The student life can sometimes mean having extra time on your hands. You're not always going to be in lectures and you're not always going to be studying. And you can't always be going-out and spending time with friends.
With that in mind, here are 10 documentaries that you will surely appreciate learning about. While there are great films out there, on Netflix, DVDs etc., these viewing choices are ones that can get you thinking, get you informed and open your mind.
1) The Fog of War (2003)
A phenomenal piece that is not to be missed, The Fog of War is a compelling journey through some of the most provocative periods in 20th Century political history with the man who was involved in many of them: Robert S McNamara. US Secretary of Defense under presidents Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon, McNamara goes into great detail about events before and during his career working for the above US Presidents. Highly informative, often chilling and totally unforgettable.
2) Grizzly Man (2005)
A potent portrait of the reality of the natural world, Grizzly Man is also a poetic attempt to understand the late Timothy Treadwell. A grizzly bear activist, Treadwell died as a result of an attack from one of these animals whilst observing them in their natural habitat. This doc' knits together clips from Treadwell's lengthy visual documentations of these creatures, creating a unique film-within-a film viewing experience. Directed by the legendary Werner Herzog, this is a profound documentary that works on many different levels.
Another insight into man's relationship with wild creatures, Blackfish is a tense and consistently startling 83 minute documentary. The shocking and disconcerting elements that are contained within killer whale Tilikum's story of capture and captivity at SeaWorld leave a huge impression, underlining the need for effective measures to protect our wildlife. What also stands-out though is the magnificent beauty and intelligence of killer whales, producing an affecting film to move you and deepen your understanding and appreciation of these incredible mammals.
4) When We Were Kings (1996)
Nothing can get you pumped-up quite like The Greatest, Muhammad Ali. And in this famous movie, we get it all: the speeches, the shuffles, the behind-the-scenes look, “The Rumble In The Jungle”. A definitive doc', When We Were Kings captures the feeling of surrounding events in the US at the time, shedding light on the significance and resonance of Ali's career at this stage in his life and the impact he has had on society as a whole.
5) Koyaanisqatsi (1982)
A seamless filmic canvas that threads together a wave of glorious images, Koyaanisqatsi takes from the most exotic reaches of the natural world to the concrete and steel contours of the city-scape. No interviews or voice-overs in this one. No actual narrative either. It's simply a rejuvenating visual ride across the globe accompanied by a sterling Philip Glass score that only makes the trip even more exhilarating. It has a point to make though. So be prepared to question, contemplate and comprehend.
6) Room 237 (2012)
This is where things get a little crazy. Largely based around a gathering of interviews with unseen subjects about horror classic The Shining, Room 237 is a strange and dizzying web of thoughts, theories and appraisals offered by fans of the 1980 Kubrick master-work. Loaded with striking subject matter that ranges from Moon landing conspiracies to World War 2, and illustrated by excerpts from The Shining itself, this may not always be to everyone's taste, but it's sure to get a reaction. Make sure you're sitting down, strapped-in and plugged-in, because this one takes you to places inside a film you never thought you knew.
7) The Last Gladiators (2011)
A documentary that hits as hard as the fists of its subject Chris “Knuckles” Nilan, The Last Gladiators is an unflinching look at the life and experiences of a professional ice-hockey enforcer- players noted for their violent contribution on the ice to their respective team. A man whose opponent in his battles included himself as much as any rival player, Nilan's story is well-told and soberingly presented, and actually leaves us with a strong message about the true cost of violence.
8) The Propaganda Game (2015)
Certainly, one to get you thinking, The Propaganda Game is compulsively fascinating. It concerns the trip made by a filmmaker into North Korea and gives us an insight into this country that we hear a lot about but we do not see as much of. The Propaganda Game really makes you question what you see and what you have been told, and the possibility that there could be falsehoods told on all sides is hard to ignore. This intriguing film takes something surrounded by controversies and mysteries and only prompts us to ask more questions.
9) The Corporation (2003)
There was Super Size Me. There was Fahrenheit 9/11. There was The Corporation. The early-mid 2000s saw some seriously fiery doc's all sounding the alarm during a highly-charged political era. The Corporation stands as an almost cast-iron, all-encompassing case against the seemingly ubiquitous power wielded by big business and corporations. Often unsettling, The Corporation presents you with so many facts and convincing arguments that it will undeniably shape your perception on what is such a huge and intrinsic part of our modern way of life.
Delving into the kind of struggle for success and contentment that we all face from time to time, Anvil is one of those films that helps you regain a little focus. It's also pretty touching, too. Join director Sacha Gervasi as he follows metal band Anvil in their attempts to re-ignite their career. Cash shortages, poor attendance at gigs and missing their trains en-route to concerts are just some of the cringe-inducing stumbling blocks the band encounter in a struggle that you can't help but cheer them on in fighting.
Student Accommodation in Birmingham
Looking ahead to choosing ideal student housing, your search for the right Birmingham student accommodation is helped by Selly Oak-based letting agents Unihousing. Affordably priced, Unihousing's range of student accommodation is unmistakeably practical and convenient, whilst also allowing you to enjoy the kind of relaxed and comfortable lifestyle that you would like to have as a student tenant.
Able to offer both high-standard student studios and houses to share with a group of friends, Unihousing's properties are equipped with central, heating, showers as well as all of the furnishings that are necessary for modern-day student living. A quick walk from the University of Birmingham Edgbaston campus and various public transport links, the Selly Oak locations of Unihousing's student accommodations also give you easy access to the shops, supermarkets and amenities that you need access to, plus the pubs, clubs and restaurants that you want access to.
Get in touch with Unihousing today and find out what we can do for you!!
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