Documentaries aren’t always stuffy educational exercises made solely for the cerebral enjoyment of academia (thereby boring the pants off anyone who doesn’t have a keen interest in sedimentary rock or the mating rituals of the Galapagos vampire finch).
In fact, many documentary projects can be far more daring and entertaining than the latest new releases down at the local DVD store. Here is a handful of worthy docos, personally perused and approved by Voodoo.
Sick -the Life and Death of Bob Flanagan, Supermasochist
Directed by Kirby Dick 1997
Bob Flanagan – an American writer, poet, performance artist and BDSM practitioner who suffered from and later died of cystic fibrosis – is the subject of this graphic yet celebratory study of a guy who pushed everything to its limits. If you ever wanted to see a man nail his own penis to a plank of wood, then this is the film for you!
Sex -The Annabel Chong Story
Directed by Gough Lewis 2000
A confronting look at the professional life of one of porn’s most ‘prolific’ and troubled starlets.
Articulate and seemingly well-educated, Annabel Chong's pro-feminist stance doesn't exactly sit well with her chosen profession. She also has some serious baggage to lug around, no doubt the result of her strict Catholic upbringing in ultra-conservative Singapore and being the subject of a gang rape at a very young age.
Unknown White Male
Directed by Rupert Murray 2005
Doug Bruce's world is turned upside down when he is suddenly struck down with total amnesia and has no recollection of who or where he is. Clever hoax or tragic truth? Unknown White Male is hypnotic viewing as we watch Doug slowly piece his life together and emerge as a person entirely different from the man he was before.
Grizzly Man
Directed by Werner Herzog 2005
German auteur Werner Herzog turns his hand to documentary filmmaking with this wrenching ode to the life and terrifying death of eco-warrior Timothy Treadwell. Living alone in the Alaskan wilderness for months on end, the eccentric Treadwell filmed his interactions with the giant Alaskan grizzly bears in the hopes of exposing their plight to the rest of the world, only to fall victim to the creatures he tried so hard to protect.
Soundtrack to War
Directed by George Gittoes 2005
Aussie photographer and artist George Gittoes bypassed the U.S. military’s media lockdown on the war in Iraq to capture a disturbing and sometimes-humorous snapshot of modern war. Gittoes interviewed American soldiers and Iraqi citizens, exploring the role of music both on and off the battlefield.
Swastika
Directed by Philippe Mora 1974
This hard to find, critically-acclaimed doco was pieced together entirely by using Nazi propaganda reels produced from 1933 to 1939. Swastika is a frightening portrait of the banality of evil, offering a fascinating insight into the hearts and minds of a country swept up in apocalyptic fanaticism.
Gulpilil - One Red Blood
Directed by Darlene Johnson 2002
A rare behind-the-scenes look at the private and professional life of one of Australia’ living treasures, actor David Gulpilil. Dividing his time between his home in Arnhem Land and the glitzy world of red carpet premieres, Gulpilil has remained a man of quiet dignity, humour and amazing talent.
Aileen Wournos - The Selling of a Serial Killer
Directed by Nick Broomfield 1992
A twisted tale of murder and money, Broomfield’s 1992 doco still has the power to confound and anger. Aileen Wournos was America’s most prolific female serial killer, but it is the exploitation and betrayal at the hands of her so-called adoptive mother and sleazeball defence lawyer that really fascinates.