Category: documentary

This is healthcare. Period. “The Devil Is Busy” (2024)

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directed by Geeta Gandbhir & Christalyn Hampton
© 2024 HBO Documentary Films. All Rights Reserved.

It’s 2025 and we still need to make films to share awareness about basic human rights. Oh well… but if that’s the case, then it’s great people make such productions. Today, I’d like to recommend you a short documentary about one of the most controversial issues nowadays. The person that we mostly follow here is Tracii, the head of security at one abortion clinic. We get to see the daily life of the staff from her perspective. And as you can imagine, it’s not easy. Such places are still not accepted by some groups, so you may not only see them protesting in front of clinics, but also use a variety of things to harm the employees and patients. That is why women have to be protected in order to go through the procedure. Before watching this documentary I was aware of the protests that happen nearby abortion clinics because I live in a country where such things take place as well. The protestants even use toxic substances against the staff or they break windows/doors. However, this short film actually opened my eyes on the level of fear, anxiety and pain that women go through. If a woman decides to have an abortion, she is already under a massive stress. You never know why she makes such decision and, let’s be honest, it’s none of your business, because, in the end, she’s the one who would have to raise this child. So imagine you’re in such situation, you dress up, go to the clinic and you see people willing to hurt you for even being there. It’s insane! Each person may have their own beliefs, but you have no right to traumatise others for making decisions about their own life. That is why I admire people like Tracii, who work everyday in such environment and still give so much support to their patients. They are those superheroes we don’t often hear about, so maybe it’s time to finally talk about them. You may start from this documentary. And I wish you such wonderful people on your path in case you need help.

My rating: 7/10
S.

Welcome to my life. “Simple Plan: The Kids in the Crowd” (2025)

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directed by Didier Charette
© 2025 Sphere Media. All Rights Reserved.

Do you remember what posters were hanging on your walls when you were a teenager? Or maybe you are a teenager now and you’ve decorated your room with pictures of your idols. When I was in high school, one of my favourite bands was surely Simple Plan. I remember watching “New York Minute” with Olsen twins, where one of them skips school to attend a Simple Plan concert. And that’s how I found out about them. Loved their energy and charisma from the very beginning. Even though they were musicians on a big stage, they still acted like those kiddos in the crowd. And I guess that’s why I felt so connected to them and their music. In this documentary, you may learn about their story, which was quite complex at the beginning. They really risked it all and did everything to become a well-known band. Not many people have that much courage… or insanity. Still, I’m more than happy they succeeded, because Simple Plan was and still is an important part of my life. You see, for some people his songs might be just random, easy-to-listen tunes that can play somewhere in the background. But then I was growing up, I needed someone to support me, tell me I’m not alone with my struggles. And even though I didn’t know them in person, I felt comforted by their music. While watching this documentary, I realised there were millions of teenagers like me who got influenced by Simple Plan. In some cases they literally saved people’s lives, which is something incredible to imagine. What if those Canadian kiddos hadn’t decided to play? Our generation really needed such musicians to go together with us in life. What’s more, I’m an adult now, but sometimes I still feel like that scared teenager, and I bet Simple Plan guys do too. And that’s beautiful we can share it and scream at loud for our mental health. Fun fact – when I was younger, I was sure I’d never see Simple Plan, because back then my country wasn’t the most popular destination for bands to visit. And then, 2024 comes and I’m in the crowd watching Pierre, Chuck, Jeff and Sébastien. Live. In my country. That night was a real dream come true and I was probably the most exicted person there. What’s even more important – I felt like at a local garage concert with friends, because the atmosphere was so warm. And I guess that’s Simple Plan’s biggest adventage – that they are still those kiddos from the basement and they don’t pretend anyone else. What I found interesting in this documentary was the topic of not feeling included in the music genre group. You see, they were too pop for punk, but also too punk for pop. In the end, they just followed their own path and accepted all possible labels, just to make the music they wanted to make. And I loved it. No matter if you’re a Simple Plan fan or not, I recommend you to see this documentary and learn their story.

My rating: 7/10
S.

To see someone at a human level. “Speak.” (2025)

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directed by Jennifer Tiexiera & Guy Mossman
© 2025 Vox Pop Films. All Rights Reserved.

