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Subgenre Sampler

 
James & IseyJames & Isey (James and Isey) (2021) Recommended
Dir. Florian Habicht
Kiwi director Florian Habicht's deeply moving tribute to Northland life and aroha in the form of a documentary portrait of Isey and her son James,…
Girl on the Bridge, TheGirl on the Bridge, The (2020) Recommended
Dir. Leanne Pooley
A brave and heart–wrenching documentary breaking the silence around New Zealand's mental health crisis, from the perspective of suicide…
63 Up63 Up (2019)
Dir. Michael Apted
Continuation of the ground–breaking documentary series following the lives of 14 British people since 1964, providing yet another plethora of…
CeliaCelia (2018) Recommended
Dir. Amanda Millar
Inspiring documentary written, directed and produced by former TV current affairs journalist Amanda Millar, which follows the career of Celia…
Generation WealthGeneration Wealth (2018)
Dir. Lauren Greenfield
Director Lauren Greenfield (THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, THIN) uses 25 years of experience documenting cultural movements to address the uniting theme…
In Search of GreatnessIn Search of Greatness (2018)
Dir. Gabe Polsky
A perceptive documentary exploring greatness in sport, and what it takes to excel – nature versus nurture being an enduring theme. Includes…
In the ZoneIn the Zone (2018)
Dir. Robyn Paterson
Documentary about American Terrance Wallace who pioneered a scheme to strategically re–zone the families of disadvantaged Maori and Pasifika…
Three Identical StrangersThree Identical Strangers (2018) Aro Favourite
Dir. Tim Wardle
Fascinating and moving documentary telling the incredible story of triplets who never knew they existed until they were 19, but after a joyous…
Won't You Be My Neighbor?Won't You Be My Neighbor? (2018) Recommended
Dir. Morgan Neville
The director of 20 FEET FROM STARDOM explores the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children's television host, Fred Rogers, whose show "Mister…
Human FlowHuman Flow (2017) Recommended
Dir. Ai Weiwei
Cherished iconoclastic artist Ai Weiwei directs this unflinching documentary exploring the global refugee crisis. With brilliant cinematography by…
I Used to Be Normal - A Boyband Fangirl StoryI Used to Be Normal - A Boyband Fangirl Story (2017) Recommended
Dir. Jessica Leski
A passionate and proud interrogation of music fan culture following the lives of four diverse women aged 16–64 who are self–confessed…
King, TheKing, The (2017) Aro Favourite
Dir. Eugene Jarecki
Filmmaker Eugene Jarecki travels in a 1963 Rolls Royce Silver Cloud once owned by Elvis Presley and along his state–wide journey amasses a…
QuestQuest (2017) Aro Favourite
A piercing insight into working class black America during the Obama years, this is an inspiring, tragic and universally relatable documentary that…
Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History (TV Series)Soundtracks: Songs That Defined History (TV Series) (2017) Recommended
An eight–part CNN series that incisively explores the music tied to iconic moments in history. Includes interviews with Pat Benatar, Melissa…
Story of Us with Morgan Freeman, The (TV Series)Story of Us with Morgan Freeman, The (TV Series) (2017)
Feat. Morgan Freeman
6–episode National Geographic TV Series presented by Morgan Freeman, which explores themes central to humanity such as love, belief and power,…
UnrestUnrest (2017) Recommended
Dir. Jennifer Brea
A groundbreaking documentary about the mysterious condition known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Made a by Jennifer Brea, a woman who suffers from the…
Between Land and SeaBetween Land and Sea (2016)
Dir. Ross Whitaker
Feat. Fergal Smith, John McCarthey, Pat Conway
Unique surfing documentary following a community of surfers over the course of 12 months as they convene in the Irish town of Lahinch, known for it's…
Citizen Jane: Battle for the CityCitizen Jane: Battle for the City (2016)
Dir. Matt Tyrnauer
Documentary about urban theorist and activist Jane Jacobs, who campaigned in the 1960's against the building of mass high–rise accommodation…
EmbraceEmbrace (2016) Aro Favourite
Dir. Taryn Brumfritt
Empowering documentary follows Body Image Activist Taryn Brumfit on an extensive crusade to illuminate the global issue of women's body image and its…
Gender Revolution: A Journey with Katie CouricGender Revolution: A Journey with Katie Couric (2016)
Journalist Katie Couric sets out across America to explore what it means to be a boy or a girl in the modern day, examining the role of science,…
heART of the matter, TheheART of the matter, The (2016) Recommended
Dir. Luit Bieringa
A valuable historical documentary tracing the remarkable shifts in educational philosophy in New Zealand during the post WWII years, in which…
Lo And Behold: Reveries of the Connected WorldLo And Behold: Reveries of the Connected World (2016)
Dir. Werner Herzog
Acclaimed Documentarian Werner Herzog approaches the internet as a curious outsider on an exotic vacation. Meeting the digital natives, getting…
OJ: Made in America (TV Series)OJ: Made in America (TV Series) (2016) Aro Favourite
Dir. Ezra Edelman
A hugely acclaimed, definitive exploration of the O.J. Simpson “Trial of the Century” from the producers of ESPN Films prodigious doco series "30…
Why Am I?: The Science of UsWhy Am I?: The Science of Us (2016) Aro Favourite
An internationally lauded four part series that details the findings of a 40–year study by the Otago School of Medicine that follows every baby…
Culture High, TheCulture High, The (2015)
Dir. Brett Harvey
Documentary that explores the deep–seated roots of the morally induced Marijuana campaign and reveals the fascinating path it has taken to get…
Free to RunFree to Run (2015) Recommended
Dir. Pierre Morath
The social history of running is chronicled with extraordinary passion and depth in this examination of the trajectory of running from an elitist,…
Hunting Ground, TheHunting Ground, The (2015) Recommended
Dir. Kirby Dick
