Documentaries are sometimes the best way to absorb information. They are able to utilize interviews, archival footage, and narration to construct a story and a claim. A documentary isn't just about documentation and capture; it is about creating an account and showcasing a real-life conflict.
Documentaries can be both entertaining and educational. The budget of a documentary film compared to a Hollywood blockbuster film is much lower. This makes it easier for creators and producers with unique perspectives to create content relating to a field they are passionate about. Here are the very best documentaries on Prime Video that either relate to or inspire social justice.
8 Human Flow (2017)
Human Flow is a 2017 documentary directed by Ai Weiwei, a director also known for their films Vivos and The Rest. This film takes a look at the refugee crisis on a worldwide scale. The documentary approaches the situation from a micro and macro level by focusing on specific examples of displaced people while simultaneously capturing and properly displaying the scale of the issue. The film is shot over the course of a year and shows people from over 23 countries. The film urges its viewers to address this issue with love, compassion, and an understanding of those who are different from themselves. Human Flow is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
7 Generation Wealth (2018)
Generation Wealth premiered during opening night at the 2018 Sundance film festival. It is a documentary directed and written by Lauren Greenfield and takes an in-depth look at specific examples of extreme wealth accumulation in America. Lauren Greenfield is also known for directing The Queen of Versailles, The Kingmaker, and Thin. The movie is a great work of documentation and allows its viewers to draw their own conclusions about the situations presented in the film. Find Generation Wealth here on Amazon Prime.
6 Ukraine Is Not a Brothel (2013)
This documentary follows the Ukrainian feminist group, Femen, known for their provocative use of nudity, as they work to build and legitimize their coalition. The captured film spans the course of a year and follows the group through Ukraine, Belarus, and Turkey as they engage in protests and battle the repercussions of their demonstrations. The film is directed by Kitty Green, who worked with the feminist group to promote the film, which premiered at the Venice International Film Festival in 2013. Watch Ukraine Is Not a Brothel here on Amazon Prime.
5 All In: The Fight for Democracy (2020)
Preceding the American 2020 Presidential Election by only a few months, this documentary covers the history and present-day issues of voter suppression. Directors Lisa Cortez and Liz Garbus use the film to inform its viewers of the harsh reality of inaccessible ballot casting. The film features Georgia state representative, Stacey Abrams, who originally did not intend on being a part of the film, but later decided to include her campaign in the story. All In: The Fight for Democracy can be found here on Amazon Prime.
4 Burning (2021)
Amazon Prime Video
This film takes a look at the deadly wild bush fires that took place in Australia throughout 2019 and 2020. Director Eva Orner features victims, activists, and scientists, all in an effort to give a genuine recounting of some of our world's most serious recent wildfires. The film shows the scale of this massive 59 million-acre wildfire by comparing them to the 2020 California wildfires, which covered a still unbelievably sized 4.4 million acres. The documentary features environmentalist Tim Flannery and focuses on the inaction of Prime Minster Scott Morrison in the face of climate catastrophe. Watch Burning here on Amazon Prime.
3 Planet of the Humans (2019)
This documentary takes a critical look at the climate change movement and the progress that has been made toward the existential issue that is climate change. The film is directed by Jeff Gibbs with Micheal Moore as the executive producer. The film has quite the Moore influence and has a similar style to his documentaries. The film follows Jeff Gibbs as he interviews politicians, CEOs, and climate activists. Planet of the Humans is a departure from other Micheal Moore films in its dark tone and pessimistic outlook. The film ultimately received mixed reviews as many disagreed with how green energy was portrayed as a futile effort in the face of climate change. Planet of the Humans is now available on Amazon Prime.
2 I Am Not Your Negro (2016)
Magnolia Pictures
Amazon Studios
This is a 2016 film directed by Raoul Peck and is based on the writings of American author James Baldwin. The documentary specifically focuses on an unfinished book of Baldwin’s, Remember This House, which recounts the personal lives of three of his friends: Medgar Evers, Malcolm X, and Martin Luther King. The documentary uses archival film footage and a beautiful narration by Samuel L. Jackson to paint a picture of race struggles in modern America. The film was nominated for an Academy Award in the category of Best Documentary feature. To watch I Am Not Your Negro, visit Amazon Prime.
1 Blackfish (2013)
Blackfish is directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and details the issues surrounding the captivity of killer whales. The film specifically focuses on Tilikum, a killer whale owned by SeaWorld, who has been involved in the deaths of three individuals. The film recounts the capture of Tilikum off the coast of Iceland and the stress wild-caught orcas must endure. The filmmakers challenged SeaWorld’s claim that captive Orcas have a similar lifespan to those caught in the wild, and they were generally critical to the organization. SeaWorld Entertainment was not involved in the production of the film and claims the film was inaccurate and that the details presented were meant to sensationalize the content. Following the release of the film, SeaWorld saw a decrease in revenue, Southwest Airlines ended its 26-year partnership with the organization, and legislation was proposed and amended to help protect animal welfare. Blackfish can be seen here on Amazon Prime.