Essay Samples on Documentary

Essay Examples
Essay Topics

"The 13th": A Summary and Analysis

"The 13th" is a powerful documentary directed by Ava DuVernay that examines the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. The title refers to the 13th Amendment of the Constitution, which abolished slavery but left a significant loophole allowing involuntary servitude...

Summary of "The Mask You Live In" Documentary

"The Mask You Live In" is a compelling documentary that explores the complex challenges faced by boys and young men as they navigate societal expectations and norms surrounding masculinity. This essay provides a comprehensive summary of the film, examining its main themes, key arguments, and...

"The House I Live In": A Comprehensive Summary

"The House I Live In" is a thought-provoking documentary that sheds light on the deep-seated issues surrounding the War on Drugs in the United States. This essay provides a comprehensive summary of the film, outlining its main themes, key arguments, and the societal implications of...

"An Inconvenient Truth": A Convincing Documentary on Climate Change

Introduction Throughout Earth’s history, there have been periods of drastic changes in Earth’s climate. However, there has never been a period of significant climate change within such a short amount of time. Stronger and more frequent storms have taken place all over the world in...

13th Documentary: Diving Into The History of Racial Inequalities

13th is a documentary where the filmmaker Ava DuVernay analyzes the history of racial inequality in the United States. The documentary dives into mass incarceration and how the government has a hold on African Americans. Ava DuVernay uses interviews, newspaper articles, and video clips from...

13th Documentary and the Fight for Racial Equality

Ava DuVernay’s documentary “13th” represents the racial inequality that persisted in the United States as well as dehumanization and mass incarceration of blacks through social constructionism. 13th explores the history of modern-day segregation in the criminal justice system. The documentary is based on the 13th...

Spreading Awareness On African American Incarceration In 13Th Documentary

The documentary, 13th, very accurately shows viewers the causes of mass incarceration in the US, of which the thesis is: ‘Despite slavery being abolished in 1865, people of color continue to be enslaved in new forms that are suitable to the limitations of the time’....

13th Documentary: Facing Inequalities and Institutional Racism

Filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s documentary, “13th”, explores racial history, institutional racism, oppression, social constructs, and political ideology, within the United States justice system. DuVernay accuses the government of targeting and criminalizing marginalized communities long beyond the enactment of the thirteenth amendment to the constitution. The thirteenth...

Betrayal and Corruption Themes in the Film 'The Cleaners'

“Death is a messy business” Wells N. Mind Game Studios has created yet another film in their well received Lego stop-motion series. The creators say that the film was meant to be “homage to 1970s crime films” Wells N. . The film is about two...

Werner Herzog's "Grizzly Man": Documentary Analysis and Review

In the vast wilderness of Alaska's Katmai National Park and Reserve, a man named Treadwell dared to forge an extraordinary bond with one of nature's most formidable creatures – the mighty bears. For thirteen remarkable summers, he fearlessly lived unarmed among these majestic beings, immersing...

Similar Themes In The Story Of Rapunzel And Documentary Movie Surfwise

We all know the story of the legendary tale, Rapunzel. Born under the royal kingdom, she has golden, magical hair that possesses the power to heal whenever she sings the spell. However, an old, selfish woman named Mother Gothel wanted this power to keep her...

"Super Size Me" Movie Review: Fast Food Industry's Impact on Public Health

Morgan Spurlock's documentary, "Super Size Me," delves into the realm of fast food conglomerates and the profound impact of McDonald's-based culinary offerings. The film also examines the burgeoning crisis of obesity and diabetes in the United States. Morgan commits himself to an intriguing experiment, consuming...

Hydraulic Fracturing'S Impact On Citizens In Gasland Part 2

‘Gasland Part 2(2013)” is a documentary which documents the impact of the gas boom of fracking or hydraulic fracturing. Fracking or hydraulic fracturing is using huge volumes of water and sand laced with chemicals to flush the gas from rock formations. This enables America to...

Depiction of the After War Struggles in the Documentary Battle of Algiers

“The Battle of Algiers” is a dramatized documentary that showcases the post war struggles of the Algerian public who want to free themselves from French colonial rule. The French did not respond very well to this and reacted very aggressively and brutal to try and...

Life and Debt: An Exposure of the Damage Done to Jamaica by the World Bank

The documentary ‘Life and Debt’ begin with the tourists traveling to Jamaica for vacations. As the film continues, the viewers come to know the value of Jamaican dollar is cheaper than compared to the U.S. dollar, which is an outcome of the devaluations imposed by...

