What Documentaries Do You Recommend?

[bizarre_eye@Cult Labs]

Originally Posted by Nordicdusk

Cheers B_E they all sound like a must watch especially Las Hurdes.

Las Hurdes is certainly to an acquired taste... however, if you are you familiar with the surreal nature of some of Bunuel's work then you should take this in your stride.

[Nordicdusk]

I watched I Think We're Alone Now and Exit Through The Gift Shop last night.

The Tiffany Doc was just tragic and from seeing some of her. Other fans at the beach gig it would seem like it was not just the two main people in the doc are a tad obsessed with her. I love her down to her bone marrow was a line that set the tone early on for me.

The Banksy doc was a great and very interesting watch. You gotta hand it to the French guy he seems to have made it big with his lack of artistic skill or know how even if he his just ripping everyone else's art off.

[Jinx_Barkman]

Originally Posted by Nordicdusk

Any recommendations for some creepy docs not just horror related but documentaries that really stick with you.

Lots of good suggestions already here. I'll suggest a few that, while not necessarily creepy, will certainly make their presence felt long after your initial viewing.

Night And Fog, 1955

A short doc that examines Nazi death camps with no restraint for depicting the horrors that occurred there.

Dark Days, 2000

This is about a community of homeless people living in the underground abandoned train tunnels in NYC. Very revealing and often evokes feeling of empathy.

Man On Wire, 2008

This documentary goes into great detail in chronicling Philippe Petit's dangerous 1974 World Trade Center high wire stunt from the preparations to the actual execution of the stunt itself. I still cannot believe how he managed to pull it off.



I have also heard good things about Titicut Follies but I haven't had the chance to give it a look.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by demonknight

The Grim Sleeper, directed by Nick Broomfield; I think, but don't quote me.

Sounds good, has this had a release yet??

[Nordicdusk]

Originally Posted by Jinx_Barkman

Lots of good suggestions already here. I'll suggest a few that, while not necessarily creepy, will certainly make their presence felt long after your initial viewing.

Night And Fog, 1955

A short doc that examines Nazi death camps with no restraint for depicting the horrors that occurred there.

Dark Days, 2000

This is about a community of homeless people living in the underground abandoned train tunnels in NYC. Very revealing and often evokes feeling of empathy.

Man On Wire, 2008

This documentary goes into great detail in chronicling Philippe Petit's dangerous 1974 World Trade Center high wire stunt from the preparations to the actual execution of the stunt itself. I still cannot believe how he managed to pull it off.



I have also heard good things about Titicut Follies but I haven't had the chance to give it a look.

Is Titicut Follies about the criminally insane.

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by Nordicdusk

Is Titicut Follies about the criminally insane.

Sort of, it is more about the systematic abuse of patients.

[Nordicdusk]

Originally Posted by Make Them Die Slowly

Sort of, it is more about the systematic abuse of patients.

Is it a hard watch?

[Make Them Die Slowly]

Originally Posted by Nordicdusk

Is it a hard watch?

Sounds it from what I just read about it. I'm now not sure if I have seen it or it is one of those films I have read so much about it feels like I have seen it!

[Boo Radley]

Titticut Follies is set in Bridgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane, a term we don't use any more as it's not PC... it was directed by Frederick Wiseman and filmed by John Marshall.

Before it was shown, Massachusetts tried and won an injunction to stop it being shown on grounds that the film violated the patients' privacy and dignity.Although Wiseman received permission from all the people portrayed or the hospital superintendent (their legal guardian) it was on very shaky ground legally.

It was pulled from distribution by the Judge and for years could only be seen by doctors, lawyers, judges, health-care professionals, social workers, and students in these and related fields.

It's not quite what I expected. Filmed in stark black and white with the echos of madness present on the soundtrack, it makes for uncomfortable but not shocking, viewing. There is a lot of verbal abuse, threats of violence and intimidation by the guards, forced feeding and general neglect of duty. The lack of any dignity and respect is appalling, not only to the patients involved but to their families as well. One scene that sticks in my mind is of a guard feeding a patient with a fag hanging out of his mouth and the ash falling into his gruel, the guard doesn't miss a beat as he spoons it into the patients mouth.

It is a damning expose of institutions in the 1960's and an important document in its own right. Personally I don't believe it is exploitive but others would argue otherwise with perhaps pertinent issues. Still very difficult to get hold off and not cheap when you do.

You can get it here; Zipporah Films Titicut Follies

[Nordicdusk]

Cheers Boo.