Movies Similar to Enlighten Up! (2008)
Who Killed the Electric Car?
Documentary
In 1996, electric cars first appeared on California roads. They were quiet, fast, and emitted no exhaust, running entirely on electricity. Ten years later, they were all destroyed.
7.2
7.6
The U.S. vs. John Lennon
Documentary
This documentary explores John Lennon's life, specifically his evolution from musician to prominent anti-war activist.
6.7
7.3
Man on Wire
Documentary
In 1974, French high-wire artist Philippe Petit performed an illegal walk between the New York World Trade Center towers, then the tallest buildings in the world. He spent nearly an hour on…
7.4
7.7
Zeitgeist: Moving Forward
Documentary
This film presents an argument for a fundamental shift away from the current global economic system. It focuses on the essential, practical needs for human and societal survival, looking beyond cultural differences…
7.1
8.1
The Devil and Daniel Johnston
Documentary, Music
This 2005 documentary follows the life of Daniel Johnston, a singer, songwriter, and artist who lived with manic depression. It explores his life from childhood to the present, focusing on how his…
7.7
7.9
24 City
Drama, Documentary
A state-owned aeronautics munitions factory in downtown Chengdu, China, is being demolished to make way for a luxury apartment building. Director Jia Zhangke interviews those connected to the factory – former workers,…
7.0
7.1
No End in Sight
Documentary
This film examines the chaotic aftermath of the Iraq War, focusing on critical decisions made in the spring of 2003 after Saddam Hussein's removal. It details the backgrounds of those in power…
7.8
8.2
Dogtown and Z-Boys
Documentary
This acclaimed and exciting story follows a group of overlooked teenagers who transformed skateboarding and influenced the culture of today's extreme sports. Using vintage skateboarding footage, exclusive interviews, and a powerful rock…
7.0
7.6
The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia
Documentary
"The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia," produced by Johnny Knoxville and Jeff Tremaine for MTV and Dickhouse Productions, documents Jesco White, a famous outlaw, and his unusual family in the…
6.7
7.1
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired
Documentary
This film explores the public scandal and personal heartbreak that prompted acclaimed director Roman Polanski to leave the United States.
6.3
7.2
Lumière & Company
Drama, Documentary
Forty acclaimed directors worldwide took on a challenge: make a short film using the original 1895 Lumière Cinematographe, under conditions mirroring the early days of cinema. They faced strict rules: films had…
6.2
6.8
Night and Fog
Documentary, History
Alain Resnais's documentary offers a disturbing look at the worst of human history, detailing the shocking events within Adolf Hitler's concentration camps. The film highlights the strength and bravery of those who…
8.2
8.6
Bukowski: Born Into This
Documentary
John Dullaghan's documentary, *Bukowski: Born Into This*, offers a personal look at the controversial poet alongside an examination of his often troubled life. The film combines archival footage of Bukowski's poetry readings…
6.7
7.8
Cinemania
Documentary
This documentary explores the vibrant world of dedicated movie lovers in New York City. It follows five people deeply passionate about film, who watch two to five movies daily – and hundreds,…
6.8
7.1
Standing in the Shadows of Motown
Documentary, Music
In 1959, Berry Gordy Jr. assembled Detroit's finest jazz and blues musicians to record for his new record company. For fourteen years, they provided the essential rhythm behind Motown's biggest hits. By…
6.9
7.8
Into Great Silence
Documentary
This film offers a personal look at the daily routines of Carthusian monks living in the Grande Chartreuse, nestled in the French Alps. The project was first suggested to the monks in…
6.8
7.3
The White Stripes: Under Great White Northern Lights
Documentary, Music
In 2007, the iconic American duo White Stripes embarked on a Canadian tour, performing in unconventional locations like buses and cafes, as well as for Native American elders. Music video director Emmett…
7.4
8.0
Fuel
High oil prices, climate change, and a constant need for energy are defining challenges for today's world. The film reveals surprising links between the car industry, the oil industry, and the government.…
7.2
7.3
The Order of Myths
The 2007 Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile, Alabama, are vibrant yet fraught with underlying tensions. The film follows a group of people as they navigate parades and festivities, revealing a deeper reality…
6.0
6.8
Up the Yangtze
Near the Three Gorges Dam on the Yangtze River, a group of young people find work on a cruise ship. There, they face the challenges of increasing floodwaters and a rapidly transforming…
7.3
7.5
American Swing
This film tells the story of Plato's Retreat, a popular nightclub in 1970s New York City. It follows the club's journey from its beginnings to its eventual decline.
4.9
6.1
Macheads
This film examines the intense devotion to Apple products, including conversations with passionate Apple users and members of the Apple enthusiast community.
5.6
5.0
Fados
This film presents a collection of fado performances from Lisbon, Portugal. The performances highlight the many different styles and emotions within this traditional musical genre.
7.0
7.1
Nobody Wants Your Film
Director Peter Judson's semi-fictional story offers an intimate look at the world of independent filmmaking, showcasing the everyday challenges and joys involved in making a movie. The film combines footage from a…
1.5
6.6
Popatopolis
This documentary profiles Jim Wynorski, a prolific director known as the "B Movie Giant," as he attempts to make a feature film in just three days. Having directed seventy features but never…
6.4
7.0Love Alien
On the eve of his thirtieth birthday, a filmmaker confronts his lifelong struggle with love. LOVE ALIEN is his personal, unconventional exploration of this universal challenge. He documents his search for understanding…
0.0
6.7
VHS Massacre: Cult Films and the Decline of Physical Media
This documentary traces the history of physical film formats, from the beginning of cinema through the video store boom and into the age of digital media, with a focus on B-movies and…
5.3
5.7
Brothers at War
BROTHERS AT WAR is an intimate portrait of an American family navigating a difficult period. Jake Rademacher seeks to understand the experiences, sacrifices, and motivations of his two brothers serving in Iraq.…
5.0
6.5
Outrage
This film exposes the hypocrisy of American politicians who hide their true sexualities while actively working to pass laws that harm LGBTQ+ people.
