We asked our team the near impossible task of whittling their list of all-time favourite documentaries down to just one unmissable choice that has in some way inspired their work.
This eclectic mix of documentaries all share an unparalleled ability to lead the audience through thought-provoking journeys of human endeavour and treachery, showing how we interact with the unexplored world and breaking documentary filmmaking traditions to reveal poignant stories that stay with you long after the film has finished.
In no particular order, here are 7 awe-inspiring documentaries hand-picked by our team.
1. Darwin’s nightmare
This extraordinary film captures the destructive nature of globalisation on local fishing industries in Tanzania. Darwin’s Nightmare exposes the terrifying almost apocalyptic catastrophe happening in Lake Victoria, where the local community is on the brink of starvation whilst multinational fishing factories export the communities’ produce abroad.
James Rogan – Company Director
‘This film was particularly influential on the approach I took in The Trouble with Pirates. Hubert Sauper avoids using a voice-over or talking heads and instead allows the tragic story of the Lake Victoria community to unfold through one-on-one conversation and startling, grotesque imagery.’
2. Aileen: Life and Death of a serial killer
Nick Broomfield’s film examines the life and execution of Aileen Wournos, America’s first female serial killer. This film captures Aileen’s mental deterioration whilst she is on death row, the horrific details of her troubled childhood in Michigan and her subsequent job as a hitch-hiking prostitute, culminating in her brutal murder of 7 male victims.
As picked by Soleta Rogan – Head of Business Development
‘To evoke sympathy, desperation and acute sadness for a woman who had committed such dreadful crimes made this a real achievement for me.’
3. The Great White Silence
Filmed over 100 years ago, Herbert Ponting’s silent film follows Captain Scott’s doomed expedition to the South Pole in 1910. Restored by the BFI, this film documents one of the greatest polar explorations that has been committed to film, capturing the savage beauty and unforgiving nature of an unexplored world that would have been completely inaccessible to the audience at the time.
As picked by Oliver Cheetham – Director
’I like films to take me to another world – and not only does this one transport the viewer to a truly alien environment on earth, but it illuminates a bygone era, and portrays one of the great stories of human endeavour.’
4. Rafea: Solar Mama
Rafea: Solar Mamatells the powerful story of a Bedouin woman who leaves Jordan to train as a Solar Engineer, and then later returns to supply electricity to her village. This liberating personal story shows a triumph against patriarchal norms in Bedouin culture and is captured beautifully by Directors Jahane Noujaim and Mona Eldaief, who really master the true art of storytelling
As picked by Katie Hindley – Assistant Producer
‘This is a fantastic story, with lots of beautiful and sometimes heart breaking scenes. I went to a screening of Rafea: Solar Mama which had a Q&A with the two female directors, who were brilliant. I left feeling very incredibly inspired!‘
5. SENNA
This film explores the life and untimely death of Ayrton Senna, a world-famous Grand Prix driver who died at the age of just 34, after a fatal crash in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. The brilliantly edited film features previously unseen footage of Senna that spans his lifetime. It captures Senna’s determination in his quest for perfection and the subsequent tragic and deeply moving end to his life.
As picked by Angie Mason – One of our Directors
‘I loved the way that Senna threw away some of the traditions of documentary by interviewing people to camera and then just using their voice over relevant archive and footage.
6. The Road: A Story Of Life And Death
In this film, Marc Isaacs shows the struggles of a diverse group of characters from across the world who have made their way to London to make themselves a better lifeThis socially conscious film is humorous at times and also deeply moving, the conversational tone of the subjects depicted gives the audience a remarkably honest insight into their lives.
As picked by Andy King – Production Coordinator
‘Certainly one of my favourite documentaries of recent years, this film non-judgmentally illuminates the lives of various people living along the A5 coming into London. It is painfully poignant, constantly surprising and beautifully observed.’
7. The Detectives – ManHunt
This brilliantly filmed three-part tv documentary series is a gripping exploration of a new breed of detective specially trained to investigate sex offences. The series sheds light on the day-to-day operation of the Serious Sexual Offences based in Greater Manchester and the worrying reality of the crimes that shocked the nation in the wake of the Jimmy Saville scandal.
As picked by Vivienne Steele – Head of Production
‘The Detectives was compelling, powerful viewing. The series demonstrated brilliant access with a reveal at the end of programme that literally made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end and brought tears to my eyes.’
