Human Rights & Activism Documentaries
by stefanbackes | created - 05 Apr 2013 | updated - 27 Mar 2015 | PublicDocumentaries portraying peoples fight and activities involved in promoting human rights and freedoms against political, corporate and other power structures that inhibit or forbid them.
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1. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry (2012)
R | 91 min | Documentary
A documentary that chronicles artist and activist Ai Weiwei as he prepares for a series of exhibitions and gets into an increasing number of clashes with the Chinese government.
Director: Alison Klayman | Stars: Ai Weiwei, Dan Ai, Lao Ai, Lee Ambrozy
Votes: 4,527 | Gross: $0.53M
2. The Corporation (2003)
Not Rated | 145 min | Documentary, History
Documentary that looks at the concept of the corporation throughout recent history up to its present-day dominance.
Directors: Mark Achbar, Jennifer Abbott | Stars: Mikela Jay, Rob Beckwermert, Christopher Gora, Nina Jones
Votes: 21,787 | Gross: $1.88M
3. Food, Inc. (2008)
PG | 94 min | Documentary, News
An unflattering look inside America's corporate controlled food industry.
Director: Robert Kenner | Stars: Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Richard Lobb, Vince Edwards
Votes: 52,221 | Gross: $4.42M
4. Shut Up & Sing (2006)
R | 93 min | Documentary, Biography, Music
A documentary on the The Chicks (formerly the Dixie Chicks) in the wake of singer Natalie Maines' anti-George W. Bush statement at a 2003 concert.
Directors: Barbara Kopple, Cecilia Peck | Stars: Natalie Maines, Emily Strayer, Martie Maguire, Clayton Allen
Votes: 4,989 | Gross: $1.22M
5. Sir! No Sir! (2005)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary, History, War
NO! SIR! tells an almost entirely forgotten story of the military men and women who forced the U.S. government to end the Vietnam War
Director: David Zeiger | Stars: Michael Alaimo, Edward Asner, Joe Bangert, Tom Bernard
Votes: 838 | Gross: $0.11M
6. The Tillman Story (2010)
R | 94 min | Documentary, Biography, Mystery
Chronicles the life of the late Pat Tillman, who walked away from a multimillion-dollar contract with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals in 2002 to join the Army but died from friendly fire in Afghanistan.
Director: Amir Bar-Lev | Stars: Pat Tillman, Josh Brolin, Mary Tillman, Russell Baer
Votes: 5,431 | Gross: $0.80M
7. Votergate (2004)
PG-13 | 85 min | Documentary
Director: Ole Schell | Stars: Jeremy Manning, Ole Schell
Votes: 23
8. South of the Border (2009)
Not Rated | 78 min | Documentary
A road trip across five countries to explore the social and political movements as well as the mainstream media's misperception of South America while interviewing seven of its elected presidents.
Director: Oliver Stone | Stars: Tariq Ali, Tony Blair, Wolf Blitzer, Nelson Bocaranda
Votes: 3,097 | Gross: $0.17M
9. The Yes Men Fix the World (2009)
87 min | Documentary, Comedy
Troublemaking duo Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, posing as their industrious alter-egos, expose the people profiting from Hurricane Katrina, the faces behind the environmental disaster in Bhopal, and other shocking events.
Directors: Andy Bichlbaum, Mike Bonanno, Kurt Engfehr | Stars: Reggie Watts, Mike Bonanno, Andy Bichlbaum, Richard Ebeling
Votes: 5,207 | Gross: $0.19M
10. Afghan Star (2009)
Unrated | 110 min | Documentary, Music
A documentary about the simultaneously unifying and divisive effects of Afghanistan's version of the TV talent show format on its society. It focuses on "Afghan Star" which airs on the Tolo TV channel in Afghanistan.
Director: Havana Marking | Stars: Rafi Naabzada, Lima Sahar, Hameed Sakhizada, Setara Hussainzada
Votes: 1,018 | Gross: $0.10M
11. McLibel (2005)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary
McLibel is the story of two ordinary people who humiliated McDonald's in the biggest corporate PR disaster in history.
Directors: Ken Loach, Franny Armstrong | Stars: Helen Steel, Dave Morris, Bruce Alexander, Anita Anand
Votes: 2,168 | Gross: $0.00M
12. Orwell Rolls in His Grave (2003)
Unrated | 84 min | Documentary
A documentary analyzing the role of the modern American media and its effects on democracy.
Director: Robert Kane Pappas | Stars: Vincent Bugliosi, Jeff Cohen, Dennis Kucinich, Charles Lewis
Votes: 1,148 | Gross: $0.02M
13. Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism (2004)
Unrated | 78 min | Documentary
Documentary on reported Conservative bias of the Rupert Murdoch-owned Fox News Channel (FNC), which promotes itself as "Fair and Balanced". Material includes interviews with former FNC employees and the inter-office memos they provided.
Director: Robert Greenwald | Stars: Douglas Cheek, Walter Cronkite, Bob McChesney, Jeff Cohen
Votes: 6,276 | Gross: $0.24M
14. Before Stonewall (1984)
Unrated | 87 min | Documentary, History
The history of the Gay and Lesbian community before the Stonewall riots began the major gay rights movement.