6.1
7.5
The Horse Boy
Filmmaker Michel Orion Scott documents Rupert Isaacson and Kristin Neff's journey to understand their child's autism. The couple travels to remote locations seeking healing for their son and for themselves in unexpected…
6.5
7.2
Neither Old Nor Traitors
Pierre Carles and Georges Minangoy travel to meet with former French and Catalan partisans who were involved in the anarchist resistance against Franco's regime during the 1970s.
6.3
6.9
Pixies: Gouge
Gouge is a documentary film that chronicles the history of The Pixies. It includes interviews with Bono, David Bowie, Thom Yorke (Radiohead), Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead), Graham Coxon (Blur), Alex James (Blur), Fran…
7.3
8.1
Suicide Killers
This documentary explores the psychological factors behind suicide bombing, aiming to understand the motivations of those who carry out these attacks.
7.0
6.4
Sir! No Sir!
"Sir! No Sir!" is a documentary film exploring the anti-war movement among U.S. soldiers during the Vietnam War. The film features interviews with Vietnam veterans detailing their reasons for protesting the war,…
6.7
7.6
8: The Mormon Proposition
Filmmaker Reed Cowan, a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, investigates the church's extensive, nationwide campaign against the legalization of same-sex marriage. The film details efforts like…
5.5
7.1
Flag Wars
Over four years, this documentary examines the effects of gentrification as predominantly white gay professionals relocate to a predominantly Black, working-class neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio.
4.1
7.1
Palestine Blues
This film explores the impact of the Israeli Security Wall and settlement growth on Palestinian farming communities in the West Bank and Gaza, and the resulting grassroots resistance. It follows a journey…
0.0
6.6
Billy the Kid
In Jennifer Venditti's thought-provoking coming-of-age story, 15-year-old Billy describes himself as simply "different in the mind." The film follows Billy as he cycles through the quiet streets of a Maine town, navigating…
6.3
7.3
The Dungeon Masters
"The Dungeon Masters" looks at the world of role-playing games, especially Dungeons & Dragons, a hobby that has given players a chance to step into fantastical worlds for over 30 years. In…
5.1
6.0High School Record
Four socially awkward 17-year-olds navigate the trials of their senior year. They experience typical high school embarrassment: difficult jobs, failed romantic encounters, outlandish fashion choices, unconventional teachers, and run-ins with the law.…
2.5
6.1
Only When I Dance
This documentary follows two Black children from a Brazilian favela who challenge the traditional image of ballet as an exclusive art form. Facing prejudice and skepticism, they both pursue their dreams of…
6.3
6.8
Old Partner
In the Korean countryside, an aging farmer spends his final years alongside his wife and a devoted ox.
7.7
7.5
2012: Time for Change
2012: Time For Change is a documentary exploring how we can shift from an unsustainable society to one that regenerates the planet. It proposes this transformation requires both individual and collective changes…
6.1
6.9
BEAN
Alana and Lori, two young women seeking connection on Tinder, unexpectedly find a profound bond. Soon after meeting, Lori discovers Alana's battle with Lupus and her years-long wait for a kidney transplant.…
0.5
8.3
My Country, My Country
The film centers on a Sunni Arab doctor who decides to run for office in the early 2005 Iraqi elections.
6.9
7.0Showboy
Christian Taylor, a writer for the popular TV show *Six Feet Under*, is the subject of a profile by a British documentary team. Unbeknownst to him, the crew overhears his dismissal from…
3.4
5.6
The Lottery
Four children participate in a lottery with a life-changing prize: admission to one of New York's top schools. "The Lottery" examines the challenges facing public education and argues that every child deserves…
5.8
6.9
Operation Filmmaker
In the aftermath of the 2003 Baghdad invasion, Muthana Mohmed, a promising film student, speaks to an American television audience from the ruins of his city's film school. He recounts how his…
6.5
7.0
Instrument
Over a decade (1987-1998), this documentary follows the band Fugazi through concert footage and interviews with the band and their fans. Director Jem Cohen's connection to Fugazi's Ian MacKaye dates back to…
6.9
7.8
Party Monster: The Shockumentary
This is the story of Michael Alig, a young man from the Midwest who dreamed of emulating Andy Warhol. He rapidly became New York's leading party promoter and the central figure among…
6.2
7.1
Divine Horsemen: The Living Gods of Haiti
Filmed in Haiti between 1947 and 1951, this personal look at Voudoun dances and ceremonies was captured by Maya Deren. The footage, left unedited by Deren herself, was assembled into this version…
6.2
6.6
Big Time
Tom Waits brings his signature humor to a strange and original film, guiding viewers through a musical experience. His jazzy, quirky, and bluesy songs are presented in unexpected ways.
7.3
8.0
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…
7.2
7.9
The Feast of the Chicken
A team of anthropologists from Sub-Saharan Africa documents the traditions and social norms of the people living in Upper Austria. Employing methods common to European and American anthropologists studying non-Western cultures, they…
7.9
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