In celebration of Raindance’s upcoming Documentary Courses in particular the Documentary foundation certificate course starting on Wednesday September 10th, we have complied a list of some of the world’s best truth seekers.
Louis Theroux
The son of the great American Travel writer Paul Theroux, Louis has forged an independent path for himself in the documentary world and has proved himself as one of the forerunners of documentary making today. He has interviewed the much-loathed Pastor Phelps, Porn Stars, Ultra Zionists and Jimmy Savile.
Below is a compilation of some of the oddest moments that Louis has captured, and trust me – he has had more than his fair share.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh8GNuKtLrk
Sir David Attenborough
Who could forget the British treasure David Attenborough? He has more swagger than everyone at a P. Diddy yacht party combined.
Here he is below getting exciting about dung beetles and throwing in some odd sound effects for good measure. Classic Attenborough.
Michael Moore
He first made waves with Bowling for Columbine and made a significant impact on the way that American’s were able to represent and critique themselves. He continued this fierce streak with the highest-grossing documentary of all time and winner of the Palme d’Or, Fahrenheit 9/11.
Here he is below making a rather confrontational speech at the non-controversy loving Academy Awards in 2003
Prof. Brian Cox
A collection of pretty actresses have been reported as saying that their looks hinder them from gaining serious roles by various publications such as the ultimate truth-circulator, The Daily Mail.
And then came along Professor Brian Cox whose greatest achievement to date was disproving this twaddle. With his shiny-hair, undeniably symmetrical face and school-boy swagger, he took the documentary world by storm. Proving that a pretty face can’t hold you back, (Give it up, Biel.)
The Vice Team
The team at Vice have been creating powerful documentaries for some time now. Their recipe of low-key presenters blended into some of the worlds most chaotic and unusual locations, prove that Vice are at the forefront of the documentary industry. They make online content that covers a massive sprawl of the globe and its inhabitants, varying from Giants in Iceland to bottom implant enthusiasts in South America.
At the helm of the powerhouse media company is Shane Smith; in the link below you can view his time in Liberia with some Cannibal Warlords, one of whom names himself General Butt Naked.
Admittedly, there is a lack of diversity in the above list, however, this does not detract from their brilliance. Below are some documentaries from more varied filmmakers that have shown a remarkable aptitude for documentary making from a variety of backgrounds. However, they are yet to make it into the realm of Giants.
Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s Black Fish.
Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell.
Amy Berg’s West of Memphis.
Add your suggestions below….