Directors: Greta Schiller, Robert Rosenberg | Stars: Rita Mae Brown, Bruce Nugent, Henry Otis, Donna Smith
Votes: 1,190 | Gross: $0.02M
15. Taxi to the Dark Side (2007)
R | 106 min | Documentary, Crime, History
Alex Gibney exposes the haunting details of the USA's torture and interrogation practices during the War in Afghanistan.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Alex Gibney, Brian Keith Allen, Moazzam Begg, Christopher Beiring
Votes: 16,804 | Gross: $0.27M
16. The Cove (2009)
PG-13 | 92 min | Documentary, Biography, Crime
Using state-of-the-art equipment, a group of activists, led by renowned dolphin trainer Ric O'Barry, infiltrate a cove near Taijii, Japan to expose both a shocking instance of animal abuse and a serious threat to human health.
Director: Louie Psihoyos | Stars: Richard O'Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Hardy Jones, Michael Illiff
Votes: 51,446 | Gross: $0.87M
17. The New Rulers of the World (2001 TV Movie)
65 min | Documentary
The myths of globalisation have been incorporated into much of our everyday language. "Thinking globally" and "the global economy" are part of a jargon that assumes we are all part of one ... See full summary »
Directors: Alan Lowery, John Pilger | Stars: Pramoedya Ananta Toer, George Monbiot, Dita Sari
Votes: 264
18. Surplus: Terrorized Into Being Consumers (2003)
54 min | Documentary
Looks at the arguments for capitalism and technology, such as greater efficiency, more time and less work, and argues that these are not being fulfilled, and they never will be.
Director: Erik Gandini | Stars: John Zerzan, George W. Bush, Fidel Castro, Kalle Lasn
Votes: 1,517
19. The End of America (2008)
74 min | Documentary
"The End of America" details the ten steps a country takes when it slides toward fascism. It's not a "lefty" taught-to-me, but rather a historical look at trends in once-functioning ... See full summary »
Directors: Ricki Stern, Anne Sundberg | Stars: David Antoon, Vincent Cannistraro, James Cullen, Amy Goodman
Votes: 799
20. The War You Don't See (2010)
97 min | Documentary, War
Thought-provoking documentary on war propaganda: how governments manipulate the facts and how most media let them get away with it.
Directors: Alan Lowery, John Pilger | Stars: John Pilger, Stuart Ewen, Melvin Goodman, Dan Rather
Votes: 1,526
21. Bananas!* (2009)
Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary, Crime, Drama
Juan "Accidentes" Dominguez is on his biggest case ever. On behalf of twelve Nicaraguan banana workers he is tackling Dole Food in a ground-breaking legal battle for their use of a banned pesticide that was known by the company to cause sterility.
Director: Fredrik Gertten | Stars: Byron Rosales Romero, Juan J. Dominguez, Duane Miller, Rick McKnight
Votes: 960
22. We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists (2012)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary
A documentary on the workings and beliefs of the self-described "hacktivist" collective, Anonymous.
Director: Brian Knappenberger | Stars: Anon2World, Anonyops, Julian Assange, Aaron Barr
Votes: 10,420
23. Four Horsemen (2012)
Not Rated | 97 min | Documentary, News
The modern day Four Horsemen continue to ride roughshod over the people who can least afford it. Crises are converging when governments, religion and mainstream economists have stalled. 23 ... See full summary »
Director: Ross Ashcroft | Stars: Dominic Frisby, Gillian Tett, Lawrence Wilkerson, David Morgan
Votes: 2,918
24. Burma VJ: Reporting from a Closed Country (2008)
Unrated | 84 min | Documentary, History, News
Using smuggled footage, this documentary tells the story of the 2007 protests in Burma by thousands of monks.
Director: Anders Østergaard | Stars: George W. Bush, Joshua Min Htut, Ko Muang, Aung San Suu Kyi
Votes: 2,519 | Gross: $0.05M
25. Waste Land (2010)
Not Rated | 99 min | Documentary
On the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro is Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill, where men and women sift through garbage for a living. Artist Vik Muniz produces portraits of the workers and learns about their lives.
Directors: Lucy Walker, Karen Harley, João Jardim | Star: Vik Muniz
Votes: 9,362 | Gross: $0.19M
26. The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers (2009)
Not Rated | 92 min | Documentary
An exploration of the life and work of Dr. Daniel Ellsberg, former Marine and military strategist, who was responsible for the publication of secret government documents that revealed the truth behind America's involvement in Vietnam.
Directors: Judith Ehrlich, Rick Goldsmith | Stars: Peter Arnett, Ben Bagdikian, Ann Beeson, John Dean
Votes: 2,421 | Gross: $0.45M
27. TPB AFK: The Pirate Bay Away from Keyboard (2013)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary
An intellectual freedoms documentary based around the interpersonal triumphs, and defeats of the three main characters against the largest industry in the known universe. The media industry.
