1
Little Rock Central: 50 Years Later
For the 50th anniversary of Central High School's forced integration, filmmakers Brent and Craig Renaud offer an honest portrait of today's students. Captured over a year, the documentary explores the lives of current Central High students, alongside teachers, administrators, and…
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7.5
Stream on
6
Marley
Music, Documentary
Bob Marley's extraordinary influence on music, history, and social change is unlike anything seen before. Directed by Academy Award winner Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland), MARLEY is the complete story of the musician, revolutionary, and icon, following his…
7.5
7.9
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7
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Straight Outta Hunter's Point
"Straight Outta Hunters Point," the acclaimed hip hop documentary by filmmaker Kevin Epps, offers a powerful look at a community fighting against gentrification. The film details the challenges faced by Hunters Point residents – including job loss, police brutality, and…
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7.8 8
Wodaabe: Herdsmen of the Sun
Herzog’s film focuses on the Wodaabe people of the Sahara and Sahel. It highlights their elaborate courtship displays, often resembling beauty pageants. Young men compete for mates through impressive displays of makeup, posing, and facial expressions.
7.1
7.1
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11
Louie Bluie
Terry Zwigoff's debut film is a delightful documentary about Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong, a little-known country-blues musician and unique visual artist, and the last known black string band performer in the United States. A captivating storyteller and performer, Louie is…
7.5
7.6
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13
Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask
This film explores the life and work of Frantz Fanon, a psychoanalytic theorist and activist who was born in Martinique, studied in Paris, and worked in Algeria. It examines Fanon's theories about identity and race, and follows his involvement in…
7.0
6.5
Stream on
14
Pass The Mic!
This documentary spotlights the overlooked artists at the heart of Latin hip-hop, exploring the genre's history and ongoing struggle for recognition. It offers an intimate look at the artists' creative process, featuring candid interviews with prominent figures like Mellow Man…
6.5
8.9
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17
Scandalize My Name: Stories from the Blacklist
This film explores how the Red Scare, McCarthyism, and blacklisting intersected with the post-World War II fight by African Americans for better opportunities in radio, television, and theater. Starting in Harlem, it examines the impact of Paul Robeson and the…
7.7
8.1
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19
Sound of Torture
In Stockholm, Swedish-Eritrean radio host Meron Estefanos dedicates her weekly program to the hundreds of Eritrean refugees held captive in the Egyptian Sinai Desert. Kidnapped by Bedouins demanding large ransoms, the refugees are traveling to Israel. Meron attempts to help…
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7.7
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23
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The Last Survivor
"The Last Survivor" shares the experiences of people who have survived genocide and are trying to understand the tragedy they endured. These survivors dedicate themselves to educating others and inspiring action against mass atrocities. Their efforts center on raising awareness,…
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7.1
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24
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A Walk to Beautiful
"A Walk to Beautiful" follows five Ethiopian women who have suffered severe childbirth injuries. Rejected by their families and isolated by their communities, they face a lifetime of loneliness and shame. The challenges they overcome and their efforts to find…
6.1
8.1
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27
Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai
This documentary explores the remarkable life of Wangari Maathai, a Kenyan activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. Maathai dedicated her life to empowering her country following decades of colonial rule. Her message is both compassionate and forceful: wealthier nations bear…
6.2
8.0
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31
Where Are You Taking Me?
Filmmaker Kimi Takesue offers a vivid portrait of modern Uganda, showcasing its vibrant mix of high society weddings, busy city life, a rehabilitation center for former child soldiers, and lively nightclubs. Through artful visuals and a thoughtful pace, the film…
6.2
8.3
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34
2 Turntables and a Microphone
Hip-hop legend Jason Mizell, known as Jam Master Jay, is murdered in his Queens studio. Security footage vanishes, witnesses refuse to cooperate, and the case goes cold – until now. *2 Turntables and a Microphone* investigates the unsolved murder of…
5.0
6.2
Stream on
36
Road to the Big Leagues
This documentary explores baseball from a unique perspective, moving from local children playing with stones to the experiences of Dominican major league stars like David Ortiz and Vladimir Guerrero. It offers an uncommon glimpse into the world of "America's Game."
