Documentaries Larger Than Life

[Draven73]

I love stories, and I love getting lost in fictional worlds. But sometimes, reality can be just as fascinating as fiction.

Every now and then, real life gives us stories so unbelievable that, if they had been written into a novel or a movie, we'd probably call them unrealistic.

So I thought it'd be fun to have a thread dedicated to documentaries that completely blew our minds. Whether they're inspiring, disturbing, funny, or simply unbelievable, I'd love to hear about the documentaries that left a lasting impression on you.

I'll start with Searching for Sugar Man.



Imagine discovering that you're a huge music star on the other side of the world... without ever knowing it.

That's the premise of this documentary. A South African music fan decides to learn more about his favorite folk singer, Sixto Rodriguez. During his search, he uncovers an almost unbelievable story: Rodriguez had become an enormous star in South Africa... completely unaware of it.

I won't say anything more because half the magic lies in discovering the story alongside the people investigating it.

On top of telling one of the most incredible true stories I've ever seen, it's also a wonderful opportunity to discover an amazing musician. Rodriguez has become a permanent fixture in my playlists ever since.

Let's continue with another forgotten artist: Finding Vivian Maier.


Imagine buying an old storage locker at an auction, only to discover thousands upon thousands of stunning photographic negatives inside.

That's exactly what happened to John Maloof. As he tries to uncover the identity of the photographer behind those images, he stumbles upon the extraordinary story of Vivian Maier, a nanny who spent her entire life documenting the streets of Chicago and New York with extraordinary talent... yet never became known for her work.

It's another documentary that feels almost too incredible to be true, and it introduces you to one of the greatest street photographers of the 20th century.

So... what documentaries completely blew your mind?