5 Documentaries to Watch Online to Expand Your Mind

I am sure we can all admit to wanting that new sofa, needing another grey jumper and lusting after the latest phone. But when we boil it down, do any of these material possessions make us truly happy? Minimalism is a documentary which delves into the lives of families, journalists, scientists, designers and businesspeople who strive to live their best life with less. Not only does this explore how different walks of life have taken on minimalism in their own unique ways, but it also takes a critical look at our current global consumerist culture, and the detrimental effects it has on us as humans and the environment. It will open your eyes to a different way of living, teach you to consider the value of your possessions and make you question, how much of this do I really need?

In a volatile political climate, Knock Down the House follows four Democratic women who decided to run for congress in the 2018 United States elections. Without political experience or corporate money, but with an ambition to make a change and fight back, this documentary captures the highs and lows of these historic moments for the women. It highlights issues of colour, healthcare and insurance, pollution, and the fight for change and equality. With no agenda other than to follow the story, no matter the outcome, Knock Down the House showcases the collective time, effort and sacrifices these women made to fight for their cause and beliefs.

Its title taken from the 13th Amendment, which outlawed slavery, but left one crucial loophole: servitude as a punishment for crime. Ava DuVernay takes a harrowing look at how this clause continues to be abused under the mask of black criminality. She explores the history of racial inequality in the United States under the lens of the ‘war on drugs’ , mass incarcerations and its economic implications at the expense of African-Americans. It clearly highlights America’s racial bias in the legal system in an uncomfortable fashion, which is something everyone from any walk of life should make themselves starkly aware of.

Another sale of cheap furniture, another drug-store producing your favourite brand of make-up at a fraction of the price, another load of recycling shipped off to the unknown. But how are these things so cheap, and at what cost? Broken takes a stark look into 21st century consumerism has meant that through greed indicts cutting products are becoming increasingly dangerous and detrimental to our health and environment. This documentary will make you question the products you buy, your excessive spending habits, your plastic footprint, and address how modern societies negligence to act has cost us more than we could ever realise. Close that ‘mega-sale’ tab and get educated.

In the 1960s, 13 American women successfully underwent the same physiological and psychological testing procedures as NASA’s first male astronauts under a privately funded programme. Following this, further training was halted and the women were denied their opportunity to fly into space; something women did not achieve for a further two decades after. Ever heard of them? We are not surprised. Mercury 13 is a documentary telling these incredible women’s stories and follows their legal battle in 1962, arguing they were denied their opportunities on sexual discrimination grounds. This documentary will highlight the continuing battle women have had to face for equal opportunities and give you a side of history which is so often forgotten.