A scorching exposé of the startling prevalence of sexual assaults and institutional cover–ups at college campuses across America. Through raw…
Landfill HarmonicLandfill Harmonic (2015)
Dir. Brad Allgood, Graham Townsley
Documentary portrait of Paraguayan music teacher Fabio Chavez and his Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, a children's orchestra which performs with…
Mask You Live In, TheMask You Live In, The (2015)
Dir. Jennifer Siebel Newsom
Seeking to inspire a society to raise a healthier generation of boys and young men, this cogent documentary identifies the pervasive cultural and…
Story of China with Michael Wood, The (TV Series)Story of China with Michael Wood, The (TV Series) (2015) Recommended
Feat. Michael Wood
Veteran historian and broadcaster Michael Wood follows his celebrated Story of India with this in–depth portrait of the most populous country…
Welcome to LeithWelcome to Leith (2015) Recommended
Dir. Michael Beach Nichols, Christopher K. Walker
A living nightmare unfolds for the townsfolk of the North Dakota town of Leith (pop. 24) when a notorious white supremacist moves in with a nefarious…
Where to Invade NextWhere to Invade Next (2015) Recommended
Dir. Michael Moore
A good–natured comic polemic from film–maker Michael Moore, who this time "invades" a host of European nations in pursuit of progressive,…
Wolfpack, TheWolfpack, The (2015) Aro Favourite
Dir. Crystal Moselle
A poignant, stranger–than–fiction documentary about the six Angulo brothers, raised entirely within the confines of their Lower East Side…
From Scotland With LoveFrom Scotland With Love (2014)
Scottish history as told through a vast collection of real home movie and archival footage, this is a charming filmic tapestry of everyday family…
Generation LikeGeneration Like (2014)
Top quality and highly topical PBS documentary which posits the question "Are kids using social media or is social media using kids?" to explore the…
Irish Pub, TheIrish Pub, The (2014)
Dir. Alex Fegan
A warm celebration of Irish pub culture, featuring delightful character vignettes and insightful explorations of the family tradition of pub…
Italian Americans, The (Mini-Series)Italian Americans, The (Mini-Series) (2014)
Documentary series that deftly explores the real history and impact of Italian Americans on America through archival clips and interviews from 1890…
Nigel Latta (TV Series)Nigel Latta (TV Series) (2014)
Clinical psychologist Nigel Latta goes in–depth on some of the most urgent problems facing New Zealand society today in this confronting…
Overnighters, TheOvernighters, The (2014) Recommended
Dir. Jesse Moss
The burden of compassion is at the heart of this story of Jay Reinke, a church Pastor who runs the "overnighters" program in the oil pipeline…
That Sugar FilmThat Sugar Film (2014)
Dir. Damon Gameau
Damon Gameau embarks on a unique experiment to document the effects of a high sugar diet on a healthy body, consuming only foods that are commonly…
Grayson Perry: All in the Best Possible Taste (TV Series)Grayson Perry: All in the Best Possible Taste (TV Series) (2013) Aro Favourite
Turner–Prize winning artist and renowned transvestite Grayson Perry visits the taste tribes of Britain, dissecting the class system into three…
Stuart Hall Project, TheStuart Hall Project, The (2013)
Dir. John Akomfrah
Personalised portrait of cultural theorist Stuart Hall, who is regarded as one of the founding figures of the New Left and a key architect of…
Source Family, TheSource Family, The (2012) Aro Favourite
Dir. Jodi Wille, Maria Demopoulos
Utterly fascinating story of The Source Family, a 150–strong spiritual commune in the Hollywood Hills during the hippy era, presided over with…
Stories We TellStories We Tell (2012) Recommended
Dir. Sarah Polley
Indie actress turned director Sarah Polley investigates a long–held family secret in this absorbing personal documentary.
BullyBully (2011) Recommended
Dir. Lee Hirsch
A shattering documentary on the difficult social problem of bullying, which gives a voice to the victims who suffer repeated physical and verbal…
Fry's Planet WordFry's Planet Word (2011) Recommended
Dir. John Paul Davidson
Feat. Stephen Fry
This five–part BBC series joins Stephen Fry as he travel's the continents exploring the nuanced diverse world of human language.
Inside Child PovertyInside Child Poverty (2011)
Dir. Bryan Bruce
Wellington documentary maker Bryan Bruce investigates the appalling level of child poverty in New Zealand, and travels to Sweden to found out why…
Interrupters, TheInterrupters, The (2011) Recommended
Dir. Steve James
Another grim, yet by turns inspiring social documentary from dir. Steve James (HOOP DREAMS), who expands his chronicle of urban…
Louis Theroux - The Odd, the Bad, and the GodlyLouis Theroux - The Odd, the Bad, and the Godly (2011)
A second anthology of intrepid reporter Louis Theroux's eye–opening BBC Two specials. Disc One: America's Medicated Kids, Law and Disorder…
My AmericaMy America (2011)
Dir. Peter Hegedus
Documentarian Peter Hegedus draws on his unusual upbringing – as a child of socialist Hungary who used movies to form his image of the United…
SamsaraSamsara (2011) Recommended
Dir. Ron Fricke
The director of BARAKA expands our minds with another impressive, visually astonishing meditation on global spirituality and the human experience,…
Young Ones, TheYoung Ones, The (2011)
The latest in a series of age and era–based social experiments, this BBC documentary asks six elderly celebrities – among them, cricket…
BabiesBabies (2010) Recommended
Dir. Thomas Balmes
The first year ahead of four newly born infants from different parts of the world (Namibia, Mongolia, Japan and California) forms the irresistible…
CatfishCatfish (2010) Recommended
Dir. Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman
Astonishing documentary follows the interactions between a New York–based photographer and a young woman from rural Michigan who make contact…
Digital NationDigital Nation (digital_nation) (2010)
Dir. Rachel Dretzin
From the maker of GROWING UP ONLINE, this is another quality PBS documentary about the complexities of modern culture. The focus is how the web and…