In order to balance the atmosphere on this blog, I’ve decided to write about a very uplifting documentary that I watched with pure pleasure. Recently, I shared about a film that covers the topic of social ignorance, but today, I want to show you that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. In this documentary, we follow several young people who prepare for speech and debate competitions, and their main goal is the national tournament, where only absolute best speakers are welcome to compete. The pressure is high, but all the participants have unlimited motivation. On the one hand, they want to prove themselves that they are inspiring speakers, who can really catch your attention and share their perspective in the best way possible. On the other hand, each of those students chooses a huge topic to cover. There are speeches about LGBTQ+ rights, world wars and conflicts, racism, xenophobia, death, mental health etc. They are not talking about their hobbies or favourite colours, my dear. Those amazing young speakers go onto that stage to shake you and your mind. This documentary is not only full of positive vibes and hope for the future generations, but also quite emotional. I was cheering for all the participants as if they were my own children. And as an adult, I’m truly moved how intelligent, caring and determined those students are. Perhaps if we gave them the power instead of all those lazy authorities who only take money for very limited job done, our world would look much better. Also, I believe such tournaments should be popularised and organised in each school. Because that would encourage students to use their voice and share their thoughts, but also train them to be better public speakers. And as we know, public speaking is important in numerous jobs in the future, so the more you practise, the more comfortable you feel in such situations. Really, there’s nothing more I can add – just watch this documentary and get inspired. They speak, you listen. That’s it. And don’t feel discouraged by my rating – it’s simply because I’d expect a better structure and less chaotic way of telling those stories. But those youngsters are worth meeting, believe me.

My rating: 6/10
S.

For my pretty mom. “Writing Hawa” (2024)

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directed by Najiba Noori
© 2024 Tag Film. All Rights Reserved.

If you’re in need of some women empowerment, here’s a beautiful story you should learn. The documentary was directed by Najiba Noori, an Afghan journalist and filmmaker, who decided to present the reality of Afghan women by telling the story of her own mother, Hawa. She had an arranged marriage when she was only 13 years old. Her husband is 30 years older than her, so imagine how difficult it must have been for such a young girl to play the role of a wife. Now, as Hawa is already a grandmother, she decides to put herself first and wants to learn how to read and write. You see, women there are not supposed to be educated, so lots of them are illiterate. In order to change that, Hawa asks her family to help her and with their support she’s finally learning to read and write. Unfortunately, in 2021 the US soldiers are told to leave Afghanistan, which leads to the Taliban taking over. And as you can imagine, whatever had got improved until then, had to change immediately. Women’s independence is non-existent in such circumstances. The director of the documentary doesn’t only show the reality of women in Afghanistan, but she also made the film to thank her mother for everything she’s done. Despite all the difficulties, pain, barriers – she managed to raise her children and make sure their future was better than her own. Indeed, Najiba is now a free and educated woman with a decent job and lots of perspectives. Yet, she cannot accept the fact that her mother still has to go through such hell. This film is both incredibly beautiful and horribly painful. Beautiful, because Najiba makes sure to praise Hawa for who she is, which all good parents deserve for sure. However, it’s painful, because after over 40 years nothing much has changed in the life of Afghan women. They are still considered objects that men manipulate with. They should be obedient wives, ready to give birth to many children (especially sons), and never disrespect their husbands. Even if they maltreat them, even if they hurt them, even if they rape them – a “good” woman should stay silent. As you know, I’m highly sensitive to such subjects and I cannot understand how in 2025 we still allow anyone to be treated this way. The documentary is hard to watch, but generally I’m thankful for it, because it shows the incredible power of women that should be reminded more and more often. Take some time to meet Hawa and learn her story.

My rating: 7/10
S.

She needs the audience like air to breathe. “Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present” (2012)

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directed by Matthew Akers & Jeff Dupre
© 2012 Show of Force. All Rights Reserved.

