All Episodes
Oscar Nominations 2023: Three Tales from the Past and the Heart
In this special edition of Factual America, Matthew Sherwood meets the people behind three of the five nominations for Best Documentary Short Film at the 2023 Oscars: The Martha Mitchell Effect, How Do You Measure a Year? and Stranger at the Gate. The films bring the past into the present, stripping away lies, showing the evolution of a relationship, and startling acts of love. They show humanity at its worst, and best.
The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck
Don’t be fooled. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck is not about not caring at all. The film takes the form of an extended interview with Mark Manson, author of the book on which The Subtle Art is based. Using the example of his own life, he talks candidly about the many mistakes he has made, and what he had to do to solve his problems; namely, give a f*ck, just about the right things, and the right people.
Moonage Daydream: David Bowie’s Impressionistic Life
Moonage Daydream is not just a film but a whole cinematic experience. It is a montage of memories conveyed through archival images and sounds that tell the story of David Bowie’s richly lived life. Working with the approval of Bowie’s estate, director Brett Morgen spent nearly seven years crafting, honing, and finally perfecting the film, which has been lauded across the world. It is a fitting tribute to one of music’s brightest stars.
Dog Days: The Truth Behind Gunther’s Millions
Gunther is a multi-millionaire. He owns mansions and yachts. Beautiful women surround him. He has everything – everything a dog could want. That’s right, Gunther is a German Shepherd, and Gunther’s Millions tells the true story of his stranger-than-fiction life. It is a four part docu-series that is both bizarre and, dare we say it, barking.
FIFA Uncovered
Since the 1970s, FIFA has achieved unparalled financial and political success as football’s governing body. But with that success has come corruption at the highest levels of the organisation. FIFA Uncovered lifts the veil on what went right and horribly wrong through interviews with many of the men at the heart of the organisation.
Santa Camp
The documentary filmmakers behind Santa Camp, Nick Sweeney and Stacey Reiss, discuss the tricks of the trade involved in being a Santa, what it’s like hanging out with hundreds of Santas, and the threats they received while making the surprisingly controversial film.
Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich
Ghislaine Maxwell: Filthy Rich tells the shocking story of how a privileged British woman became the accomplice of the notorious sexual predator, Jeffrey Epstein.
Pepsi, Where’s My Jet?
Pepsi, Where’s My Jet? tells the incredible story of a 20-year-old’s attempt to win a fighter jet in a sweepstakes, setting the stage for a David versus Goliath battle for the history books
Who is Stan Smith?
Produced by LeBron James, Who is Stan Smith? is an Uninterrupted documentary, which explores the life of the tennis player who gave his name to the iconic Adidas shoe but who has achieved so much more in his life.
Killer Sally
New Netflix docu-series ‘Killer Sally’ revisits the case of Sally McNeil who killed her husband, Ray, in 1995.
Cat Daddies
The new documentary “Cat Daddies” captures the story of different men and how their cat influences their life.
Capital Punishment: Life and Death Row
BBC’s Life and Death Row – The Mass Execution is a documentary that we use to explore the history of capital punishment in America.
Inconvenient Truth, Al Gore and Climate Change
The Oscar winning An Inconvenient Truth (2006) about Al Gore and climate change shows how performance is used to animate risk in documentary films.
Globalisation of Factory Farming
Soyalism is a gripping documentary about factory farming and corporations taking over meat production at any cost necessary.
Gun Violence and Mass Shootings in America
We're discussing Marc Silver’s documentary "3 ½ Minutes, 10 Bullets," and America's pressing problem of gun violence.
DA Pennebaker's Dont Look Back
The groundbreaking Dont Look Back (1967) by DA Pennebaker is considered one of the best documentaries of all time. Today we pay homage to the late artist.
Alex Gibney's Theranos Scandal Documentary
We explore the Theranos saga through the lens of Alex Gibney’s documentary The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (2019).
Building Trump's Border Wall in Texas
Ben Masters' ‘The River and the Wall’ explores the economic, environmental and social impact of President Donald Trump’s border wall.
Salesman by Albert and David Maysles
The Maysles' brothers documentary Salesman had an immense influence on documentary filmmaking, and speaks about the pursuit of the American Dream.