Faces of AmericaFaces of America (2010)
Henry Louis Gates, Jr. traces the cultural and ethnic roots behind America today in this salient social documentary. Participants keen to share their…
FreakonomicsFreakonomics (2010) Recommended
Dir. Alex Gibney, Eugene Jarecki, Heidi Ewing
The authors of 'Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist' pass on the baton to six documentarians in this diverse exploration of social phenomena through (and…
Michael Wood's Story of EnglandMichael Wood's Story of England (2010)
Feat. Michael Wood
Michael Wood (STORY OF INDIA) embarks on an archeological profile of the village of Kibworth in Leicestershire in this fascinating,…
My PerestroikaMy Perestroika (2010)
Dir. Robin Hessman
A playful and positive sense of nostalgia permeates through this enthralling documentary on the lives of five Moscow youngsters who grew through the…
Position Among The StarsPosition Among The Stars (Stand van de Sterren) (2010) Recommended
Dir. Leonard Retel Helmrich
Although the third part in a longing running trilogy, this engrossing documentary stands on its own as an eye–opening chapter in the life of…
SweetgrassSweetgrass (2010) Recommended
Dir. Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Ilisa Barbash
An unsentimental elegy to the American West, this follows the last modern–day cowboys to lead their flocks of sheep up into Montana's…
This Emotional Life (TV Mini-Series)This Emotional Life (TV Mini-Series) (2010-2011)
Self–improvement documentary series focussed on emotional intelligence, which each of three episodes weaving together personal stories with…
Video Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & VideotapeVideo Nasties: Moral Panic, Censorship & Videotape (2010)
Dir. Jake West
Fascinating documentary about the moral hysteria in 80's UK that led to the mass ban of 72 video tapes deemed too obscene by political and religious…
A Good ManA Good Man (2009)
Dir. Safina Uberoi
A strange and surprisingly beautiful documentary about an Australian sheep farmer who decides to cover his quadriplegic wife's medical expenses by…
Good HairGood Hair (2009) Recommended
Dir. Jeff Stilson
Feat. Chris Rock
Comedian Chris Rock explores cultural identity by way of black America's obsession with hair in this warm and witty social documentary. More…
His & HersHis & Hers (His and Hers) (2009) Recommended
Dir. Ken Wardrop
A collection of straight–talking vignettes informs this sweet, affecting, often witty documentary in which Irish women of all ages talk about…
Hoarders (TV Series)Hoarders (TV Series) (2009)
Exploitative series tackles the obsessive compulsive disorders of various sad cases unable to part with their belongings. Taking its cues from…
Last Train HomeLast Train Home (2009) Aro Favourite
Dir. Lixin Fan
A startling and vivid humanist documentary on China's ceaseless industrial growth, centred on one couple who make the annual migration from city to…
Louis Theroux - The Strange and the DangerousLouis Theroux - The Strange and the Dangerous (2009)
More madness from Television's favourite faux–naif Louis Theroux, this time with our unfailing polite host coming face to face with some truly…
Love At The Twilight MotelLove At The Twilight Motel (2009)
Dir. Alison Rose
Curious peek behind the doors of Miami's seedy Twilight Motel, a rent–by–the–hour establishment frequented by all manner of…
Love, Lust & LiesLove, Lust & Lies (2009) Recommended
Dir. Gillian Armstrong
The fifth film in the documentary series about the lives, hopes and dreams of three lively, working class Adelaide girls (now aged 47) since they…
Mexican Border Wars (TV Series)Mexican Border Wars (TV Series) (2009)
National Geographic series about American customs agents, whose job it is to curb illegal immigration and narcotics trafficking for a country…
Sisters from SiberiaSisters from Siberia (2009)
Dir. Russell Campbell
Wellington City Councillor Stephanie Cook is the subject of this insightful documentary on her successful adoption of sisters Katya and Nadia, who…
South (TV Series) South (TV Series) (2009)
Feat. Marcus Lush
Another "love story" from intrepid broadcaster Marcus Lush, who this time explores the South Island of New Zealand, an area he fell in love with…
This Way of LifeThis Way of Life (2009) Recommended
Dir. Tom and Barbara Burstyn
Evocative, moving Kiwi doco which treats the viewer to an intimate glimpse of a family who reject modernity and live wild with six kids and fifty…
Trouble is My BusinessTrouble is My Business (2009) Recommended
Dir. Juliette Veber
Keenly observational documentary about an empathetic assistant principal (Gary Peach) who battles to keep his students in school and out of trouble…
American Future - A History by Simon SchamaAmerican Future - A History by Simon Schama (2008)
Resonant look at the superpower filmed during the run up to the 2009 inauguration of Barack Obama with popular historian Simon Schama turning his…
American TeenAmerican Teen (2008) Recommended
Dir. Nanette Burstein
Feat. Hannah Bailey, Colin Clemens, Geoff Haase
An intimate and often hilarious doco that was a surprise Sundance Festival hit that follows four high school seniors – 'the jock', 'the arsty…
Best UndressedBest Undressed (The Pageant) (2008)
Dir. Martin Taylor
A documentary about Australia’s longest running beauty pageant, the Miss Nude Australia Pageant, told from the perspective of contestants and…
Cracking The Colour Code (TV Series) Cracking The Colour Code (TV Series) (2008)
Dir. Hugh Piper
Stimulating series journeying across six continents to investigate how humans from different cultures and backgrounds view, make and take meaning…
GangesGanges (2008)
A magnificent series exploring the life of the Ganges river, which runs through the heart of India and has extraordinary impact on the landscape and…
Global Metal Global Metal (2008)
Intriguing music doco, presented by metaller and anthropologist Sam Dunn, delving into the sub–culture of metal heads around the world and the…
India RebornIndia Reborn (2008) Recommended
