Steamy Streaming: The Best Docs
The Most Provocative Documentaries of 2019
As 2019 comes to a close, PROVOKR is taking a look back at the documentaries that dominated conversations. This year’s lineup proved to be entertaining, thought-provoking and educational. They challenged us in ways we didn’t expect, which is what we should expect of the media we consume. If you didn’t catch these when they first came out, be sure to watch them before the year ends:
THE INVENTOR: OUT FOR BLOOD IN SILICON VALLEY
Academy Award-winning director Alex Gibney wrote and directed The Inventor, a documentary about Theranos and its founder, Elizabeth Holmes. In 2014, the Silicon Valley health care company was valued at $9 billion, making Holmes the youngest self-made billionaire and deemed “the next Steve Jobs.” Just two years later, her company was dissolved among fraud accusations. The documentary uses unfiltered interviews with key people in the company and blowing our mind upon every viewing.
The Inventor is available on HBO.
LEAVING NEVERLAND
It’s not easy to see your idols’ dirty secrets uncovered — especially with criminal activity. The story of Leaving Neverland centers around Michael Jackson’s grooming of two boys and their families. The two-part documentary is difficult to watch, but it has remained relevant in 2019’s cultural Zeitgeist.
Leaving Neverland is available on HBO.
SURVIVING R. KELLY
In a similar vein to Leaving Neverland, Surviving R. Kelly documents the abuse allegations against the famous R&B singer known for songs like “I Believe I Can Fly” and “Ignition.” His reputation was tarnished when the accusations against him surfaced during the #MeToo Movement. The six-part series is intriguing and important in the landscape of today’s society.
Surviving R. Kelly is available on Netflix.
CONVERSATIONS WITH A KILLER: THE TED BUNDY TAPES
True crime is as popular as ever. There are so many ways to take in the genre — through podcasts, books and, in the case of The Ted Bundy Tapes, a show. Director Joe Berlinger released unheard conversations with the serial killer ahead of his Zac Efron-led narrative feature, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile. The docuseries is chilling — and that’s what makes it captivating.
Conversations With A Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes is available on Netflix.
AMERICAN FACTORY
American Factory is poised for an Oscar nomination and a possible win. The hard-hitting documentary tells the story of a GM plant near Dayton, Ohio, that closes down in 2008 when the recession hits. By 2014, a Chinese company has bought and transformed the plant into an auto glass factory. The kicker: It supplies 2,000 jobs in the area. The doc shines a light on the American auto business as well as the economic drivers of the U.S., making for relevant piece of media that everyone can learn from.
American Factory is available on Netflix.
FOR SAMA
American Factory will surely have some competition this awards season with For Sama nabbing some critics’ choice wins. The documentary paints an intimate portrait of the female experience of war in Syria. The cameras follow a young woman who marries and has a child, Sama. It’s a heart-wrenching and tension-filled journey you don’t want to miss.
For Sama is available on PBS.