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7.5
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39
Ghosts of Cité Soleil
In the impoverished Cité Soleil slum, President Aristide's most devoted followers wield significant power. The city's five main gang leaders command heavily armed young men known as the Chiméres, President Jean-Bertrand Aristide's secret army. "Ghosts of Cité Soleil" tells the…
7.1
6.9
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45
Tupac Uncensored and Uncut: The Lost Prison Tapes
In an interview framed by the interviewer's statement that it focuses on Tupac as a person, not his legal battles, *Tupac Uncensored and Uncut: The Lost Prison Tapes* presents a raw look at the rapper's world. Featuring an uncut interview…
6.9
7.8
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49
Freestyle: The Art of Rhyme
"Freestyle: the Art of Rhyme" follows the vibrant world of improvisational hip-hop, from local gatherings to major competitions. The film documents this unique art form – where rhymes are created spontaneously – showcasing its energy and history as a modern…
6.9
7.4
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50
Out of Darkness
Out of Darkness is a three-part documentary by director Amadeuz Christ that explores the history of African people, their cultural impact globally, and the factors shaping their present circumstances. The film examines the Nubian/Kushitic origins of Nile Valley Civilization, ancient…
4.0
7.4
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53
Through a Lens Darkly: Black Photographers and the Emergence of a People
This film examines how photography, from its early days in the 1840s, has influenced the identity, dreams, and rise of African Americans from slavery to today. The story unfolds visually over the past 160 years, showing how Black photography became…
6.2
7.1
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54
Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp
"Iceberg Slim: Portrait of a Pimp" chronicles the dramatic life of Chicago's notorious pimp, Iceberg Slim (1918-1992), and his transformation into a celebrated author. He reinvented himself through seven influential books that pioneered Street Literature, offering raw and poetic depictions…
6.2
6.8
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55
How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It)
Melvin Van Peebles was a pioneering Black filmmaker who directly confronted mainstream white narratives in films like "Watermelon Man" and "Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song." This documentary explores Van Peebles’ life and multifaceted career, encompassing not only filmmaking but also writing,…
7.0
7.1
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56
Why We Laugh: Black Comedians on Black Comedy
Directors Robert Townsend and Quincy Newell present a detailed and funny look at the history of African American comedy in America. The program traces its development from early minstrel shows to contemporary HBO specials. It includes interviews with cultural critics…
8.0
7.1 57
Amandla! A Revolution in Four-Part Harmony
While the fight against apartheid in South Africa is well-documented, the crucial role of music in that struggle has been largely overlooked. This documentary by Lee Hirsch explores a fascinating, lesser-known aspect of South Africa's political history, using archival footage,…
6.4
7.4
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59
Jazz on a Summer's Day
Captured at the 1958 Newport Jazz Festival, this documentary blends visuals of the coastal setting with performances and the crowd. The film follows the festival from day into night, showcasing music ranging from improvisational jazz to Gospel. It's a concert…
7.2
7.9
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60
Sweet Micky for President
A famous musician, Pras Michel of the Fugees, returns to Haiti after the 2010 earthquake to support a presidential campaign. He teams up with Michel Martelly, a popular but controversial musician, to challenge a corrupt government and a rigged election…
6.8
7.3
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63
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RasTa: A Soul's Journey
For decades, journalists, academics, and filmmakers have explored the Rastafarian movement, seeking to understand its beginnings and central tenets. *RasTa: A Soul's Journey* follows Donisha Prendergast, granddaughter of Rita and Bob Marley, as she travels to eight countries – the…
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7.6
Stream on
67
Nollywood Babylon
Nollywood, Nigeria's film industry, is now the world's third-largest, a powerful economic and cultural force expanding across Africa and beyond. "Nollywood Babylon" is a documentary exploring the industry's remarkable rise. Fueled by a vibrant 1970s soundtrack of African underground music,…
6.1
6.7
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68
Sun Ra: A Joyful Noise
Documentary, Music
Director Robert Mugge offers a close look at Sun Ra, a celebrated jazz musician famous for his experimental music and unconventional shows. Shot in cities like Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Washington D.C., this 60-minute film follows Sun Ra through public and…
6.2
7.1
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73
Earth Made of Glass
Set in post-genocide Rwanda, this film follows a journey toward understanding and reconciliation. Director Deborah Scranton examines the complexities of achieving peace after immense violence, exploring themes of justice, accountability, and the path to breaking the cycle of retribution. The…
6.2
8.1
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75
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The Colonial Misunderstanding
"The Colonial Misunderstanding," by Jean-Marie Teno, examines the complicated and troubling connection between European colonization and Christian missionaries in Africa. The film argues that Christian evangelism served as a precursor to European colonialism on the continent, and continues to shape…
5.4
7.0
Stream on
77
Bus 174
Documentary, Crime
This documentary recounts the events of June 12th, 2000, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, when a young man hijacked bus 174, threatening to harm the passengers. The incident, broadcast live across Brazilian television, became a deeply disturbing portrayal of violence…
7.3
7.8 
79
The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975
Documentary, History
This film explores the development of the Black Power Movement in America between 1967 and 1975. Using footage captured by Swedish journalists, it documents the movement's key figures: Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, and other prominent…
7.6
7.6
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80
Serving Life
SERVING LIFE follows a unique hospice program within a maximum-security prison. In this extraordinary setting, inmates who have committed serious crimes provide care for dying fellow prisoners. Narrated and executive produced by Forest Whitaker, an Academy Award winner, the film…
5.3
8.0 
82
Boy 23: The Forgotten Boys of Brazil
The film follows historian Sidney Aguilar as he investigates the discovery of Nazi swastika-marked bricks in São Paulo. His research uncovers a disturbing truth: during the 1930s, fifty Black and mixed-race boys were forcibly taken from an orphanage in Rio…
7.7
7.9
Stream on
85
Spies of Mississippi
*Spies of Mississippi* reveals a hidden history: a secret spy agency created by the state of Mississippi to uphold segregation and white supremacy. Operating from an office within the State Capitol, this anti-civil rights organization received public funding and broad…
7.3
7.3
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86
Wesley Willis: The Daddy of Rock 'n' Roll
This documentary follows the life of Wesley Willis, a Chicago artist and musician who passed away at the age of 40. Filmmaker Daniel Bitton chronicles Willis's daily life as he navigates the city, from bus rides and interactions with people…
7.2
7.1
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88
No poster
LaLee's Kin: The Legacy of Cotton
"LaLee's Kin" is a poignant documentary that reveals the severe poverty affecting an African-American family and their Mississippi Delta school district. The film intimately follows LaLee Wallace, a great-grandmother battling hardship, and Reggie Barnes, the superintendent of the struggling West…
6.0
7.6 
94
American Promise
In 1999, Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson documented their five-year-old son Idris and his friend Seun as they began kindergarten at the Dalton School, a private institution actively working to diversify its student population. The filmmakers followed both boys for…
6.7
7.1
Stream on
97
80 Blocks from Tiffany's
Documentary, Crime
This 1979 documentary offers a realistic look at life in the South Bronx, following two rival gangs: the Savage Skulls, mostly African American, and the Savage Nomads, primarily Puerto Rican. The film avoids sensationalism, instead presenting an honest portrayal of…
6.4
7.5 
