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Political documentaries that shaped our understanding of democracy
At their best, documentaries illuminate the world around us, often leading to significant societal changes. They can free unjustly imprisoned individuals, spark political movements, and even influence policy changes. With a heated presidential election around the corner, it’s an opportune moment to revisit some of the most impactful political documentaries from the past decades. These films, ranging from explorations of voter suppression to mock elections in Chinese schools, have left an indelible mark on the genre and our understanding of democracy.
The pioneers and game-changers
Primary (1960)
The groundbreaking film Primary forever changed the landscape of political documentaries with its cinema verité style. Even six decades later, it offers a fresh and intimate look at two very different Democratic candidates on the campaign trail. Producer Robert Drew, along with cameramen like D.A. Pennebaker and Albert Maysles, followed Hubert Humphrey and John F. Kennedy in Wisconsin. The film’s use of ambient sounds, close-ups, and spontaneous interviews over static shots of talking heads set a new standard for the genre. Despite initial resistance from major networks, Primary‘s distinctive style soon became a staple in documentary filmmaking.
Navalny (2022)
Navalny plays out like a thriller but with much higher stakes. The documentary centers on Russian dissident Alexei Navalny, who faces grave danger throughout the film. Directed by Daniel Roher, the film captures Navalny’s resilience and courage, making it a haunting piece of bravura filmmaking. The documentary won an Oscar and remains particularly poignant following Navalny’s death earlier this year while incarcerated.
Behind the scenes of political campaigns
The War Room (1993)
The War Room opens amid allegations of Bill Clinton’s infidelity in early 1992. Directed by Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker, the film focuses on colorful campaign strategist James Carville and a young George Stephanopoulos, then Clinton’s communications director. Their fly-on-the-wall interactions in the campaign’s war room bring the documentary to life, offering a fascinating glimpse into the inner workings of a political campaign.
Watch the trailer for The War Room
Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004)
Michael Moore’s Fahrenheit 9/11 took a critical look at George W. Bush’s response to the September 11 attacks. The documentary, which won the coveted Palme d’Or at Cannes, delves into the connections between Bush’s family and the Saudis. The film’s most powerful moments come from the heartbreaking footage of families affected by the U.S. war against Iraq. Fahrenheit 9/11 demonstrated that documentaries could be both financially successful and politically impactful.
Watch the trailer for Fahrenheit 9/11
The fight for democracy
All In: The Fight for Democracy (2020)
Stacey Abrams stars in All In: The Fight for Democracy, a documentary directed by Liz Garbus and Lisa Cortés. The film opens with Abrams refusing to concede her first gubernatorial race due to alleged voter-suppression tactics. It then outlines the history of repressive measures against Black voters in the South. The documentary underscores that the battle to protect voter rights is far from over, highlighting the determination and grit needed to continue the fight.
Watch the trailer for All In: The Fight for Democracy
The Fog of War (2003)
Errol Morris’s The Fog of War features Robert McNamara, the former Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War. The documentary, subtitled “Eleven Lessons From the Life of Robert S. McNamara,” offers a complex portrait of a man who loomed large over the nation’s consciousness. Released shortly after the controversial 2003 invasion of Iraq, the film went on to win an Oscar.
Watch the trailer for The Fog of War
Unique perspectives on democracy
Please Vote for Me (2007)
Please Vote for Me is both charming and unsettling, chronicling an election for third-grade monitor in Wuhan, China. Directed by Weijun Chen, the documentary shows how quickly the 8-year-olds adapt to democratic processes, aided by their parents. The film provides glimpses of contemporary life in China while suggesting that some campaign impulses are innate, even in a communist society.
Watch the trailer for Please Vote for Me
Hearts and Minds (1974)
Hearts and Minds is a pointed critique of America’s role in the Vietnam War. Directed by Peter Davis, the film includes soundbites from presidents, Pentagon Papers leaker Daniel Ellsberg, and controversial General William Westmoreland. The documentary humanizes the consequences of the conflict, featuring vignettes of soldiers and Vietnamese people coping with loss. It won an Oscar weeks before the U.S. evacuated its embassy in Saigon.
Watch the trailer for Hearts and Minds
The Sorrow and the Pity (1969)
Marcel Ophuls’s The Sorrow and the Pity exposed uncomfortable truths about the Nazi occupation of France. The film mixes archival footage with contemporary interviews to paint a complex portrait of a military occupation where some citizens collaborated with Nazis while others resisted. It was nominated for an Oscar and further immortalized in Annie Hall.
Watch the trailer for The Sorrow and the Pity
Black Panthers (1968)
Agnès Varda’s Black Panthers remains a potent time capsule about politics and race relations during a fraught period in America. The documentary captures protests for the release of Huey Newton and discussions about Black beauty and political views. It is poignant viewing during another period of political unrest.
Watch the trailer for Black Panthers
These documentaries not only provide a window into the political landscapes of their times but also offer timeless lessons on the complexities of democracy. Whether you’re a cinema enthusiast, a TV series aficionado, or a music lover, these films are essential viewing for anyone interested in the intricate dance of politics and society.