Fascinating and disturbing doco series that looks at India as the next superpower, and the juxtapositions to its mighty wealth that cloud its future…
Second SkinSecond Skin (2008) Recommended
Dir. Juan Carlos Pineiro-Escoriaza
Compulsive insight into video game addiction, focused on a cross–section of young people who obsessively engage in what are known as MMOs (Mass…
What About Me? What About Me? (2008) Recommended
Dir. Duncan Bridgeman, Jamie Catto
A guide to better 21st Century living from the duo behind 1 GIANT LEAP, this kaleidoscope of philosophical and musical clips features contributions…
21 Up South Africa - Mandela's Children21 Up South Africa - Mandela's Children (2007)
Dir. Angus Gibson
The enduring UP Series moves to South Africa, where six 21–year–olds, first filmed in 1992, reflect on their lives to date. By…
Beyond Our KenBeyond Our Ken (2007)
Disquieting documentary exploring the inner workings of Australian spiritual group 'Kenya,' based on the principle of "energy conversion," accused of…
Bra BoysBra Boys (2007) Recommended
Dir. Sunny Abberton
Potent documentary that concerns itself with the cultural evolution and social struggle of a group of surfers from the Sydney suburb of Maroubra.…
Changing Climates Changing Climates (Changing Climates, Changing Times) (2007)
Dir. Marion Milne
Docu–drama predicting how global warming will impact different social groups around the world in the year 2100. Although visually striking,…
Choir, TheChoir, The (2007) Recommended
Dir. Michael Davie
Johannesburg's largest and most notorious prison is the setting for this inspiring documentary, which follows the fortunes of a convict choir who…
Cowboys and CommunistsCowboys and Communists (Cowboys & Communists) (2007) Recommended
Dir. Jess Feast
Engaging culture documentary centred on a risque East Berlin bar and eatery (known as White Trash Fast Food), operated by an ex–pat 'cowboy'…
First Cry, The First Cry, The (2007)
Dir. Gilles de Maistre
A beautifully observed documentary that portrays the miracle of child birth from varying perspectives around the globe. Shot over a 24 hour period,…
Heart Of An EmpireHeart Of An Empire (2007)
Dir. Jay Thompson
Engaging doco taking a look into the lives of an ever–expanding network of Star Wars fanatics, known as 'Fighting 501st Legion,' who get their…
Here to Stay (TV Series)Here to Stay (TV Series) (2007)
An enlightening, culturally pertinent reference point for the current make up of New Zealand society, this six part series revisits a number of key…
Ice Road Truckers (TV Series) Ice Road Truckers (TV Series) (2007)
Gritty reality show focusing on a group of hardened truckers attempting to make mega bucks by transporting loads of supplies across the treacherous…
Inside ChinaInside China (2007)
Dir. Jonathan Lewis
Surprisingly candid portrait of live inside the increasingly influential super–power. Dir. Lewis makes the most of the unprecedented access…
Joseph Campbell - Mythos IJoseph Campbell - Mythos I (2007)
Dir. Robert Walter
Feat. Susan Sarandon
This series comprises the lectures of mythologist Joseph Campbell, filmed shortly before his death and presented here by Susan Sarandon. The five…
Let's SayLet's Say (On dirait que... ) (2007)
Dir. Françoise Marie
A sweetly humble documentary in the vein of ETRE ET AVOIR, involving a group of French kids aged 8–13 asked to portray their parents’ jobs…
Music in Me, The Music in Me, The (2007)
Enriching documentary following an inspirational group of intellectually and physically disabled performers called 'The Merry Makers' as they prepare…
Night Night (2007)
Dir. Lawrence Johnston
Thought–provoking cine–visual essay about how humans perceive night–time through striking cinematography of Australian city and…
Send A BulletSend A Bullet (Manda Bala) (2007) Recommended
Dir. Jason Kohn
Unsettling doco exposing the corrupted underbelly of Sao Paulo, Brazil, where abduction, political fraud and torture runs rife. A protege of…
Story of India with Michael Wood, The (TV Series)Story of India with Michael Wood, The (TV Series) (2007) Recommended
Feat. Michael Wood
Acclaimed historian Wood takes to the destination du–jour – India – in order to acknowledge its history and research its…
SurfwiseSurfwise (2007) Aro Favourite
Dir. Doug Pray
Surprisingly confronting documentary following the ultimate surfer dude dad – Dorian Paskowitz – and his suffering family who forsake…
This American Life (TV Series)This American Life (TV Series) (2007-2009)
Ordinary strangers share their extraordinary anecdotes which are compiled by the worldly host into explorations on a given theme. This collection of…
Unlikely TravellersUnlikely Travellers (2007)
Dir. Michael Noonan
A refreshingly open doco framing a group of intellectually disabled travellers on a once–in–a–lifetime holiday to Egypt, following…
Beales of Grey Gardens, TheBeales of Grey Gardens, The (2006)
Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles
Comprised of new footage and fresh hindsight, the Maysles brothers revisit the iconic Beales immortalised in their 1976 verite classic GREY GARDENS.…
Cuba - A Lifetime Of PassionCuba - A Lifetime Of Passion (2006)
Dir. Glenn Gebhard
With unprecedented access on either side of the Florida Straits, this comprehensive, and beautifully shot documentary highlights the complexity of…
Jonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples TempleJonestown: The Life and Death of Peoples Temple (2006)
Dir. Stanley Nelson Jr
The enigma of cultist Jim Jones is investigated in chilling detail as this documentary outlays the infamous ‘Peoples Temple’ cult and its…
Life in LoopsLife in Loops (2006)
Dir. Timo Novotny
This audio–visual companion piece to MEGACITIES remixes the documentary’s existing footage of global degradation with a throbbing electronic…
Naked on the Inside Naked on the Inside (2006)
Dir. Kim Farrant
Affecting documentary narrated by Australian filmmaker Kim Farrant as she investigates the issue of 'body image' through the lives of an amputee…
Radiant CityRadiant City (2006) Recommended