Director: Simon Klose | Stars: Gottfrid Svartholm, Peter Sunde, Fredrik Neij, Peter Althin
Votes: 13,930
28. Big Boys Gone Bananas!* (2011)
90 min | Documentary, Biography, Drama
Dole Food Company wages a campaign to prevent a pair of Swedish film-makers from showing their documentary about a lawsuit against the company.
Director: Fredrik Gertten | Stars: Fredrik Gertten, Alex Rivera, Alfonso Allende, Arvid Jurjaks
Votes: 1,061
29. An Unreasonable Man (2006)
Not Rated | 122 min | Documentary, Biography
A look at the career of consumer advocate Ralph Nader.
Directors: Henriette Mantel, Steve Skrovan | Stars: Ralph Nader, Pat Buchanan, Howard Zinn, Eric Alterman
Votes: 1,767 | Gross: $0.18M
30. The Revolution Will Not Be Televised (2003)
Unrated | 74 min | Documentary
In April 2002, an Irish film crew is making a documentary about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, when a coup from the opposition is made.
Directors: Kim Bartley, Donnacha O'Briain | Stars: Hugo Chávez, Pedro Carmona, Jesse Helms, Colin Powell
Votes: 2,625
31. The Invisible War (2012)
Not Rated | 93 min | Documentary, Crime
An investigative documentary about the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the US military.
Director: Kirby Dick | Stars: Amy Ziering, Kirby Dick, Kori Cioca, Jessica Hinves
Votes: 7,083 | Gross: $0.07M
32. Jimmy Carter Man from Plains (2007)
PG | 125 min | Documentary, Biography, History
A chronicle of the former president's tour recent for his book "Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid."
Director: Jonathan Demme | Stars: Jimmy Carter, Rosalynn Carter, Lillian Carter, Elizabeth Hayes
Votes: 956 | Gross: $0.11M
33. GasLand (2010)
Not Rated | 107 min | Documentary
An exploration of the fracking petroleum extraction industry and the serious environmental consequences involved.
Director: Josh Fox | Stars: Josh Fox, Dick Cheney, Pete Seeger, Richard Nixon
Votes: 11,105 | Gross: $0.03M
34. We Steal Secrets (2013)
R | 130 min | Documentary
A documentary that details the creation of Julian Assange's controversial website, which facilitated the largest security breach in U.S. history.
Director: Alex Gibney | Stars: Julian Assange, Adrian Lamo, John 'FuzzFace' McMahon, Alex Gibney
Votes: 8,178 | Gross: $0.16M
35. The Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975 (2011)
Not Rated | 100 min | Documentary, History
Footage shot by a group of Swedish journalists documenting the Black Power Movement in the United States is edited together by a contemporary Swedish filmmaker.
Director: Göran Hugo Olsson | Stars: Angela Davis, Stokely Carmichael, Bobby Seale, Abiodun Oyewole
Votes: 2,497 | Gross: $0.26M
36. Hot Coffee (2011)
Not Rated | 88 min | Documentary
How the infamous McDonald's hot coffee lawsuit and similar cases were exploited as part of a right wing crusade to weaken civil justice.
Director: Susan Saladoff | Stars: Chuck Allen, Judy Allen, Jay Angoff, David Arredondo
Votes: 4,015
37. Miss Representation (2011)
Not Rated | 85 min | Documentary
Explores the under-representation of women in positions of power and influence in America, and challenges the media's limited portrayal of what it means to be a powerful woman.
Director: Jennifer Siebel Newsom | Stars: Jennifer Siebel Newsom, Jean Kilbourne, Jim Steyer, Katie Couric
Votes: 3,866
38. Blackfish (2013)
PG-13 | 83 min | Documentary
A documentary following the controversial captivity of killer whales, and its dangers for both humans and whales.
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite | Stars: Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall
Votes: 72,444 | Gross: $2.07M
39. Flow: For Love of Water (2008)
TV-Y7 | 84 min | Documentary
Water is the very essence of life, sustaining every being on the planet. 'Flow' confronts the disturbing reality that our crucial resource is dwindling and greed just may be the cause.
Directors: Irena Salina, Dan Berger | Stars: Bill Alexander, Maude Barlow, Basil Bold, Shelly Brime
Votes: 1,199 | Gross: $0.14M
40. Informant (I) (2012)
Unrated | 81 min | Documentary
A documentary on radical left-wing activist turned FBI informant, Brandon Darby.
Director: Jamie Meltzer | Stars: Brandon Darby, Scott Crow, Lisa Fithian, Caroline Heldman
Votes: 361
41. Mediastan (2013)
Not Rated | 94 min | Documentary
On the road with Wikileaks.
Director: Johannes Wahlström | Stars: Julian Assange, Vladimir Gubanov, Sultanbek Joumagulov, Bill Keller
Votes: 443
42. Citizenfour (2014)
R | 114 min | Documentary, Biography
A documentarian and a reporter travel to Hong Kong for the first of many meetings with Edward Snowden.
Director: Laura Poitras | Stars: Edward Snowden, Glenn Greenwald, William Binney, Jacob Appelbaum
Votes: 57,979 | Gross: $2.80M
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