736 hours and 30 minutes without any word, without any movement, no food and drink, no toilet breaks. That’s what it took to create one of the most spectacular performances I’ve heard of. Marina Abramović is a famous artist of Serbian origin. Her life has been full of numerous adventures, unusual acquaintances, but mostly – crossing the line way too much. If you think something is impossible, Marina has probably already done it. When I first heard of her, it was at university and we were discussing her performances. At the beginning, I thought “who’s so crazy to risk their own life for some performance?”, and then I realised that even if I may not understand some of her drastic choices, I admire her bravery and strength as a woman, as a human, as an artist. I’ve read her autobiography and I know it’s not a book blog, but if you find some time – please read this one. Reading about her life was much more exciting than reading most fictional books, I swear. Anyway, today I’d like to recommend you a film about Marina’s important event. You will find out a bit about her life, but only a small fragment. Generally, we move to The Museum of Modern Art in New York where in 2010 Marina organised a big event presenting her most iconic pieces of art, which were re-enacted by other performers. All the presented performances had to be with the performer present in the piece, not just a bunch of objects to observe, so that’s why the whole event is called “The Artist is Present”. During the exhibition, Marina was about to perform herself – and that one was a huge challenge. She decided to put two chairs facing each other, sit on one of them and let people just sit on the other. The rules were simple: you just sit, not say a word, and look into each other’s eyes. As long as you need. At first, the organising team were worried that perhaps nobody would want to sit in front of Marina, but it turned out to be the opposite. People were queuing for hours to take part in the performance, some of them even several times. Marina spent many hours on just being present for her audience, which I personally find amazing. To me, she paid respect to people who admire her work, because each person could be there with her, one to one for at least a moment. As she was saying, she fully focused on the other person, she wasn’t noticing anyone around them, so she was truly there for that one on the second chair. I cannot even imagine what kind of emotions she was feeling during the performance, because even watching parts of it was fascinating. One of the big moments was when her ex partner, Ulay, sat on the other chair. They were a couple of artists performing together for many years, but finally decided to go separate ways. When Marina saw Ulay on the second chair, she started crying and broke the rules – she reached out with her hands to touch his. Did I cry at that moment? Maybe. Generally, I’m moved by what Marina has done as an artist in her life, so if you want to learn about someone truly special, make sure to see this documentary. And if you get inspired, then the book is waiting as well.

My rating: 8/10
S.

Entertainment based on disgusting crimes. “Predators” (2025)

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directed by David Osit
© 2025 MTV Documentary Films. All Rights Reserved.

Today’s documentary hit me hard, so get ready for some rollercoaster and a literal head explosion. But before I shake your brain like Shakira’s hips, let’s talk a bit about reality shows. To be absolutely honest, I watch them. Maybe not all of them, but there are some that really boost my serotonin level in the evening. And even though I enjoy watching such programs, I sometimes reflect on their influence on viewers. I mean, the participants of such shows are ordinary people, who suddenly become popular. We may laugh at their silly statements or some awkward situations, but we don’t think of the consequences. Perhaps such participant may feel ashamed and later deal with mental issues. Or the other way round – their actions might inspire viewers, who start behaving in some inappropriate way. Still, the reality shows that I watch are mostly about dating or solving puzzles (“The Traitors” are my top of the top!). However, in 2004 an unusual reality show was released in the USA, which I haven’t had a chance to see, but I learned about it thanks to today’s documentary. The show was called “To Catch a Predator” and its idea was to simulate meetings between minors and adults in order to prove the adult is committing a crime. Shortly speaking – this program was showing pedophiles being caught red-handed. Obviously, those men didn’t have a chance to touch the minor anyhow, but in the episode we could listen to disgusting conversations between the abuser and the victim. We could listen to the way those adults manipulate the children in order to use them. As I said, I didn’t see the full show, but in this documentary we get to see some parts. And that’s enough for me. As you can imagine, the program was a success, meaning a lot of people watched it and all those criminals were arrested. So why don’t we continue? Showing a pedophile feeling ashamed of his actions – isn’t that pure joy? Well, yes and no. As a person who would vote for even more serious punishment for such abusers, I wouldn’t enjoy watching this program. Because I don’t see the point of making a disgusting crime a source of entertainment. I’d be satisfied with such simulations being done without any cameras. There are some things that shouldn’t be used as a way to attract people and boost TV ratings. Not the most pleasant documentary, but horribly important, so I hope you’ll find time for it.

My rating: 7/10
S.

Welcome to the fucking world. “Flophouse America” (2025)

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directed by Monica Strømdahl
© 2025 Fri Film. All Rights Reserved.