Dir. Gary Burns, Jim Brown
This account of a ‘typical’ nuclear family ensconced in America’s suburban wasteland doubles as a serious expose of consumption, sprawl, and…
Sign of the TimesSign of the Times (2006)
Dir. Victoria Manning, Paul Wolffram
In April 2006 the New Zealand Parliament recognised New Zealand Sign Language as the third official language of New Zealand. This short 'insider'…
49 Up49 Up (2005) Aro Favourite
Dir. Michael Apted
The seventh part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britons of different…
51 Birch Street51 Birch Street (2005) Aro Favourite
Dir. Doug Block
Filmmaker Doug Block goes looking for skeletons in his parents’ closet following the sudden death of his mother, and the unexpected remarriage of…
Geldof in Africa (TV Series)Geldof in Africa (TV Series) (2005)
Dir. John Maguire
Feat. Bob Geldof
A six–part series in which Irish rock star–humanitarian Bob Geldof traverses the luminous continent of Africa exploring its natural…
In Search of Myths and Heroes (TV Series)In Search of Myths and Heroes (TV Series) (2005)
Feat. Michael Woods
BBC presenter Michael Wood explores four of the most famous myths in the world – Shangri–la, the Golden Fleece, the Queen of Sheba, and…
Jamie's School Dinners (TV Series)Jamie's School Dinners (TV Series) (2005)
Feat. Jamie Oliver
A heartening example of celebrity do–gooding, this sees the famous blonde chef Jamie Oliver engage in a campaign to transform the school…
Ladette To Lady (TV Series) Ladette To Lady (TV Series) (2005)
Trashy reality show that places a group of rough–and–ready "tom boys" in a finishing school to try and turn them into proper ladies who…
Paper ClipsPaper Clips (2005)
Dir. Elliot Berlin, Joe Fab
Straightforward and rather touching documentary about a schoolroom project in the backwoods Tennessee town of Whitwell which aimed to raise awareness…
Protocols of ZionProtocols of Zion (2005) Recommended
Dir. Marc Levin
An alarming examination of the widespread post–9/11 rumour that Jewish workers at the World Trade Centre, New York City, were forewarned of the…
Workingman's DeathWorkingman's Death (2005) Aro Favourite
Dir. Michael Glawogger
Astonishing depiction of six of the most gruelling jobs known to man that soberingly conveys the extremes that certain members of the global…
Boy Who Plays On The Buddhas of Bamiyan, TheBoy Who Plays On The Buddhas of Bamiyan, The (2004) Recommended
Dir. Phil Grabsky
A picturesque and moving documentary which follows in the footsteps of an impoverished family living in Bamiyan, Afghanistan, where a gigantic stone…
Czech DreamCzech Dream (Ceský sen) (2004) Recommended
Dir. Vit Klusak, Filip Remunda
A document of two young filmmaker's satirical stunt to promote a gigantic supermarket (hypermarket) to be supposedly constructed on the outskirts of…
DogoraDogora (2004)
Dir. Patrice Leconte
A filmic mediatation on Cambodia, loosely in the style of BARAKA, for which dir. Leconte travelled to the formerly wartorn country to capture the…
Guerilla: The Taking of Patty HearstGuerilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst (Neverland: The Rise and Fall of the Symbionese Liberation Army) (2004) Recommended
Dir. Robert Stone
An indepth examination of the Californian 'hippie–terrorists', the SLA, who rose to prominence in the 1970s attempting to change America with…
Michael Palin: Himalaya (TV Series)Michael Palin: Himalaya (TV Series) (2004)
Dir. Roger Mills, John-Paul Davidson
Feat. Michael Palin
Michael Palin continues his globe–trotting in this 6–part series in which he travels to the wild places of the Himalayan region. Filled…
Scared SacredScared Sacred (2004) Recommended
Dir. Velcrow Ripper
Visiting sites of some of the world’s most horrible stories doesn’t seem like a relaxed night’s viewing, but this doco by the interestingly…
Sheilas: 28 Years OnSheilas: 28 Years On (2004) Recommended
Dir. Annie Goldson, Dawn Hutchesson
Utilising the approach of Michael Apted's 7–UP films, this features encounters with the participants of the 1976 New Zealand TV series 'Women'…
Status Anxiety (TV Series)Status Anxiety (TV Series) (2004) Recommended
Writer and presenter Alain De Botton explores the myth that our level of material wealth and career success has a bearing on our happiness and…
Blockade, Landscape, Revue: 3 Films by Sergei LoznitsaBlockade, Landscape, Revue: 3 Films by Sergei Loznitsa (2003-2008)
Dir. Sergey Loznitsa
Three documentaries from Ukrainian director Sergei Loznitsa (DONBASS). Landscape (2003, 60 mins) is set at a bus stop in a small village, with the…
SpellboundSpellbound (2003) Recommended
Dir. Jeffrey Blitz
Surprise hit documentary that struck a universal chord in following eight high–school hopefuls in their bid to succeed at the American National…
Super Size MeSuper Size Me (2003) Recommended
Dir. Morgan Spurlock
Feat. Morgan Spurlock
Entertaining expose of the evils of 'fast food', in which the filmmaker uses himself as a human guinea–pig by embarking on a 30–day,…
Weeping Camel, TheWeeping Camel, The (Story of the Weeping Camel, The) (2003) Recommended
Dir. Byambasuren Davaa, Luigi Falorni
A lovingly filmed and touchingly simple excursion into the lives of a family of nomadic shepherds in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia, which blurs the line…
9/119/11 (2002) Aro Favourite
Dir. Jules Naudet, Gedeon Naudet, James Hanlon
What started out as an amateur documentary by two French brothers about the New York Fire Department turns into a vital, ground’s–eye view of…
Bus 174Bus 174 (2002) Recommended
Dir. José Padilha
A riveting analysis of an incident in Rio de Janeiro in June 2000 in which a lone, desperate gunman held hostage the passengers of a bus, while the…
Century of the Self, TheCentury of the Self, The (2002)
Dir. Adam Curtis
An expertly assembled wealth of archival footage helps tell the complex story of the growth of the mass–consumer society and the role played by…
CinemaniaCinemania (2002) Aro Favourite
Dir. Stephen Kijak, Angela Christlieb
An enthralling must–see for movie–buffs of any degree, this documents the daily rituals of five New York eccentrics whose lives are…
