If you were moved by the documentary 'How (not) to Build a School in Haiti (2022)' and its exploration of humanitarian efforts, resilience, and cultural challenges, you'll love these 10 similar films and shows. This article highlights compelling stories that tackle themes of development, community struggles, and the complexities of aid work, offering viewers a deeper understanding of global issues through powerful storytelling.
The Cove (2009)
Description: An investigative documentary that exposes controversial practices through covert operations, highlighting environmental and ethical concerns about marine life treatment.
Fact: The filmmakers used hidden cameras disguised as rocks to capture footage of dolphin hunting practices in Taiji, Japan.
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The Invisible War (2012)
Description: This investigative documentary exposes systemic sexual assault within powerful institutions, giving voice to survivors and demanding accountability.
Fact: The film's release prompted the Pentagon to change its policies on sexual assault investigations within the military.
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How to Survive a Plague (2012)
Description: A moving chronicle of grassroots activism during the AIDS crisis, showing how marginalized communities organized to demand medical research and government action.
Fact: The film uses never-before-seen archival footage from the 1980s and 90s AIDS activist movement, much of it shot by the activists themselves.
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The Act of Killing (2012)
Description: This documentary explores the psychological impact of violence and the blurred lines between perpetrator and victim, using unconventional storytelling techniques to delve into dark historical events.
Fact: The film features former Indonesian death squad leaders reenacting their real-life mass killings in various cinematic genres, including gangster and western styles.
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Blackfish (2013)
Description: This documentary examines the consequences of keeping intelligent marine mammals in captivity, sparking widespread debate about animal rights and entertainment ethics.
Fact: The film's release led to significant public backlash against SeaWorld, causing a 50% drop in their stock price and eventual changes to their orca shows.
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The True Cost (2015)
Description: This documentary investigates the human and environmental impact of fast fashion, revealing the hidden consequences of consumer culture.
Fact: The film features footage from garment factories in developing countries that had never been shown to Western audiences before.
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The Look of Silence (2014)
Description: A powerful companion piece that examines the aftermath of genocide through the eyes of a survivor confronting perpetrators, focusing on themes of memory, justice, and reconciliation.
Fact: The film's protagonist is an optometrist who uses his profession as a way to interview his brother's killers while giving them eye exams.
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Citizenfour (2014)
Description: A real-time documentary about government surveillance and whistleblowing, offering an intimate portrait of courage in the face of institutional power.
Fact: The film was shot in secret over eight days in a Hong Kong hotel room where Edward Snowden first revealed NSA surveillance secrets to journalists.
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Cartel Land (2015)
Description: This documentary provides a raw, on-the-ground look at vigilante groups fighting drug cartels, exploring the moral complexities of taking justice into one's own hands.
Fact: The filmmakers embedded themselves with both Mexican vigilantes and Arizona border patrol groups, capturing unprecedented access to both sides of the drug war.
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The Hunting Ground (2015)
Description: A searing examination of institutional failure to address campus sexual assault, following survivors as they organize for change and justice.
Fact: Lady Gaga wrote the Oscar-nominated song 'Til It Happens to You' specifically for this documentary after being moved by its subject matter.
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