Blackfish: The Risk and Danger of Capturing the Orcas

In 2013, Gabriela Cowperthwaile released her documentary Blackfish to the world, turning heads and fins of everyone who watched it. Her documentary dives deep into the disturbing lives the orcas go through at Sea World. She follows the life of a famous whale, Tilikum, who...

Analysis of Manipulative Techniques Used in the Film "Blackfish"

Essay grade Good

I am writing this letter to share a personal view on the film Blackfish, as well as my thoughts on SeaWorld’s statements. The death of one of the Orca trainers at Florida's SeaWorld, Dawn Brancheau, made nationwide news back in 2010. It was a story...

Animal Captivity and the Impact of the "Blackfish" Documentary on SeaWorld

Animal domestication commenced in ancient times. Human beings are known to have tamed creatures such as cats for companionship in ancient Egypt and livestock for agricultural purposes. This marked the earliest form of animal captivity. Through the years, animal captivity has evolved significantly. Presently, the...

The Parting of the Audience and Creators in the Bowling for Columbine

To reinforce the overarching message of the documentary, Moore explicitly vilifies ‘pro-gun’ ideals and characterises them into an effective antagonist that both defines the sense of morality for the audience and directs the focus of the film entirely. Throughout the film, footage and audio clips...

Bowling for Columbine: Decision-Making as the Core of Human Survival

A wise man by the name of John F. Kennedy once said, “One person can make a difference, and everyone should try.” His knowledgeable words are truthful and factual as individuals’ choices can drastically alter another person's life. A person's egotistical decisions may play a...

Columbine Shooting and Relation to Gun Violence in America in Bowling for Columbine

“It was the morning of April 20th, 1999, and it was pretty much like any other morning in America...And out in Littleton, Colorado, two boys went bowling at six in the morning. Yes, it was a typical day in the United States of America.” (Moore,...

Country Music Rises Above the Genre of Music

On Monday the 14th, I watched “I Can’t Stop Loving You” which is episode 4 in the Country Music Documentary by Ken Burns. It included the many of the careers that began between 1953 – 1963 including the stories of The Everly Brothers, Elvis Presley,...

Torture During Algerian Colonization in the Battle of Algeirs

The depiction of torture gave the film, Battle of Algiers, considerable global attention, raising the questions regarding the efficacy of torture in the context of colonialism. However, to what extent can this movie be regarded as accurate in portraying the violence, for it to be...

Analysis of the Documetary Film Battle of Algiers: Depiction of the Horrors of War

The Italian-Algerian docufilm “Battle of Algiers” was released in 1966, just 4 years after Algeria obtained independence. The newly-independent state was confronting the issue of a inhomogeneous political scene, thus the movie served Algeria’s need of to build a national identity. The docufilm portrays the...

National Liberation Front in the Movie Battle of Algiers

Throughout the film, the FLN (National Liberation Front) proved to be dedicated to exhibiting resistance to French colonialism through a variety of political and violent means. The FLN targets French policeman and paratroopers by means of guerilla warfare. The group was resourceful, dedicated, and persistent....

Film Techniques In Documentary 'Touching the Void'

In a documentary, Touching the Void by Kevin Macdonald, Joe’s breaking point happened on the moraine dam scene where he made use of film techniques. He thought, 'This is it, this is as far as this game goes. I'm not capable of going any further.'...

My Personal Opinion on the 'Supersize Me'

My personal opinion on the 'Supersize Me' video is Americans and everyone else on this earth is responsible for their personal choices. I don’t think restaurants should be held accountable for people gaining weight because humans have the choice if they should eat out or...

Supersize Me' Documentary About Fast Food By Morgan Spurlock

Understanding world problems through visual expression is the underlying talent of a Documentary Filmmaker. As a documentary filmmaker, you are a storyteller. It is your job to take the audience on a journey of facts and awareness. Morgan Spurlock has become one of the well...

Obesity Epidemic in America In Documentary 'Supersize Me'

14 years ago award winning director Morgan Spurlock flamboyantly demonstrated the consequences of trying to sustain yourself on a calorie filled diet. Over a 30-day period, the producer and star of the documentary ate nothing but McDonalds for his daily three meals. He also travels...

Examining 'Supersize Me' and 'FatHead': Unveiling the Truth or Propaganda

Essay grade Good

The rising level of obesity in the United States of America over the past decade has led to an increase in both health and wellness promotions, and media attention. This has, of course, also caused elevated the level of controversy surrounding this issue, giving way...