Coffee, Tea or Me?Coffee, Tea or Me? (2002) Recommended
Dir. Brita McVeigh
An engaging lowkey look at the experiences of seven woman who worked as air hostesses in the 1960s and 70s. Similiar in tone to the documentaries…
Drowned Out Drowned Out (2002) Recommended
Dir. Franny Armstrong
A forerunner, and now excellent companion piece to the much vaunted UP THE YANGTZE, this captures in sobering close–up the plight of an Indian…
Georgie GirlGeorgie Girl (2002) Recommended
Dir. Annie Goldson
The unique and quite remarkable life story of Georgina Beyer, born George, a Maori transsexual and former sex–worker, who recently was elected…
I Don't Know JackI Don't Know Jack (2002)
Dir. Chris Leavens
Feat. Jack Nance
Concerning the life, work and death of Jack Nance, star of ERASERHEAD and eccentric of other David Lynch films, whose self–destructive…
In a Land of PlentyIn a Land of Plenty (2002) Recommended
Dir. Alister Barry
Described as ‘the story of unemployment in New Zealand,’ this serves as a strong companion piece for SOMEONE ELSE'S COUNTRY, dir. Barry’s…
NaqoyqatsiNaqoyqatsi (2002) Recommended
Dir. Godfrey Reggio
Dir. Reggio follows up KOYAANISQATSI and POWAQQATSI, with another spectacular and mesmerising montage of global imagery, with Philip Glass again…
Okie NoodlingOkie Noodling (2002) Recommended
Dir. Bradley Beesley
An amiable glimpse into the American tradition of "noodling", whereby giant catfish in Oklahoma are lured and captured bare–handed. This…
StevieStevie (2002) Recommended
Dir. Steve James
A provocative, uniquely intimate doco in which the director reknews his acquaintance with a troubled adoptee, now facing prison, whom he once…
American MulletAmerican Mullet (2001)
Dir. Jennifer Arnold
Less hair–raising than affectionate documentary about that most controversial of hairstyles; the mullet. Going on the road in her "mullet…
Hell HouseHell House (2001) Recommended
Dir. George Ratliff
Behind–the–scenes account of a small fundamentalist church in Texas whose "Hell House" serves as a tool to literally "scare the hell out…
Project Greenlight (TV Series)Project Greenlight (TV Series) (2001) Aro Favourite
This outstanding documentary series about the making of a low–budget feature film is mandatory for anyone interested in film and the…
Startup.comStartup.com (2001) Recommended
Dir. Jehane Noujaim, Chris Hegedus
Feat. Kaleil Tuzman, Tom Herman
A supremely timely, as–it–happens recording of the boom–and–bust story of two naively ambitious internet entrepreneurs –…
Sweetest Sound, TheSweetest Sound, The (2001) Recommended
Dir. Alan Berliner
Wry, speculative documentary on identity and genealogy finds dir. Alain Berliner turning the camera on himself – and twelve other ‘Alan…
Titless WondersTitless Wonders (2001)
Dir. Gaylene Preston
“An upfront exploration of the emotional discoveries of women with breast cancer”, this bravely and valuably documents a subject most people…
Bouncer: Behind the Velvet RopeBouncer: Behind the Velvet Rope (2000)
Dir. Steven Cantor
Those guardians of bars and nightclubs describe the perils and perks of their profession (and why for some there’s no difference between them).…
Dark DaysDark Days (2000) Recommended
Dir. Marc Singer
A remarkable, compassionate document of homeless people condemned to living in underground shelters in the New York subway…
First Person (TV Series)First Person (TV Series) (2000) Recommended
Dir. Errol Morris
Errol Morris, the renowned cinematic observer of human testimony, nuance and eccentricity, here extends his patented "Interrotron" interview…
Natural History of the ChickenNatural History of the Chicken (2000)
Dir. Mark Lewis
The dir. of CANE TOADS here uses the odd behaviour of the humble chook as a wryly comic springboard for examining the equally odd behaviour of their…
Notes from a Small IslandNotes from a Small Island (2000)
The observant, ironic travel–writer Bill Bryson ambles through the United Kingdom making consistently amusing note of the oddities he discovers.
Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness (TV Series)Philosophy: A Guide to Happiness (TV Series) (2000) Recommended
Feat. Alain de Botton
Presented by respected modern–day philosopher Alain de Botton, this six part series features six historical thinkers and their theories on how…
Whirling Man, TheWhirling Man, The (2000)
Dir. Gretchin Mornin, James Hollings
Feat. Arnold Brooker
Brief compelling whirl through the world of Arnold Brooker, an eccentric fixture on the streets of Wellington who campaigns for the rights of the…
42 Up42 Up (1999) Aro Favourite
Dir. Michael Apted
The sixth part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of different…
Awful Truth, The (TV Series)Awful Truth, The (TV Series) (1999) Recommended
Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore
Find out what's really going on in America with merciless media activist Michael Moore, fighting for the common man against the evil–doers of…
Buena Vista Social ClubBuena Vista Social Club (1999) Aro Favourite
Dir. Wim Wenders
A handful of sprightly elderly Cuban musicians assembled in 1996 by guitarist Ry Cooder produced, with their soulful, melodic jazz sound, the biggest…
Hands on a Hard BodyHands on a Hard Body (1999) Aro Favourite
Dir. S.R. Bindler
Low–budget but enthralling chronicle of the annual ‘Hands on a Hard Body’ competition run by a local Texas radio station, in which 23…
Last Days, TheLast Days, The (1999) Recommended
Dir. James Moll
Accompanied by return visits to their homeland and the Nazi death camps, five Hungarian survivors of the Holocaust recount their remarkable stories…
Louis Theroux's - The CollectionLouis Theroux's - The Collection (Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends, When Louis Met....) (1999) Recommended
Four disc set compiling the best of the affable Louis Theroux, drawing from his three series to date. More disarming than Borat, Theroux’s…
Pop and MePop and Me (1999) Recommended
Dir. Chris Roe
A 'real life' documentary with a distinctive twist – would–be film–maker Chris Roe convinces his affluent divorcee father to not…
