - documentary discussion forums online: The D-Word hosts documentary discussion forums online. The Forum for non-doc makers and the Community if you are already in the biz.
MediaRights: Database of films new and old, actions items, and news you can use.

My Fav Docs

Not necessarily the top 20 docs of all time...

If you don't like subtitles, go away. Likewise if you only like stories that tie up with a neat bow.

The Five Obstructions by Lars Von Trier
American Splendor by Shari Springer Berman & Robert Pulcini
(This is debatable, but I take the position this is a doc...)
Baraka by Ron Fricke
Genghis Blues by Roko Belic
The Gleaners & I by Agnes Varda
Metallica: Some Kind of Monster by Joe Berlinger & Bruce Sinofsky
Night and Fog by Alain Renais
Promises by B.Z. Goldberg & Carlos Bolado
Naqoyqatsi by Godfrey Reggio
(This is a part of a trilogy, the best of the 3 in my opinion. The others are Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi.)

P.O.V. on your PBS station

The new schedule is out

Public television reaches 90% of television owning homes, and are still programming some of the best in indie docs. Also check out Independent Lens.

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For the film studies geeks,

Of which I am one...

Erik Barnouw traveled the world exploring the roots of documentary. This is the seminal work and it is easy to read. There have been no updates since the early 1990's as Barnouw passed away.