It’s not going to be a pleasant post, so if you need something uplifting, then keep scrolling. However, if you’re ready to see the consequences of American “freedom”, then have a seat. When I saw this film’s description, I was worried that my sensitivity may not handle it. But then, I highly appreciate such raw, realistic pictures showing what world we actually live in. So I pressed play and learnt a sad story. Mikal is just a little boy living with his parents in a motel. The family cannot afford anything else since money is a big issue. Plus, both of them struggle with addiction to substances, which isn’t cheap either, and which stops them from improving their life. This production is a result of about three years of documenting their reality, which doesn’t seem to differ from one year to another. We observe two adults stuck in their life, with absolutely no willingness to change anything, but also no strength to do that. And then, there’s Mikal, a child who was born into such reality, who just wants the same as other children: to have his own room, to go on trips with his parents, to get gifts for good behaviour. Or to simply feel loved and protected. My heart was aching from the beginning of this film as I’m incredibly sensitive about the topic of mistreating children. However, the critical moment was when Mikal lost his temper and screamed his opinion, his needs and his call for help to his father. The words coming from that little boy were nothing I’d expect from a child. That scene showed me that Mikal is way too grown up for his age (unhealthily), but also that he carries a lot of pain everyday. Did I cry? Don’t even ask… To me this is beyond imagination that we let children live in such families. I’m not saying his parents don’t love him – I bet they do. But those are two very lost adults who need help. The problem with overusing drugs and alcohol is way too common, especially in the USA. But no child deserves to be raised by addicts. And you know what troubles me the most? That a Norwegian filmmaker found such family and was with them for over 3 years, but during that time no social services decided to help the family. That Mikal was still stuck in a place where he had to be an adult taking care of 3 people. This is terrifying. The ending of the film is also difficult, so prepare for a demanding projection. Hope this film becomes a lesson to many people, especially those in charge who let it all happen. And let it all happen everyday.

My rating: 7/10
S.

For me, it’s art. “Riefenstahl” (2024)

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directed by Andres Veiel
© 2024 Vincent Productions. All Rights Reserved.

When I was a student of Film Studies, we had this one year-long course about documentaries. Personally, I loved each class of it because I learned a lot about the history of making such films. One day, we were discussing Leni Riefenstahl, a German filmmaker, and we got to see her productions. If you haven’t heard of her, let me just add that she was born in 1902, so do some maths and you’ll perhaps guess what kind of documentaries she was making. Yes, she was responsible for directing the films ordered by the one and only screaming man with a ridiculous moustache. Considering this fact, her work should have been banned, but the problem is that those productions are of magnificent quality. And here comes the main question film critics have been asking themselves for years: should we praise or despise her? Today’s documentary is presenting her whole life and work, including numerous interviews with Leni and difficult conversations around this topic. She was always saying that she’s a filmmaker who makes art, so she’s not supporting any political decisions and actions. However, by making a film about the greatness of Germany back then, she definitely supported the positive image of Hitler. And that puts us, viewers and film critics, in an uncomfortable position, because if she admitted she was a great filmmaker in the hands of the screaming guy, we would have a much easier job to do. What I mean is that if we got this statement from her, we would consider her a talented director among nazis. Period. I’m sure she’d still be disrespected by her personal choices, but we could say “yes, she was doing wrong, but technically her films are brilliant”. But since she’s always defended herself claiming she’s just an unaware artist, it complicates everything. Because it’s truly hard to imagine that she was making all those films unaware of what she’s supporting. I can believe that some people didn’t know what’s going on back then, because that’s how propaganda works – it makes you feel like we’re the good ones, and only those others are pure evil. However, in the documentary I’m recommending to you today, we get the evidence that Leni knew exactly what game she’s playing. I mean, if you witness a shooting of innocent people, then you must react to that. To be honest, I’m not angry that she was working for Hitler (either it was for money or for fame), but I’m angry about the fact she couldn’t stand up and admit it. To me, she was an artist, a horribly talented filmmaker, and she used her chance to make films. It wasn’t moral and right, but she took her chance. That’s my personal opinion. So it’s hard for me to respect her as a person, but when it comes to her films – those are indeed pieces of art and important elements of film history. Even if they are full of propaganda, she was a pioneer and I truly recommend you to see her work. And Leni herself… I’ll leave her for you to judge.

My rating: 7/10
S.

I’m a totally cool person. “Patrice: The Movie” (2024)

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directed by Ted Passon
© 2024 Cedar Road. All Rights Reserved.

