Documentaries that change how we see the world
- Text by Alex King
Documentaries can shine a light into places we can’t see, show life through someone else’s eyes, reveal the human stories behind the events that shape our world and give us an insight into the personalities of the compelling figures of our time, from skateboarders to rappers, politicians to freedom fighters.
The digital age has democratised documentary filmmaking and empowered a new generation to tell stories from all corners of the earth, but whatever the subject or whoever the filmmaker, the best documentaries have the power to change how we see the world.
To celebrate the Dogwoof Weekender, a series of documentaries at London’s ICA September 26-28, we want to hear about the documentaries that changed how you view the world.
All you have to do is tweet: “@HuckMagazine <name of film> changed my life.” before Thursday September 25.
One winner will receive a weekend pass to watch all seven films showing at the Dogwoof Weekender and we will include the most interesting entries (with personal statements from you) in a ‘Huck’s lifechanging documentaries’ post on Friday September 26.
The Dogwoof Weekender at the ICA – September 26-28
Dogwoof, the UK’s leading documentary distributor, take over the ICA for a programme of seven films over three days that give us a sense of where documentary filmmaking is right now.
The broad selection takes in issues as diverse as LGBT rights, colonialism and show business, to art, religion, economic crisis and homelessness.
Huck’s top picks include Concerning Violence (trailer above) directed by Goran Olson, featuring narration by Ms. Lauryn Hill and Manakamana from Stephanie Spray and Pacho Velez, that documents the journey of pilgrims in the Nepalese jungle.
Find out more about the Dogwoof Weekender.
You might like
Confronting America’s history of violence against student protest
Through A Mirror, Darkly — In May 1970, two separate massacres at American college campuses saw deaths at the hands of the state. Naeem Mohaiemen’s new three-channel film memorialises the brutality.
Written by: Miss Rosen
New film champions women surfers tackling the huge waves of Nazaré
Undercurrents — Filmmaker Maddie Meddings’ latest documentary focuses on big-wave superstar Laura Crane as she helps prepare 16-year-old Imari Hearn to take up big wave surfing.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
New documentary spotlights Brixton’s community in the face of gentrification
Beyond Brix & Mortar — With property prices rising by 1,700% since the ’80s, the film explores the rich cultural history of the area’s Afro-Caribbean community, and the threat to the area’s soul.
Written by: Sydney Lobe
On the set of ‘La Bamba’, lost Latino legend Ritchie Valens’s biopic
The overnight rockstar — The Chicano rock & roll star exploded overnight in the late ’50s, but just as quickly he was gone, killed in a plane crash along with Buddy Holly. An ’80s biopic saw him immortalised on the big screen, which photographer Merrick Morton captured behind the scenes.
Written by: Miss Rosen
Louis Theroux’s ‘Manosphere’ shows men aren’t the problem, platforms are
No Ws for Good Men — The journalist’s new documentary sees him dive headfirst into the toxicities and machinations of the male influencer economy. But when young creators are monetarily incentivised to make more and more outrageous content, who really is to blame?
Written by: Emma Garland
The wild, gruelling beauty of fell running
Winner Gets Cake — With no marked route and often brutal conditions, the “quintessentially British sport” is the subject of a new joint film by TCO and Rab. Hannah Bentley explores its vertical climbs, downhill dashes and punk roots.
Written by: Hannah Bentley
