8 documentaries to cozy up with under quarantine

Paris is Burning follows the members of Harlem’s drag ballroom scene in the 1980’s-1990’s. While I am a Rupaul’s Drag Race fan (and it really brings the slang and culture full-circle), you don’t need to be a fan of drag to enjoy this film. The sheer star power exuded from everyone featured is nothing short of magnetic. Paris Is Burning is a look into a subculture made up of gay and queer people of colour during a time where representation was low(er) and discrimination was high(er). Beautiful, hilarious, inspiring, and heartbreaking. Touch this skin, honey!

Director Alison Klayman documents the life and work of world renown Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei who chooses to live in China and make his art, fighting to inspire protest against the dictatorial Chinese government, while under constant threat of imprisonment. She showcases his artistic process as he prepares for a museum exhibition, his relationships with family members and his inevitable clashes with the government. Courage, heart, and artistic brilliance are all on display in this film.

Never again will anyone make a case about Alexander McQueen’s brilliance, because it’s all right here, in this film. The beauty, and skill are not only undeniable but awe-inspiring. But what may be even more moving is the intimate tone of this documentary. The artistry is tied together with footage of McQueen working behind-the-scenes, out of the limelight and with interviews from people who so clearly loved him, making this an incredible watch.

A woman refuses to leave her New Orleans home as Hurricane Katrina rolls in. She buys some extra batteries for her camcorder and heads to the attic with her husband and a couple neighbours. Prepare to be moved and inspired by Kimberly Roberts, the heart of this film, who with her camcorder offers more affecting coverage of Hurricane Katrina than any news station ever has or could. Her raw, amateur footage gives a look into the eye of the Katrina storm if you were a poor, black resident of the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, inviting us to step into the shoes of the people whose own government had forgotten them.

The September Issue follows legendary editor and powerhouse Anna Wintour and her team through the making of the most coveted issue of year: Vogue’s September issue. Through his film, RJ Cutler gives us a look at how the fashion and fashion publishing industries work, into that space between commerce and creativity. Notably, given that it’s the September 2007 issue, it gives insight into those inner workings from a pre-influencer point of view. Some may think “pointless”, but like most things in fashion: arguably pointless, yet difficult not to stare at.

Listen, I really don’t care about football at all, but this docu-series sucked me. More than anything I’d say it’s a story about human redemption. Last Chance U follows a group of young college football players at a small community college who were overlooked or cast out by/ from big name schools, often due to their grades or various off-the-field issues, as they make one last attempt at a scholarship that could be a ticket to their dream school. Going in, I had no expectations for this, again not a sports person like that, but I was blown away by the honest storytelling. It’s exciting, it’s heartbreaking, it’s compelling, it’s a must-see.

From rags, to riches, back to rags, The Queen of Versailles follows one of the richest families in the US as they build the biggest private home in America, and the impact the 2008 stock market crash has on them. I can admit that such levels of grotesque wealth is enviable, but its removal is a special kind of satisfying, not to mention entertaining.

Mommy Dead and Dearest is a true crime documentary exploring the murder of Dee Dee Blancharde, and the truly bizarre circumstances which led police to believe her wheelchair-bound daughter was her killer. Sad, disturbing, and twist-a-plenty, this story is absolutely wild. And Munchausen by proxy is f*cking terrifying.