This is the best documentary I’ve seen this year. Period. That should be enough for you to stop reading and go watch it. However, if you’re a picky little cinephile, then fine… I’ll continue the post, but don’t expect anything else than my full admiration. We get to know Patrice, a lovely woman in her 50s, who’s a human form of sunshine, joy and passion. I swear, if you spend even few minutes with her, you immediately cheer up. But Patrice’s life hasn’t been a bed of roses as she’s a person with a disability, who often had to fight for her rights, comfort and acceptance. She will tell you her life story in the film, so I’m not spoiling anything now. As an adult woman, she makes her dreams come true and uses the time on this planet to the fullest. What’s more, she has a loving partner named Garry, who’s also disabled. Despite their obvious struggles, they support each other and their relationship seems incredibly strong. I guess it’s not only because they are a good match based on their characters and interests, but also because they both understand what it is to be marginalised. Watching those two is heart-warming and gives me hope that true love still exists. So is this documentary a big positivity bomb? Not always. Patrice and Garry wish to finally get married, but the law puts them in a difficult position. You’ll find a more precise explanation in the film, but shortly speaking: if two people with disabilities get married, their social benefits are taken away. As if by getting married they proved that they aren’t actually in need of such benefits, because, perhaps, if they are able to get married, they are able to work and do other things to survive. So the couple has to decide – either they get married and find some way to support themselves financially, or they stay just a couple and keep their benefits. Some may say this isn’t such a big deal, it’s just a ceremony – and perhaps they’re right. But equality means that we’re all allowed to do the same things. And if the two lovers don’t hurt anyone by wearing a white dress and a suit and saying “yes” at the altar, then why should we limit them from doing that? Especially, since after getting married, Patrice and Garry wouldn’t have to be given more benefits than their original ones, so that makes the law even more ridiculous. Even though they are wonderful people full of joy, I was incredibly touched by the documentary. At one point I even started to cry – and it was the moment when Patrice was crying as well, so you’ll know which one. Life can be so unfair no matter how positive we stay. But I guess even if we get those well-known lemons, we should make a damn lot of lemonade (or throw the lemons at the people who hurt us, both ideas sound good to me). This documentary is an inspiring story, made in an attractive way, giving you a lot of motivation, but also food for thought. I’m truly amazed and I’m so glad I had to see it. Wishing all people discriminated by the law to stay strong and keep on being themselves!

My rating: 9/10
S.

Silence is not emptiness. “Viktor” (2024)

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directed by Olivier Sarbil
© 2024 Protozoa Pictures. All Rights Reserved.

Since my last post was about the Deaf community, I’ve decided to continue this topic and recommend you one more film. This time, it’s a documentary that caught my attention during a festival and it was the first one I chose to see. Why? Because it tells the story of Viktor Korotovskyi, a Ukrainian man, presenting his everyday life during the Russian invasion of his country. I know that we’ve got many productions about the war happening there, but this one is quite unique because it’s told from the perspective of a deaf person. Viktor is a healthy and hard-working man, who wishes to support his nation and fight for Ukraine, just like other patriots there. However, no matter how much bravery and commitment he has to give, his lack of hearing becomes a significant problem. Perhaps in other jobs it’s manageable to co-work with such barrier, but not in the army. Hearing is extremely important on the battlefield, because each soldier has to be attentive and react as fast as possible, either it’s an order from the officer, an alarm or even a cry for help from another soldier. Even though it seems reasonable, during the documentary you may feel this hurtful injustice. Especially if you empathise with Viktor, who seems to be incredibly frustrated about the whole situation. And then you realise that there’s something worse than losing – it’s not being able to do anything. Despite your motivation and skills, you’re forced to sit and watch. And wait – either of victory or death. I’m aware that the story of Viktor is extreme, because it’s happening during an actual war, but this film should be a lesson to us all about the everyday life of people with different disabilities. We should understand that accessibility is horribly important, even if it’s for the minority. Once again, I totally understand the decision not to recruit a deaf person to be a soldier on the battlefield, because it’s dangerous and irresponsible. Still, adding subtitles to videos is not a big deal, and it already makes a difference. Building a ramp or putting a piece of information about the accessibility of the place? Also not so difficult, yet how helpful! Not rejecting people based on their disabilities but purely based on their actual skills? How simple! If I had to describe this documentary with one word, I’d say “helplessness”. And I believe it’s the most disgusting feeling you may experience. So let’s try not to make others feel this way, shall we? Also, except the story itself, this film is beautiful. I loved all the shots, the camera work, even the black and white pictures (even though I’m not such a fan of it nowadays). In fact, one of the producers is Darren Aronofsky and you can definitely see a pinch of his mind there. Sometimes, I even forgot I was watching a documentary, so if you’re not a fan of classic documentaries, this one should catch your attention. And of course – Slava Ukraini!

My rating: 7/10
S.