False Acusation Without Evidence: The Unjust Case of Adnan Syed

Rabia Chaudry said, “Adnan Syed is being a member of the track team, football in addition to running a prayer in his mosque in such busy schedule how he can assume murder?' Many people judge his religion and have said that he is guilty for...

The Trial and Conviction of Adnan Syed

In January of 1999, Hae Min Lee, an 18 year old high school student went missing for almost a month. It wasn’t until February 9th that she was found dead in Leakin Park in Baltimore, Maryland. It was deduced that she was killed around the...

Why Adnan is Innocent: Wrongful Conviction in the Case Against Adnan Syed

Essay grade Good

Twenty years ago Hae Min Lee was murdered. She was strangled and left in Leakin Park. Her ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, was convicted of her murder a year later. The only thing that lead the police to Adnan was a testimony from his friend, Jay Wilds....

The Question Unanswered: “The Case Of Adnan Syed”

Essay grade Excellent

The famous documentary aired on HBO is taking people around the world by a storm, “The Case Against Adnan Syed” Directed by Amy Berg. This anecdote came into light when the famous American Life Podcast ‘SERIAL’ was disclosed in October 2014, with the genuine offense...

The Dust Bowl: The Analysis of Ken Burns’ Documentary

The Dust Bowl is a documentary film by Ken Burns that utilizes interviews with moral witnesses of the event and their descendants to really highlight the emotional toll that disaster had on the citizens of the Great Plains. The film describes the Dust Bowl as...

Theme Of Discrimination In 'A Class Divided'

The 1985 PBS Frontline documentary, ‘A Class Divided’ is an exemplary piece of film making that captures almost perfectly, the way in which discrimination is created, spread and enforced amongst members in a society. From the film, we can draw conclusions as to why discrimination...

Jamaica's Independence In The Film "Coral Gardens"

After Coral Gardens was produced by Deborah A. Thomas and John L. Jackson in 2011. This documentary speaks about the event that happened immediately after Jamaica gained independence and shed light on the situation at hand. In 1962 when Jamaica gained independence a year or...

Michio Kaku Documentary: A Growing Role of Biotech Revolution

A Bio-Tech Revolution is on the rise as mentioned by Michio Kaku in his Documentary with BBC FOUR entitled Biotech Revolution. A merger between Biology and Technology ranging from Medicine down to the very essence of life, genetics. The documentary was an eye-opening experience to...

Rhetorical Devices And Persuasive Techniques Used In Newtown Documentary

Using rhetorical devices as persuasive techniques are really influential and are most commonly used to manipulate and influence audience. Newtown is an example of one, in which the director, Kim A. Snyder, makes an effort to intelligently highlight the issue of gun violence in the...

DuPont Planetarium In A Video Documentary

DuPont Planetarium is located on the campus of USC-Aiken in South Carolina giving every individual regardless of race or gender an opportunity to explore the majesty of heavens (Banes, 2003). The planetarium which is 30 ft. diameter dome has for a long time been receiving...

Analysis Of Specific Features Used In The Sports Documentary Murderball

The sports documentary Murderball uses visual conventions to convey the perspective of quadriplegic men, by challenging the dominant cultural representation of the quadriplegic as being vulnerable in a western able-bodied patriarchal society and encourages the audience to view this as empowering the disabled sportsmen’s. This...

Principles Of Digital Scaffolding In The Square Documentary Film

The Netflix documentary The Square centers on the Egyptian Revolution that occured in 2011. The film depicts a group of revolutionaries that attempt to gather protesters in order to fight against the regime. The setting of the film is the one of the country’s most...

Documentary Film: The Truth Behind The Financial Condition Of 2008

Inside job, the primary film to show the stunning truth behind the financial condition of 2008. The worldwide money meltdown, at a price of over $20 trillion, resulted in individuals losing their homes and jobs. Through intensive analysis and interviews with major money insiders, politicians...

The Wild And Wonderful Whites Of West Virginia Documentary

Essay grade Satisfactory

In Boone County, West Virginia lives the Whites family. For an entire year, a camera crew followed the Whites family's crazy life style. This documentary began after Jesco Whites was in "The Dancing Outlaw.” He became famous because of his mountain tap dancing style and...

A Reflection On the Documentary Film "Before The Flood"

Essay grade Satisfactory

What can be done about the issue of Global Warming? That’s the big question in “Before the Flood”. Leonardo DiCaprio was in almost every scene talking to scientific and world leaderssuch as US President Obama. This documentary really made me more aware of what is...

Need writing help?

You can always rely on us no matter what type of paper you need

Order My Paper

*No hidden charges

/