KARACHI: Watching documentaries can be pretty intense given that the content and characters are all real and they don’t necessarily provide you the escape that fictional cinema does. However, the following documentaries will make you a true believer in the genre.
1) Among the Believers
A must-watch for all Pakistanis about the grim realities that the country is facing and a plague that it has never really been able to get rid of.
2) Mostly Sunny
Based on the life of Karanjit Kaur Vohra, better known as Sunny Leone, Mostly Sunny profiles the life of the former porn star. Watch how she went from living in a small town of Ontario, Canada, to being named Penthouse Pet of the Year (2003) to a reality TV star and finally became India’s highest internet searched star. Not convinced? Watch the promo. For the record, we love Sunny.
3) Going Clear: Scientology and the prison of belief
Interested in finding out about cults? This documentary is your calling. The documentary tells the horrifying experiences of ex-members. Going Clear literally stays true to its title and provides a total expose on the church of Scientology.
Spoiler: Tom Cruise is not who you think he is. Watch the promo and stream it now!
4) Abstract: The art of design
A visual treat for all artists. If you’re an illustrator, footwear designer, stage designer, architect, graphic designer, automotive designer, photographer, and interior designer, Abstract is for you since it covers their process extensively. So, if you’ve hit a roadblock with your process, watch this documentary for some motivation.
5) India’s Daughter
A haunting account of the gang rape of a 23-year-old medical student in Delhi that shook the world, India’s Daughter will give you goosebumps as you begin to realise the flawed value system prevalent in South Asia.
6) The Jinx
This docu-series follows the bizarre story of New Yorker Robert Durst and his ex-wife who’s been missing for two decades. The Jinx is a must-watch for mystery buffs and its essential to watch till the end of the series. You’ll thank us later.
7) The Act of Killing
This documentary was directed by Joshua Oppenheimer who is possibly one of the most celebrated documentary filmmakers of our time. Secondly, it rehashes details of the mass executions of accused communists in Indonesia by talking to those involved in these killings. This is an incredibly hard but necessary film to watch.
8) Pakistan’s Hidden Shame
This documentary is an eye-opener for all those who think bach baazi and pedophilia are unheard of in Pakistan. Again, hard to watch. But you shouldn’t miss it.
9) These Birds Walk
Based on the life of wayward street children whom the late humanitarian Abdul Sattar Edhi took under his wing, the documentary follows their journey as they make their way back home.
10) Dear Zachary
If you want to shed some tears then Dear Zachary should be on your watch list. What was going to be a touching gift by Director Kurt Kuenne to his best friend, Andrew, soon turned into a story about a murder case. Kuenne then continued working on the film to provide Andrew’s son with an opportunity to know his father. Enough spoilers. Watch the trailer.
How does she do it and can we pull it off?
Join us in celebrating these incredible women who are crushing it in life and we're crushing…
Yea, we’re trying to make a point. WILL YOU GET IT?