10 of the Best Documentaries of the 2010s | A Look Back at the Decade (2024)

Lists

1 Jun

Written By Habiba Abdou

10 of the Best Documentaries of the 2010s | A Look Back at the Decade (1)

Documentary films are a powerful medium that has the ability to inspire, educate and entertain. In the last decade, we have seen some outstanding documentaries that have raised social awareness, captured real-life experiences, and showcased exceptional storytelling and filmmaking prowess.

In this blog post, we will take a look at ten of the best documentaries of the 2010s that deserve a spot on your watch-list. From political corruption to human survival, these documentaries offer a range of topics that will leave you moved and inspired.

Citizenfour (2014)

Directed by Laura Poitras, Citizenfour tells the story of Edward Snowden, the former CIA employee who leaked classified information to the press about global surveillance programs. The documentary is shot in a hotel room in Hong Kong, where Snowden meets with Poitras and journalist Glenn Greenwald to share his story.

The film is a gripping account of Snowden's moral dilemma and the repercussions of his actions. Poitras won an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature for Citizenfour in 2015.

Citizenfour

Minding the Gap (2018)

Directed by Bing Liu, Minding the Gap is a coming-of-age documentary that follows the lives of three skateboarders in Rockford, Illinois.

The film explores the themes of friendship, trauma, domestic violence, and the complexities of growing up. Liu masterfully weaves together each character's story, drawing upon themes of race, class, and masculinity. Minding the Gap was nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 91st Academy Awards.

Minding the Gap

Amazing Grace (2018)

Directed by Sydney Pollack and Alan Elliott, Amazing Grace captures the live recording of Aretha Franklin's gospel album of the same name. The footage was recorded in 1972 in the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

The film is a testament to Franklin's musical prowess, showcasing her soulful voice and commanding presence. The documentary was released posthumously after Franklin's death in 2018. It is a celebration of her legacy as the Queen of Soul.

Amazing Grace

O.J.: Made in America (2016)

Directed by Ezra Edelman, O.J.: Made in America is an eight-hour exploration of the rise and fall of O.J. Simpson, the former football star, and actor.

The documentary uses Simpson's story as a lens to examine issues of race, celebrity culture, and the criminal justice system in America. The film is a comprehensive account of Simpson's life, from his athletic career to his highly publicized murder trial. O.J.: Made in America won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2017.

O.J.: Made in America

No Home Movie (2015)

Directed by Chantal Akerman, No Home Movie is a deeply personal documentary that explores the relationship between a mother and daughter.

The film is shot in a minimalist style, featuring Akerman's conversations with her mother, a Holocaust survivor. The documentary is an intimate portrait of family dynamics, loss, and grief. No Home Movie showcases Akerman's bravery in tackling tough subjects and her mastery of visual storytelling.

No Home Movie

The Act of Killing (2012)

Stories We Tell (2013)

Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell is a delicate but powerful examination of how families remember and forget their stories.

The movie is an exploration of a family's history and their ways of storytelling. Sarah masterfully uncovers a fascinating tale of secrets, loves, and lies, and how they have influenced her family dynamics.

Stories We Tell

Cartel Land (2015)

Cartel Land is a gritty look at the drug wars in Mexico, highlighting the work of vigilantes and the impact of illegal drugs sold in the United States.

Director Matthew Heineman delves deep into the lives of two vigilante groups that are fighting to bring an end to the cartels' reign of terror. The film offers a gritty perspective on the deadly conflict that is happening on both sides of the border.

Cartel Land

I Am Not Your Negro (2017)

Raoul Peck's I Am Not Your Negro tells the story of James Baldwin's unfinished book "Remember This House."

This documentary tackles racism, police brutality, and civil rights issues through the eyes of Baldwin's writings. The film is especially powerful as it reflects on current-day issues of race relations. Baldwin's words, narrated by actor Samuel L. Jackson, remain incredibly relevant today.

I Am Not Your Negro

In Jackson Heights (2015)

Directed by iconic documentarian Frederick Wiseman, In Jackson Heights is an exploration of a largely immigrant and working-class neighborhood in Queens, New York.

Wiseman spends time at a street fair, a community garden, a retirement center, and a community meeting discussing the potential re-zoning of the area. The result is an engaging look at the social and cultural diversity of the area, intertwined with an intimate perspective on gentrification.

In Jackson Heights

Conclusion

The ten documentaries highlighted above represent some of the best films of the 2010s. From political scandals to personal tragedies, each film tells a unique and compelling story.

These documentaries push the boundaries of nonfiction filmmaking and offer a depth of insight into the human experience through rare archival footage. They are a testament to the power of documentary filmmaking to provoke discussion, challenge norms, and inspire change.

If you haven't watched these films yet, be sure to add them to your watch-list; they are a must-see for any documentary lover or Cannes Film Festival fan.

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