Awesome Documentaries

Photographer Ernest Goh talks about the subject of his latest book: ornamental chickens. To document these unusual models, Ernest went around Malaysia, where chicken beauty pageants are held nearly every week across the country.

Comedian Eugene Mirman (Bob’s Burgers, Flight of the Conchords) is visited by fellow Hampshire College alum, filmmaker Ken Burns for an impromptu and completely factually inaccurate documentary. All biopics should be shot in bed.

Cpak Studio’s documentary about the neon sign business in Hong Kong. While they still dot the busy city’s landscape, the iconic neon signs are slowly being phased out, made obsolete by the rise of LEDs. Learn more at Neonsigns.hk.

Made by Valve, Free to Play is a feature-length documentary that followed three professional eSports players on their journey to Valve’s million-dollar Dota 2 International Tournament. It’s also on Steam and iTunes.

Grantland presents the story of a man who played a perfect game… of minigolf. He pulled it off at a tournament, but still. Part 30 for 30, part The Onion, the documentary is as hilarious as it is sad. Strangely compelling stuff.

A documentary about audio dubbing Hollywood films for non-English speaking audiences. Featuring interviews and a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of international George Clooneys and other voice actors. Trailer here.

“It’s either back with the Lakers next year or I’m done.” In Grantland’s rare inside look at the troubled times of Steve Nash, the league’s oldest active player receives troubling news, but is determined to fight and hope.

The full documentary about VFX studio Rhythm & Hues, which won an Oscar for Life of Pi yet went bankrupt because of Hollywood’s unfair business practices. This is just one chapter of a longer documentary called Hollywood Ending.

In 1999, after his son committed suicide, Steve Fugate left his successful businesses and started walking across the United States. He’s doing it to remind other people and himself not to lose hope. Steve has walked over 34,000mi and counting.

The first episode of Grantland’s documentary series on NBA player Steve Nash. Now at the twilight of his career, the two-time MVP is beset with injuries and the realities of aging. But he’s not ready to give up just yet.

Never Know Productions’ documentary travels to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and other corners of the globe to explore the connections between society, religion and everything in our universe. Support this amazing production on Kickstarter.

(NSFW, Spoilers) The trailer for Grounded: Making The Last of Us, a feature-length documentary about how developer Naughty Dog made one of the few AAA games to live up to its hype. Watch it for free in 1080p on YouTube.

Condition One’s documentary about the Oculus Rift virtual reality headset. Along with its standard releases, Zero Point will also be the first movie to have an interactive 360º 3D version, which can be watched only on the Rift.

Steven Millward was injured falling from a rodeo horse 20 years ago. He now relies on horse whisperer Grant Golliher to help manage his herd. But despite his physical setbacks, Steven is still a cowboy in the deepest recesses of his soul.

Mark Cersosimo’s latest thoughtful piece, The Roving Typist, introduces us to C.D. Hermelin, an engaging New York-based writer who creates one-of-a-kind stories for passersby with a few dollars to spare on his typewriter in the park.

At the same time that Rhythm & Hues‘ incredible VFX propelled Life of Pi to an Oscar win, the company was going bankrupt. This documentary goes behind the dark truths of Hollywood’s commoditization of the visual effects industry.

“There’s something sacred going on, and I can understand it.” Bon Iver frontman Justin Vernon talks about his love for his hometown of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and how it shapes him and his music. A nice interview by Red Wing Shoes.

A documentary about the Gran Turismo series and its creator – pro racer, game designer and Polyphony Digital CEO Kazunori Yamauchi. The full film is available for free in 1080p on YouTube and Vimeo.

With the backing of James Cameron, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jerry Weintraub and others, this documentary series from Showtime casts celebrities as correspondents reporting on the human impact of climate change on our planet.

“What we are now realizing is that we are guided, constrained and even controlled by the systems we have made.” From Kirby Ferguson (Everything is a Remix) comes a documentary miniseries about the forces that shape our lives.

(NSFW) “On the cutting edge, things are always on the move.” Jamie Roberts’ short profile on Dick Jewell, an English videographer, filmmaker and historian “obsessed with movement – both physical and cultural.”

Dean Zimmer has faced physical challenges since birth, but that hasn’t stopped him from being an amazing rock drummer, having opened for acts like Styx, Kansas and Foghat. Documentary by Ross Harris and Stanley Gonzales.

GoPro went to Africa with “lion whisperer” Kevin Richardson to hang out with and learn more about hyenas and lions. Richardson warns us that our vision of Africa as a continent filled with wild animals is fast becoming a fantasy.