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Netflix is a great root for movie fans who enjoy a gooddocumentary . The streaming platform has list after list of worthy content all categorize   by genre . There are crime , politics , sports , real - life stories and foreign movies . If looking for a documentary film with something more , look no further . Netflix has an array of riveting documentaries directed by women .

hearing have their eyes glued to the   belittled screen with documentaries likeHomecoming , directed by Beyoncé herself . There are also political documentaries , showingthe inspirational rise of Alexandra Ocasio - Cortezto Congressional   government agency and channelise by Rachel Lears , for good example . There ’s so much more and so little time to binge .

Elena (2012): 7.6

The Brazilian documentary , Elenadebuted in 2012 . It was conduct by Petra Costa and her name might sound familiar to some Netflix fans . Costa is also well known for herNetflix original documentarythat was nominated for an Academy Award , The Edge of Democracy . Elenadid slightly   well in terms of IMDb make .

The documentary film details the life of Costa ’s older baby , Elena Andrade . Elena is a   young charwoman who moves to New York from Brazil to pursue   the same dream her mother   had , to become an actress . She leaves behind her childhood , overshadowed by a dictatorship , and her younger sis . She returns to Brazil age later with no luck until being accept into a New York college , but this time she convey her family with her .

The C Word (2015): 7.6

Everyone fear the " deoxycytidine monophosphate " word and it call for little account of what the letter intend : cancer . Not only is the 2012 infotainment , The C Word , about the journeying to keep cancer in the medical field , but it has an inspirational backstory . The motion picture was directed by Meghan O’Hara , who ventured to make the documentary after surviving   stage 3 boob cancer .

The documentary prompts audiences to explore the research by   Dr. David Servan - Schreiber and the four identifiers   that could reduce the risk of cancer . Intermixed is the narration of Western practice of medicine ’s bankruptcy to combat an illness that plagues thousands of people every year .

What Happened, Miss Simone? (2015): 7.6

Director Liz Garbus is known for a number of her documentary movies , such asLove , MarilynandBobby Fischer Against the World . But   Garbus undertake another real - spirit account that got people ’s attending - the sprightliness and story of Isaac Bashevis Singer   Nina Simone . The docudrama debuted at Sundance before becoming   useable on Netflix . It was propose for   Best Documentary Feature 2015 at the Academy Awards and it even went on to acquire   an Emmy   for Outstanding Documentary .

The documentary film served as a gripping andinsightful look at the singer ’s life sentence and bequest .   Simone became a civil activist after the event in 1960 , leading her to move to Liberia . She was a power plant Black artist and icon   who left an incalculable mark on the world .

Unrest (2017): 7.7

Unrestwas bring forth and point by Jennifer Brea and became her most celebrated body of work so far and first feature debut . The story is a documentary about her spirit , health and sudden illness . While studying to get her Ph.D. at Harvard University , she abruptly becomes ominous . On the leaflet of getting tie , she experiences a horrible fever that leaves her bedridden .

Brea is soon confined to a seam and live on on her own practical journeying to uncover her diagnosing and a hidden community of hoi polloi suffering the same complaint . She has   chronic fatigue syndrome ( CFS ) and discover a new sentiency of resiliency for life history connecting with people around the creation who teach her how to fight on . Brea filmed and created the documentary all while bedfast .

Athlete A (2020): 7.7

The news story   regarding Doctor Nassar , a   USA Gymnastics interior team Dr. , broom the body politic and caused an uproar and a electric arc to uncover the trueness . Starting in 2015 , Nassar was accuse of multiple display case of intimate assault   against distaff gymnasts . Some victim   included gymnasts from the United States Olympic squad .

The Netflix movieAthlete Adocuments and follows a group of investigative journalists atThe Indianapolis Starwho first break the storey . The documentary was co - directed by   Bonni Cohen and   Jon Shenk . Owen Gleiberman   fromVarietypraised the docudrama ’s power to differentiate the storyof its survivors and give a glance at the self-aggrandizing picture   regarding sexual assault .

The Devil We Know (2018): 7.7

The Devil We Knowwas a 2018 investigative documentary take by Stephanie Soechtig alongside Jeremy Seifert . Soechtig is know for make and directingdocumentaries reveal the harmful effects of itemssuch as bottled urine , fleshiness in the nutrient diligence and even gun lobbying . The 2018 documentary exposes the allegations of the wellness hazards of   perfluorooctanoic Zen ( PFOA , also love as C8 ) .

The Square (2013): 8.1

The Squareisn’t entail to be flurry with the 2017 comedy - play picture show of the same name . The 2013 documentary is an Egyptian - American picture show directed by   Jehane Noujaim . She is a well - fuck director who has been antecedently nominated for an Academy Award and better known for her work inControl RoomandStartup.comand sheco - point , The Great Hack .

The Squaredeserves its own praise , as it was nominated for Best Documentary lineament at the 86th Academy Awards and gain ground three Emmys . TheWashington Postdescribed   the documentary as"a beautiful docudrama . But its politics are dangerous . " It documents Egyptian revolutionaries   as they combat in a war against their leader and regime for a better futurity .

Blackfish (2013): 8.1

bring forth and take by   Gabriela Cowperthwaite , Blackfishis a docudrama   many have heard of when it first come to Netflix . The moving-picture show ’s premise is one that tug at many viewers ' heartstrings , as it involved a common ethical and moral debateabout the treatment of animals , specifically orca whales .

The documentary engage a deeper look into the imprisonment of grampus whale at SeaWorld . An often argue controversy , it detailed the concern for   Tilikum , an killer whale postulate in the deaths of three masses . It raise the question and investigates the impact of imprisonment on a killer whale and its consequences .

13th (2016): 8.3

Ava DuVernay tackles one of lodge ’s and the nation ’s most talked - about theme when it add up to infrastructure and the prison system.13thexplores the history ofracial inequality in the United States , while taking a closer look at the prison organization and its majority of inmate being people of color .

The documentary has multiple voices from academics , activist and political figures who have spoken out against the issue like   Angela Davis , Bryan Stevenson and   Van Jones . Peter Travers fromThe Rolling Stonessaid , " DuVernay has mould her Department of Commerce into a living story of slavery as an foundation that wo n’t quit . "

A Lion In The House (2006): 8.6

In relation toThe C Word , A Lion in the Housetakes a look at the other side and documents the emotional journeying of being diagnose with cancer . The 2006 docudrama was place by   Julia Reichert   and Steven Bogner and document five families over the track of six years as their baby is diagnosed with cancer .

The movie detail how families from different walks of life make do and manage with cancer and treatments received at the   Cincinnati Children ’s Hospital Medical Center . Reichart was hesitant , at first , to take on the project , seeing asher girl just finished genus Cancer treatmenta year prior   to being asked to do the film . The celluloid has since received numerous award and is praised for bringing cognizance to paediatric cancer .

NEXT : Election Year : 10 Best Netflix Documentaries About American Politics

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unrest, 13th and The square documentaries

Elena directed by Petra Costa

The C Word directed by Meghan O’Hara

Nina Simone looking to the distance

Unrest directed by Jennifer Brea

Maggie Nichols in Athlete A documentary

Bucky Bailey in The Devil We Know

Ahmed Hassan in The Square documentary

Tilikum the orca in Blackfish documentary

13th directed by Ava DuVernay

A Lion in the House directed by Julia Reichert and Steven Bogner

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