Cruise, TheCruise, The (1998) Recommended
Dir. Bennett Miller
A wonderful insight into life in New York City in the late 1990's through one of the cities eccentric characters – Tim "Speed" Levitch, a tour…
MegacitiesMegacities (1998)
Dir. Michael Glawogger
The dir. of WORKINGMAN'S DEATH reveals a global underclass with portraits of poverty and neglect, from Bombay to Moscow to Mexico City. Some may…
Road to Jerusalem + Roaring FortiesRoad to Jerusalem + Roaring Forties (1997) Recommended
Dir. Bruce Morrison
Affectionate biography/homage tracing the life of the late great NZ poet James K Baxter. Admirable recitals of his verse complement many candid…
Robinson in SpaceRobinson in Space (1997)
Dir. Patrick Keiller
Feat. Paul Scofield
Following up his widely–noted documentary LONDON, dir. Keiller again hits the road with his anonymous alter ego (voiceover by Paul Scofield)…
SickSick (1997) Aro Favourite
Dir. Kirby Dick
Stunning, compassionate feature biography of the life of Bob Flanagan, whose 'super–masochism' and extreme performance art was born of his…
Fast, Cheap and Out of ControlFast, Cheap and Out of Control (1996) Recommended
Dir. Errol Morris
Further pushing out a signature style that impresses technique as much as subject, dir. Errol Morris here takes real life as a mere starting point…
GallivantGallivant (1996) Aro Favourite
Dir. Andrew Kotting
An engrossing ‘gallivant’ around the coastline of Great Britain (and the parameters of experimental documentary) with the filmmaker, his…
Kiwi AsKiwi As (1996) Recommended
Dir. Shirley Horrocks
The second of dir. Shirley Horrocks journey into the delightful world of 'Kiwiana' – those often quaint artifacts of New Zealand's past –…
KiwianaKiwiana (1996) Recommended
Dir. Shirley Horrocks
The first of two congenial excursions into the increasingly popular genre of 20th century New Zealand cultural artifacts, collectively known as…
Not Fourteen Again (1996) Recommended
Dir. Gillian Armstrong
Inspired by the British 7–UP series, film–maker Armstrong completes(?) her anthropological documentary following the lives of three…
Putting Our Town On the MapPutting Our Town On the Map (1995)
Dir. Shirley Horrocks
An eye–opening documentary about how many New Zealand towns create prominent versions of local icons in their search for distinction and…
Human Animal, TheHuman Animal, The (1994)
Famed zoologist Desmond Morris' personal assessment of the human being spans the cultural globe to understand behavioural peculiarities that we daily…
LondonLondon (1994)
Dir. Patrick Keiller
The giant dichotomy that is London is exposed by counter–pointing post–card imagery with Paul Scofield's narration of the ironic,…
BarakaBaraka (1993) Aro Favourite
Dir. Ron Fricke
The cinematographer of KOYAANISQATSI montages gloriously filmed images from around the globe with modern world music and creates more than just an…
From the EastFrom the East (1993)
Dir. Chantal Akerman
Feat. Natalia Chakhovskaia
Travelogue documentary shot on 16mm which describes the lives of people in Poland, Russia and East Germany before the collapse of the Soviet…
PalmsPalms (Ladoni) (1993)
Dir. Artour Aristakisian
Examining the plight of Moscow’s homeless and adrift, dir. Aristakisyan’s jarring, but resolute formalism (unfussy 16mm black and white footage…
Lessons of Darkness / Fata MorganaLessons of Darkness / Fata Morgana (1992/1969) Recommended
Dir. Werner Herzog
Two of dir. Herzog’s impressionistic documentaries on a double DVD. LESSONS OF DARKNESS investigates the aftermath of the Gulf War, with…
35 Up35 Up (1992) Aro Favourite
Dir. Michael Apted
The fifth part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of different…
Good Woman of BangkokGood Woman of Bangkok (1991)
Dir. Dennis O'Rourke
A typical sex–worker reveals her experiences to illuminate the harsh reality and profound sadness at the base of Thailand's prolific sex…
Making Sense of the SixtiesMaking Sense of the Sixties (1991)
Fulsome documentary overview of the turbulent sixties, specifically in context with America, where John F. Kennedy, civil rights, the Vietnam War,…
Talk 16Talk 16 (1991)
Dir. Janis Lundman, Adrienne Mitchell
The transition of childhood to womanhood is revealed in this intimate, candid study of five 16–year–old girls over a five year period.
American DreamAmerican Dream (1990) Recommended
Dir. Barbara Kopple
An Oscar–winning documentary about the effects of trade–union–company conflict at a meat–packing plant in Minnesota in…
Maria's Story Maria's Story (A Portrait Of Love And Survival In El Salvador's Civil War) (1990)
Dir. Monona Wali, Pamela Cohen
Roger and MeRoger and Me (1990) Aro Favourite
Dir. Michael Moore
Feat. Michael Moore
A brilliantly irreverant personal odyssey by the film–maker who, equipped with a mic and a camera, endeavours to extract comment from General…
Ilé AiyéIlé Aiyé (The House of Life) (1989)
Dir. David Byrne
David Byrne documents the Candomblé, the African–influenced spirit cult of the Bahia region of Brazil, exploring the ways in which they have…
Shakers, TheShakers, The (1989)
Dir. Ken Burns
Documentary about the religion often characterised by their ecstatic dancing, pacifism and belief in non–conventional medicine. Ken Burns…
Cane ToadsCane Toads (An Unnatural History) (1988)
Dir. Mark Lewis
Since 1935 these noxious green freaks have been multiplying rapidly throughout Australia. Lewis tackles them and their absurd human foes head on in…
PowaqqatsiPowaqqatsi (1988) Recommended
Dir. Godrey Reggio
Extending the themes and montage techniques of cult favourite ‘Koyaanisqatsi’, this sequel introduces media culture excess and the plight of the…
Power of Myth - Joseph Campbell, ThePower of Myth - Joseph Campbell, The (1988) Recommended
Dir. Bill Moyers
Enlightening journey through the mind of myth–guru Joseph Campbell, compiling six hours of interviews by Bill Moyers in the 2 years preceding…
Matter of HeartMatter of Heart (1986) Recommended
An inspired film portrait of Carl Jung that weaves together interview, home movie and archival footage of the famous psychoanalyst to deliver an…
