7 Social Justice Documentaries To Keep You Informed About Global Issues

Lists

17 Jun

Documentary filmmaking has always been used as a medium to tell us real stories about the world, especially the ones that need to be heard. With social justice documentaries, filmmakers explore the harsh realities of life that we shouldn’t hide from. They can remind us of a history that must never be repeated, or highlight issues that need to be fought against. Social Justice documentaries are a vital form of journalism that spread much needed awareness of global issues. Whether it be about healthcare, racism, women's rights, LGBT+ rights, or disability rights, here are 7 social justice documentaries that will keep you informed about the world's biggest problems.

Crip Camp

Crip Camp recounts the days of Camp Jened, a summer camp for disabled people. With extraordinary black-and-white footage, the documentary remembers a place of strong community. It’s made clear that the camp treated the young people like they would anyone else at a camp, with fairness and equality in a non-patronising way. The footage speaks for itself, showing the camp members to be normal teenagers having a good time, not subjects of pity. However, the real story is how self worth and affection taught in youth can lead to radical change. Much of the documentary focuses on the post camp years, where many of the participants joined the disability rights movement of the 1970s. Crip Camp paints a beautiful portrait of wholesomeness and perseverance.

Crip Camp on Wikipedia

They’re Trying To Kill Us

They’re Trying To Kill Us shines a light on the systematic racism deeply embedded into the structures of American society. The documentary follows filmmaker John Lewis as he explores the links between food, medicine, poverty, and racism. With interviews of doctors, activists, and celebrities, They’re Trying To Kill Us is a reminder that the disproportionate correlation between disease and race is a purposeful system, designed to benefit the wealthy. Beautifully filmed, insightful, and detailed, They’re Trying To Kill Us is an important film that anyone who wants to broaden their awareness of social injustices should watch.

They’re Trying To Kill Us on Wikipedia

MLK/FBI

Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the most important figures in the civil rights movement until his assasination in 1968. MLK/FBI explores the disturbing surveillance and harassment from the US government King faced. Based on recently declassified documents, the documentary goes into detail about the FBI’s appalling campaign to sabotage King by bugging his hotel rooms and even defaming him. MLK/FBI is a damming portrayal of the dysfunctionality of the justice system, and how it tried to bring down a man who wanted to do something about the sickness within America.

👉 Watch MLK/FBI on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy MLK/FBI as DVD on Amazon

Writing With Fire

Deep in the North of India, a truly inspiring event occurred when a group of Dalit women formed an all-female reporting team. Born into the lowest caste of India and bred to do menial jobs, Dalit women are historically disadvantaged. When faced with building their own news organisation in a male dominated industry, an incredible amount of dedication and resilience is required. Writing With Fire follows the all female team of the news network Khabar Laharyia. The documentary features years of footage by the filmmakers following the journalists' daily work, offering detailed insights into their careers. The documentary is India’s first to be Oscar nominated.

👉 Watch Writing With Fire on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy Writing With Fire as DVD on Amazon

13th

13th takes a look at America’s history of racial inequality, taking a scrupulous look at the prison system disproportionately targeting African-Americans. Filmmaker Ava DuVernay traces back the mass incarceration in America to the 13th amendment, and how the government used its wording to propagate a modern form of slavery. The documentary features multiple interviews from experts analysing contradictory and deceptive wording that wield the power to disadvantage millions of African-Americans. 13th is a riveting watch that will keep your eyes plastered to the screen, forcing you to analyse this war of words with the interviewees.

13th on Wikipedia

Winter On Fire

Winter On Fire documents the mass protests that spanned for 93 days against Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukoych. Using spectacular footage, the documentary features moving stories from protesters who were interviewed after the revolt. With thousands of people from all walks of life freezing in the biting cold and being attacked with rubber bullets and batons, Winter On Fire makes for a heart wrenching watch. However, the resilience against government retaliation shows a great sense of unity, since Yanukoych resigned due to the protests. The beauty of Winter On Fire is that the camera speaks for itself with the incredible footage capturing the event. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary and the Primetime Emmy Award for Exceptional Merit in Filmmaking.

Winter On Fire on Wikipedia

The Crime Of The Century

One of America’s biggest social issues is the opioid crisis, an epidemic pushed by the very people who are meant to help the sick. The Crime Of The Century uses its two-part format to give an in-depth exploration of how Big Pharma condemned a nation to a plague of addiction. With insider information and interviews from medical professionals, EMTs, and victims of the crisis, the documentary delves with thorough detail into a crime of greed and deceitful advertising. The documentary will leave you flustered with rage at how billionaires ruined millions of lives - but it doesn’t stop there. The Crime Of The Century takes a look at the bigger picture, dissecting the medical industry in America that allowed such a crisis to occur.

👉 Watch The Crime Of The Century on Amazon Prime

👉 Buy The Crime Of The Century as DVD on Amazon