There comes a time in everyone's lives when they have to face the fact that the government isn't always interested in doing what's best for the people. And when that time comes, the only course of action is becoming as informed as you possibly can. Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to politics, which is more about lies than policy at this point. In our current political environment, being informed is more important than ever. Lucky for us movie lovers, there are movies for that. Here are 17 political documentaries on Netflix to keep you informed of current events, and of the history that brought us here.
Politics change constantly, so political documentaries tend to feel somewhat dated no matter how recently they've been released. So if you're looking for a documentary that will tell you what's going on in the world today, you're going to be disappointed. That said, even documentaries about politics from 50 years ago offer insights into the state of politics today. It's sad, I know, but it turns out history teachers were right when they said you can't understand the present without understanding the past. So it is in that spirit that I give you this definitive list of 17 political documentaries on Netflix that will help you stay informed.
1'Oliver Stone's Untold History Of The United States'
Learn everything you forgot from AP-US History, and more, with Oliver Stone's special docuseries The Untold History of the United States.
2'Inside Job'
It's been close to 10 years since the 2008 financial crisis, but it's safe to say it's still a huge influence on politics around the world. Inside Job will teach you more about what caused the crisis, and, hopefully, how we could stop history from repeating again.
3'Killswitch'
The Internet seems apolitical, but it's definitely not. And you're going to want to know about how politics and the internet intertwine.
4'Requiem For The American Dream'
Hear from noted thinker Noam Chomsky on the state of the world. Reqium for the American Dream explores Chomsky's view of the consolidation of wealth and power in America.
5'Silenced'
Whistleblowers will always be a heated topic of political debate, and Silenced offers a look into how whistleblowing has changed post-9/11.
6'Trapped'
Trapped examines the anti-abortion laws popping up all over the country.
7'Street Fight'
Distressed about the nature of nation-wide politics? You can be sad about local politics too after watching Street Fight.
8'Citizen Koch'
The Koch brothers are huge players in today's political climate. If that name doesn't sound familiar to you, watch Citizen Koch to find out why it really should.
9'13th'
Ava DuVernay's 13th is a must-watch no matter what social-political leaning you may have, or what issues you feel passionate about.
10'We're Not Broke'
The realities of the American economy are complicated and confusing. We're Not Broke doesn't necessarily make things simple, but it sure does clear up a few things.
11'Damnation'
When's the last time you thought about the use of dams in America? Never? Well, then Damnation is for you.
12'Pervert Park'
It sounds uncomfortable, but learning about the lives of sex offenders in Pervert Park will force you to look at the American justice system with a new lens.
13'The Culture High'
Get both sides of the debate on the legalization of marijuana in The Culture High.
14'My Son The Jihadi'
The question of how people become radicalized is on the tip of everyone's tongue these days. My Son the Jihadi explores this notion.
15'Mitt'
Ever wonder what it's like to run for president? Look no further.
16'Putin's Hidden Treasure'
Putin's Hidden Treasure attempts to unearth the truth behind Vladimir Putin's finances. It will be a depressing watch, but a necessary one considering current events.
17'How To Survive A Plague'
How to Survive a Plague is (hopefully) a cautionary tale about how the government can, with the stroke of a pen and a deal with pharmaceutical companies, slow down medical science and essentially sentence people to death.
None of these political documentaries on Netflix will help you understand everything about the time we're living in, but more information is always better than none.
