Last year, the internet’s obsession with Netflix grew, coining the term “Netflix and chill.” Keeping in mind that you are reading this article from a social justice centered magazine, it seems fitting that I am about to give you a list of documentaries for you and bae to watch the next time you “Netflix and chill.”
1. Miss Representation is a documentary that focuses on the portrayal of women in the media and how it correlates to the amount of women in leadership roles, with commentary from the likes of Hillary Clinton and Gloria Steinem. This documentary conveys an important idea with poor execution. The point the documentary strives to get across is powerful, but the documentary focuses on white women, using women of color only as supporting characters.
2. After Tiller documents the work of the only four doctors in America that perform late-term abortions following the murder of physician George Tiller. The documentary aims to destroy the demonization of abortions, those who perform them and those who receive them, rather than answer the question: pro-life or pro-choice?
3. Dark Girls is a beautiful film that explores colorism within the African American community. The documentary takes a deeper look at internalized racism and self esteem issues that young girls with dark skin face, as well as why the world is so hesitant to talk about colorism. Though the film has been criticized by African American community, it is without a doubt worth the watch.
4. Girl Rising documents the lives of nine girls from nine different countries, all facing different cultural and societal struggles with a fierce desire for education. The film sheds light upon the millions of children who are not receiving education, and strives to change the way that the world values girls. Huffington Post calls Girl Rising “the most powerful film you’ll see this year.”
5. Do I Sound Gay? follows journalist David Thrope as he enlists the help of professionals to discover what it is that makes a person “sound gay”. The documentary is extremely thought provoking, seeing as there has never really been anything like it before. The film is lighthearted, taking on lots of big issues in a way that does not overwhelm the audience.
6. #chicagoGirl: The Social Network Takes On A Dictator tells the story of nineteen year old Ala’a from the suburbs of Chicago, who is running a revolution against the Syrian government through over the internet. Ala’a has received death threats from the Syrian Regime and is on the country’s Watch List, yet she still continues to help organize protests and spread awareness about the government’s injustices against their own citizens through her multiple social media platforms.
7. Last but not least, Half the Sky. Though the documentary has been removed from Netflix, it remains one of the most powerful ones to date. The two part documentary based on the book by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn follows the couple as they travel with various celebrities to poverty struck countries to document the struggles women face. Sex trafficking, FGM and other forms of gender-based violence are explained, touching the audience in intimate ways. Many intersectional feminists will credit this documentary as their introduction to social justice.
Next time you and bae don’t know what to watch, try checking out one of these documentaries to educate yourselves on these real world issues.
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