Sherman's MarchSherman's March (1986) Aro Favourite
Dir. Ross McElwee
A wonderfully oddball chronicle of the disastrous and wacky lovelife and times of the film–maker. Intending to make a historical doco, he veers…
28 Up28 Up (1985) Recommended
Dir. Michael Apted
The fourth part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of…
All American HighAll American High (All American High Revisited) (1985-2014) Aro Favourite
Dir. Keva Rosenfeld
Excellent 'time–capsule' account of a year at an affluent American High School in Los Angeles, California in 1984. The film's key character…
Private Practices: The Story of a Sex SurrogatePrivate Practices: The Story of a Sex Surrogate (1985)
Dir. Kirby Dick
The debut feature from bold documentarian Kirby Dick (SICK) is this fascinating and humane portrait of a sex surrogate Maureen Sullivan, who is…
ShoahShoah (1985) Aro Favourite
Dir. Claude Lanzmann
Claude Lanzmann's epic documentary on the Holocaust – 10 years in the making – is everything Resnais' 'Night and Fog' isn't; rough,…
Chicken RanchChicken Ranch (1984) Recommended
Dir. Nick Broomfield
Astonishing expose of a famous legal whorehouse in Texas on which a popular Dolly Parton movie was based. What is revealed, however, is far from the…
KoyaanisqatsiKoyaanisqatsi (1983) Aro Favourite
Dir. Godfrey Reggio
This unique visual and aural masterpiece looks at our earth and 20th Century 'progress' through the eye of time–lapse camera. The…
Vernon, FloridaVernon, Florida (1982)
Dir. Errol Morris
An early gem from dir. Morris (THE FOG OF WAR) that ambles around the small backwater town of the title, documenting the eccentricities and humour of…
Gates of HeavenGates of Heaven (1980) Aro Favourite
Dir. Errol Morris
This acclaimed debut of dir. Errol Morris (THIN BLUE LINE) staked a high water mark for eccentric film subjects by documenting the closing down of a…
Soldier GirlsSoldier Girls (1980) Recommended
Dir. Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill
Early Nick Broomfield entry surveys the US Army's training regime for female recruits. Though less obtrusive than in later incarnations, Broomfield…
Three Popular Films by Jean-Pierre GorinThree Popular Films by Jean-Pierre Gorin (Poto and Cabengo, Routine Pleasures, My Crasy Life) (1980-1992)
Dir. Jean-Pierre Gorin
Three delightfully absorbing observational documentaries from director Jean–Pierre Gorin, well know for his collaborations with Jean–Luc…
Best BoyBest Boy (1979)
Dir. Ira Wohl
Academy–award winning doco follows three years in the life of the film–maker's cousin Philly, a 52–year–old with the…
Tattooed Tears (1978)
Dir. Nick Broomfield, Joan Churchill
Early Nick Broomfield doco eschews his later interactive style for an unrelenting examination of the life of four youths in a prison for young…
21 Up21 Up (1977) Recommended
Dir. Michael Apted
The third part of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of different…
Grey GardensGrey Gardens (1976) Recommended
Dir. Albert Maysles, David Maysles, Ellen Hovde
An intimate portrait of acute eccentricity, this offers a ‘home movie’–style insight into the lives of colourful high–society…
Harlan County USAHarlan County USA (1976) Aro Favourite
Dir. Barbara Kopple
A vivid, enlightening documentary about a violent labour dispute on the East Kentucky coalfields, prompted by decades of poor conditions in the…
Smokes and Lollies / Fourteen's Good, Eighteen's BetterSmokes and Lollies / Fourteen's Good, Eighteen's Better (1975-1980)
Dir. Gillian Armstrong
The first of five documentaries Gillian Armstrong directed on Adelaide women Kerry, Josie and Diana, this introduces the fresh–faced trio as…
CalcuttaCalcutta (1969)
Dir. Louis Malle
Louis Malle’s companion piece to PHANTOM INDIA isolates some extraordinary footage of Calcutta, presenting a fiery and tempestuous image of a city…
Phantom IndiaPhantom India (1969)
Dir. Louis Malle
Captured on film, Louis Malle’s pilgrimage to India is relayed with remarkable and imposing gravitas as the director discovers the country, warts…
SalesmanSalesman (1968) Recommended
Dir. David Maysles, Albert Maysles, Charlotte Zwerin
Devastating look at the borderline existence of four door–to–door bible salesman, as they go their round from coffee–shop,…
Actuality Dramas of Allan King, TheActuality Dramas of Allan King, The (Warrendale; A Married Couple; Come on Children; Dying at Grace; Memory For Max, Claire, Ida and Company) (1967-2005) Recommended
Dir. Allan King
A collection of five cinema–verité style documentaries from the extraordinary Canadian auteur Allan King, all of which are emotionally…
Country Calendar (TV Series)Country Calendar (TV Series) (1966-2015)
The iconic New Zealand series that unveils the doings of our rural populace – their innovations, traditions and eccentricities. 'Very Best…
7 Up / 14 Up7 Up / 14 Up (Seven Plus Seven) (1964-1970) Recommended
Dir. Paul Almond, Michael Apted
The first two parts of the extraordinary television documentary series that documents the attitudes, personalities and lives of 14 Britishers of…
I am CubaI am Cuba (1964) Aro Favourite
Dir. Mikhail Kalatozov
One of the most renowned documentaries of the 1960s, this poetic evocation of Cuba under Batista is today notable for both its quaint politics and…
Whicker's World (TV Series)Whicker's World (TV Series) (1958-1994) Recommended
Feat. Alan Whicker
Fronted by one of the most celebrated social commentators and journalists of the 20th century, Alan Whicker's television masterpieces saw the polite…
Nuit et Broulliard (Night and Fog)Nuit et Broulliard (Night and Fog) (1955)
Dir. Alain Resnais
Haunting, influential doco on the Nazi concentration camps investigates the ways in which images of past events cause guilt for those in the present,…
History of PornographyHistory of Pornography
Dir. Hons Wegmunsen
Raw expose of the origins and changing social implications of taboo erotica. The 'stag' movies of the '30s and '40s, in this context are particularly…

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