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The political landscape of the United States has inspired some of the bestdocumentariesof all time . As a existence leader who has had a major influence on the political sphere of the intact satellite , it ’s not surprising that U.S. political history has been a consistent subject for movie maker attempting to take out the global political landscape painting we all live in today . Whether throughthe administration of John F. Kennedy , U.S. participation in conflict in the Middle East , or even whistleblowing citizens who reveal hidden corruption , political documentaries have always informed and educated viewers .
A trulygreat documentaryhas the king to ordain real change , andthe well filmsexploring U.S. politics have shone a Christ Within on the aspects of social , economic , and political topics that deserve the audience ’s attention . Whilemany expectant documentaries were made by American citizen , there are also plenty of nifty films made by foreigner looking in at the U.S. political system . documentary often make complex issues perceivable to mainstream viewers , which in round helps create a more brisk and informed society .
10Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Directed by Michael Moore
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The documentarian Michael Moore has consecrate his living ’s work to unpacking the fraught complexness of the social , political , and economic landscape of modern America . With a lighthearted sense of humor that makes complicated issues intelligible to the intermediate viewer , Moore cat his sharp eye on the presidential term of George W. Bush , the Iraq War , and the media ’s coverage of the conflict inFahrenheit 9/11 . By showcasing how the medium cheered on Bush ’s decision to invade , this documentary highlighted the grandness of unspoilt news media standing up against political ego - interest .
Fahrenheit 9/11showcased how the medium did not provide enough objective analysis around the rationale for the Iraq War and the casualty it moderate to . With a championship touch to the dystopian world of Ray Bradbury ’s novelFahrenheit 451 , Moore touch to the way the populace ’s desolation over the 9/11 terrorist attacks meant the power that be were capable to engage in uncurbed acts of warfare . As the highest - grossing documentary ever made at the metre , Fahrenheit 9/11gained far-flung plaudit and won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival .
9Bitter Lake (2015)
Directed by Adam Curtis
Often , foreigner are far good at canvass major social and political events , with British documentarian Adam Curtis offering some of the most shrewd comment on American politics ever view inBitter Lake . This astounding BBC documentary highlighted how New medium was so overwhelmed by the complexities of militant Islam that it presented the account as a dewy-eyed trade good versus bad argument . This led to westerly society being ineffective to encompass wildness in the Middle East and the U.S. spiritualist being ineffective to cover the warfare in Afghanistan as anything but mindless violence .
Bitter Lakewas a idea - provoking documentary that peeled back the layers on American politicsand the complex decisions behind the scene that go into the U.S. ’s decision to engage in war . Through Curtis ’s signature voiceover soliloquy , archival footage , and an astonishing economic consumption of medicine , Bitter Lakewas not only an indispensable piece of political criticism but also a really beautiful example of filmmaking .
8The War Room (1993)
Directed by Chris Hegedus and D. A. Pennebaker
The circumstances behind Bill Clinton ’s 1992 presidential cause were powerfully research inThe War Room . This Oscar - nominated documentary peeled back the curtain of Clinton ’s presidential bidding by concentre on the succeeding United States President ’s lead strategian , James Carville , and his communications conductor , George Stephanopoulos . As a feeling into the way the media bod and perceives the public ’s perceptual experience of political outcome , The War Roomunpacked the means that these whirl doctor assist determine the election .
Looking back onThe War Roomtoday is a fascinating glimpse into just how much politics has changed in the X since Clinton ’s administration . In an era where so much campaigning now find in on-line sphere , it ’s interesting to see how much power traditional medium had back then . As a journey behind the curtain into the internal working of the political simple machine , The War Roomis essential viewing for anyone wishing to understand how presidential campaigns used to ferment .
7Inside Job (2010)
Directed by Charles Ferguson
Few things are more in and of itself linked in this world than politics and economics , a fact that was on well-defined exhibit in Charles Ferguson’sInside Job . This exploration of the 2008 financial clangoring showcased how systemic corruption in the United States contributed to the fiscal house of cards at long last burst and the worldwide economic recessional that followed it . With interviewers from financial figure from around the populace , Inside Jobshowcased how elect group managed to get deep while the relief of the country suffered vastly .
As disheartening but crucial viewing , Inside Jobexploredhow the American caparison industry prepare out on purpose to defraud the average American investor , and the political system of the United States allowed this to happen . With a narrative as gripping as any thriller , Ferguson condensed improbably complex issues in a way that any viewer could understand .
6Black Panthers (1968)
Directed by Agnès Varda
Black Panthers is a infotainment filmed in 1968 , enchant the Black Panther Party ’s efforts to support Huey Newton during his test . Set in Oakland , California , it explore the company ’s organized meetings aimed at transforming the trial into a platform for political discourse and put on national attention .
The brusque documentaryBlack Panthersonly clocks in at a restricted 28 minute long , yet it remains one of the most sinewy documents of this civic rights organization . With a focus on the protests over the arrest of Black Panther co - laminitis Huey P. Newton , this revolutionary and political militant was arrested for the murder of the constabulary officer John Frey in 1967 . As a glimpse into political grievances that have not been resolved more than five decades later , it ’s interesting to note thatBlack Panthersremains as relevant as ever .
