Netflix has been on a roll for a while now, releasing some of the best documentaries that explore people, places, and things that other production companies were not. It is refreshing to see true events being portrayed on TV, with some so relatable to people who never got much attention before. You can get some education while you get entertained these days, as you will see with the docus we explore below.
Here are four of the best documentaries for students on Netflix.
13th
Ava DuVernay revisits, in this 2016 film, a time that most Americans want to forget or ignore. She walks back into the past where the system started controlling a community and making it look like the people of color were the problem in an otherwise safe environment. If you read several online copies of the “13th” documentary essay, you will see how she revisits slavery and how the system criminalized minor offenses such as failing to pay fines. Formerly enslaved people were imprisoned for the smallest injustices, and their names entered into a system that discriminates against anyone that has ever been behind bars for crimes they did or did not commit. If you are writing samples on slavery, this documentary will be resourceful.
You will learn of things your history class may have omitted either intentionally or by mistake, and you could start understanding why the Black movement happened when it did. This film could also open your eyes to systemic racism and injustices. If you are keen enough, you will start wondering if everyone who has been to jail was treated fairly or was simply victims of a discriminatory legal and social system.
Race to Nowhere
Maimone Attia wrote a film that most college and high school students highly relate to as it shows the state of things in the world. Vicki Abeles directed one of the top documentaries to watch based on her daughter becoming physically sick due to the workload she was dealing with at school. It also came on the heels of a case of a girl that had committed suicide after being unable to cope with an imminent failure in academics.
The American university selection process is competitive, so only the best performers go to Ivy League schools. Students have to work extremely hard on all fronts to secure their places at these schools, which puts them under so much pressure. If you didn’t think kids could burn out from all the stress at school, this documentary will open your eyes to the competitive nature of the world.
Abstract: The Art of Design
One of the best documentaries on Netflix takes us into the worlds of some of the most creative people, showing us how shoe designers, architects, and other professionals who have built some of the world’s biggest brands think. Each episode takes on a giant, from Nike to Costume designs and other areas that will leave you informed and educated. If you are pursuing your education in any of these fields, you will benefit from the enriching thoughts of those who have done this before.
This documentary covers several areas of life as each episode is different. You may want to go on and read some more about the people you will meet on these episodes, as they are a little shallow to accommodate as much as possible.
The Edge of Democracy
Petra Costa is Brazilian, and she tells her story in ways that show the effects of dictatorship in a country known for its sandy beaches and football. It was once termed ‘one of the scariest films’ because it explores corruption, fascism, and the rise and fall of a nation. Costa navigates the waters that expose her rich and well-connected family and how it benefitted from the country’s corruption. Even though Brazil is yet to attain true democracy, like many growing economies, films like hers exposed those in power and helped demand accountability. It was nominated for awards and even won Peabody and Platino awards in 2020.
What do we learn from this film? Though it is about Brazil, many people in the developing and developed world will relate to most of the expose. One may also be pushed to demand better from their leaders.
Conclusion
If you are writing a history essay, you may want to check whether Netflix has a documentary on it as some unpack things you haven’t read in books. These films we have discussed here are only a few of those available today, but Netflix has an even larger portfolio that will be suggested to you when the algorithm notes your preference. While documentaries only tell a fraction of a story as they are compressed to fit the space provided, they start thoughts and conversations that we want to start having for a better future.