Must-Watch Films Similar to Ghosts of Abu Ghraib

Description: A reflective examination of war, decision-making, and moral responsibility, this film features a former U.S. Secretary of Defense grappling with the consequences of his actions during the Vietnam War.

Fact: The documentary won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, praised for its candid and introspective approach.

Description: An exploration of the modern corporation's power and influence, this documentary critiques the ethical and legal frameworks that allow organizations to prioritize profit over human welfare.

Fact: The film uses diagnostic criteria from the DSM-IV to argue that corporations exhibit psychopathic tendencies.

Description: A harrowing investigation into systemic abuse and the mechanisms that allow it to persist, this film scrutinizes the infamous photographs from a military prison, revealing the institutional failures behind the atrocities.

Fact: The documentary includes interviews with both the perpetrators and investigators involved in the scandal, providing a multifaceted perspective.

Description: A critical analysis of the Iraq War, this documentary highlights the catastrophic consequences of poor planning and decision-making by those in power, emphasizing the human toll of war.

Fact: The film features interviews with high-ranking officials who later expressed regret over their roles in the conflict.

Description: This film dissects corporate corruption and the human cost of greed, illustrating how systemic failures and unethical behavior can lead to widespread harm, much like institutional abuses in other contexts.

Fact: The documentary is based on the best-selling book of the same name, which detailed the rise and fall of the Enron Corporation.

Description: Focusing on sexual assault within the U.S. military, this documentary exposes systemic failures and the culture of impunity that enables such abuses, paralleling themes of institutional accountability.

Fact: The film prompted significant policy changes in how the U.S. military handles sexual assault cases.

Description: This documentary explores the psychological and moral consequences of violence, focusing on perpetrators who reenact their crimes. It shares a deep examination of human rights abuses and the disturbing normalization of brutality.

Fact: The film features former Indonesian death squad leaders recreating their mass killings in various cinematic genres, blurring the line between reality and fiction.

Description: This investigative documentary uncovers covert U.S. military operations and their far-reaching consequences, shedding light on the moral and legal ambiguities of modern warfare.

Fact: The film's journalist subject, Jeremy Scahill, risked his life to report from some of the most dangerous regions in the world.

Description: A companion piece to 'The Act of Killing,' this film shifts focus to the victims' families, offering a poignant look at the lasting trauma of state-sponsored violence and the struggle for reconciliation.

Fact: The director faced significant risks while filming, as the subject matter remains highly sensitive in Indonesia.

Description: This documentary delves into government surveillance and whistleblowing, exposing the ethical dilemmas and personal risks involved in revealing state secrets. It mirrors themes of accountability and institutional power.

Fact: The film was shot in real-time as Edward Snowden leaked classified NSA documents, providing an unprecedented look at the events as they unfolded.