With several interviewees and hefty footage of the objection to unblock Newton , Black Panthersshowcased how the oppression of Black citizen by police force step up to the point that activist took up coat of arms and fought back against law enforcement . As an important historical document , the most outstanding thing about watchingBlack Pantherstoday is noticing how many of these effect rest at the forefront of contemporary American government .
5Primary (1960)
Directed by Robert Drew
The documentaryPrimaryoffered a glimpse not just into the presidential campaign trails of 1960s America but was also a trailblazing piece of filmmaking that had an undeniable issue on documentary film - fashioning as a whole . Through the utilisation of peregrine camera and lighter wakeless equipment , Primarywas one of the first documentary film that allow the film producer to move through crowds and enamour the presidential nominee in the midst of urge crew , in the backs of cars , and vibrate through the polling station .
Add to this thatPrimarycataloged the 1960 Democratic Party primary election in Wisconsin between John F. Kennedy and Hubert Humphrey , and it becomes an substantive document of the bragging defining anatomy of modern America . The influence of Primary on the evolution of documentary filmmaking was even explored inCinéma Vérité : Defining the Moment , which looked at everything from fictional bump - footage film likeThe Blair Witch Projectto innovators like Robert Drew .
413th (2016)
Directed by Ava DuVernay
The abolishment of the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was a defining moment in American story that ended slavery and involuntary servitude . However , this came with one exception in the face of convict crook who have been forced into unvoluntary servitude in the form of penal labor . This exception served as the basis for Ava DuVernay ’s Netflix documentary13th , which explores how slaveholding has perpetuated throughout the United States through this practice .
As adocumentary that explores the post - Civil War economic landscapeand addresses the fashion the War on drug has adversely imprisoned marginalise communities,13thshowcased the prison - industrial complex with a level of scrutiny rarely seen in mainstream media . By pare back the mantle on just how much money is being made by corporation through penal labor,13thwas a powerful take - down of hidden system of oppression .
3Citizenfour (2014)
Directed by Laura Poitras
Citizenfour is a documentary take aim by Laura Poitras that captures the initial meetings between her and reporter Glenn Greenwald with former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in Hong Kong .
The former NSA intelligence activity contractile organ and whistleblower Edward Snowden was one of the most impactful citizen in mod U.S. story , whose leak out classified written document let out the being of global surveillance course of study . As a political scandal the likes of which the world has never see , Citizenfourunpacked the details of Snowden ’s expatriation from his home country through interviews with the man himself . Taking home the Best Documentary Oscar at the Academy Awards , Citizenfourpowerfully showcased how much civic liberty have eroded due to increase surveillance post-9/11 .
Citizenfourwas the final installment in director Laura Poitras ' 9/11 trilogy , which also includedMy Country , My CountryandThe Oath . As a filmmaker who ’s not afraid to interrogate power and showcase the corruption and lip service within the modern political system , Poitras ’s film allow Snowden to talk at once to American audiences and explicate his motivations in his own words .
2Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media (1992)
Directed by Mark Achbar and Peter Wintonick
The lucre - labor agendum of corporate media and the way this aligns with political interests was central to Noam Chomsky and Edward S. Herman ’s landmark bookManufacturing Consent , a seminal work of medium literary criticism that explored the direct propaganda model of communicating . The themes and ideas encounter in this book served as the basis for this persuasion - provoking documentary that also elaborate upon the life , work , and cultural relevancy of Chomsky .
Manufacturing Consentwas a premier example of what the best political documentaries should sic out to do , as it advance viewer to interview the news they eat up and dig profoundly into whose interests the dominant narratives dish out . By showcasing how no social , economical , or political issues can be viewed in a vacuum , documentaries likeManufacturing Consentact as a guidebook for citizens bet to consider independently and gain informed viewpoints that can withstand debate and questioning .
1The Fog Of War (2003)
Directed by Errol Morris
The Fog of War is a 2003 documentary that explores the life of Robert McNamara , using archival footage and consultation . It compensate his roles as a WWII military military officer , president of Ford Motor Company , and U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson .
Documentarian Errol Morris , the man behind the thrilling takedown of a corrupt justice system , The slender Blue Line , turned his care toward U.S. police forThe Fog of War . This sinful firearm of filmmaking explore the life and times of former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara and his observations on the nature of New warfare . SubtitledEleven Lessons from the Life of Robert S. McNamara , The Fog of Wardistilled McNamara ’s ism into eleven sectionsand showcased the thinking that inform the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson .
The Fog of Wargave insightful context to the circumstances behind the Cold War through the viewpoint of one of its major architects , and understanding McNamara acted as a microcosm for American politics as a whole during that geological era . With an original score by acclaimed composer Philip Glass , everything atThe Fog of Warcame together as a firm vitrine of docudrama as artistry . As the recipient of a litany of accolades , The Fog of Warwas even grant an Oscar for BestDocumentary .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
Black Panthers is a documentary filmed in 1968, capturing the Black Panther Party’s efforts to support Huey Newton during his trial. Set in Oakland, California, it explores the party’s organized meetings aimed at transforming the trial into a platform for political discourse and gaining national attention.
Citizenfour is a documentary directed by Laura Poitras that captures the initial meetings between her and reporter Glenn Greenwald with former NSA contractor Edward Snowden in Hong Kong.
The Fog of War is a 2003 documentary that explores the life of Robert McNamara, using archival footage and interviews. It covers his roles as a WWII military officer, president of Ford Motor Company, and U.S. Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War under Presidents Kennedy and Johnson.
