Sarah Palin: You Betcha!
In his newest documentary Sarah Palin: You Betcha!, award-winning director Nick Broomfield heads to snowy Alaska to meet Palin and interview her friends and family for a new perspective on this much talked about political figure.
To celebrate the release of Sarah Palin: You Betcha! Released on DVD 15th October, we take a look at some of the best and most unforgettable documentaries out there today.
- Kurt & Courtney
Broomfield’s 1998 documentary Kurt and Courtney investigates the tragic suicide of Nirvana lead singer Kurt Cobain and the allegations that his wife Courtney Love’s actually murdered him.
The documentary sorts through media coverage of the events and delves into Cobain and Love’s regular heroin abuse.
- Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer
This is Broomfield’s second documentary on Aileen Carol Wuornos, a highway prostitute who was executed in 2002 for killing seven men in the state of Florida. The film explores Wuornos’ declining mental health in the days leading up to her execution.
- Bowling for Columbine
Michael Moore’s 2002 documentary suggests the causes of the Columbine High School massacre and explores America’s growing problem of gun violence.
A memorable scene features Moore opening a bank account in Michigan so he could receive his free hunting rifle.
- Super Size Me
Morgan Spurlock directs and stars in this 2004 documentary about the influence of the fast food industry and the dire health consequences associated with fast food.
The film also documents Spurlock’s declining physical health and psychological state after he commits to eating nothing but McDonald’s food for 30 days.
- An Inconvenient Truth
An Inconvenient Truth documents former Vice President Al Gore’s campaign to educate America about global warming via comprehensive slideshow.
Gore’s passion for the cause really drives the film, which has been credited for raising international public awareness of global warming and climate control.
- Biggie and Tupac
In this documentary, Broomfield tries to tackle one of the biggest unsolved crimes ever with the deaths of rap icons Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur.
The East Coast/West Coast rivalry that spurred in the late 90s led to both rappers murdered with no suspects despite numerous people accusing the head of Death Row Records and Tupac’s trusted friend Suge Knight of orchestrating the event.
- The Imposter
A documentary centered on a young French confidence man, Frederic Bourdin, who convinces a grieving Texas family that he is their 16-year-old son Nicohlas, who went missing for 3 years.
Bourdin, who turned out to have a long record of impersonating various different children, real or imaginary, embellished his claim to be Nicholas by alleging that he had been kidnapped for purposes of sexual abuse by U.S. military personnel and transported from Texas to Spain.
The film raises, but does not resolve, the question of how the family came so readily to accept the impersonation.
- Senna
Senna is a British documentary about the life and death of Brazilian Formula One racing driver Ayrton Senna, who won the F1 three times before his death at age 34.
The film captures the emotional turmoil of Senna’s family as personal home videos are shown as well as interviews from family and friends.
The film is so moving by expressing Senna’s sublime and patriotic side that you’ll be sad to see it all tragically end.
- Exit through the Gift Shop
This 2010 film about elusive street artist Banksy has been hailed by critics and even nominated for Best Documentary at the 2011 Academy Awards.
Exit through the Gift Shop is the story of French shop owner and amateur filmmaker Thierry Guetta as he documents Banksy and many other infamous graffiti artists at work.
To protect his anonymity, Banksy refused to be on camera unless his face was blacked out. Go see it for the story, go see it for the art, just go see it.
- Sarah Palin: You Betcha!
In his latest instalment, Nick Broomfield heads to Alaska to find the real Sarah Palin and meet the friends, family and colleagues that gave their heart, soul and belief to the charismatic, charming, intoxicating ex-hockey mum. But it’s not all plain sailing.
People are frightened to talk, and Wasilla makes Twin Peaks look like a walk in the park - a devout evangelical community of 6,000 people and the crystal meth capital of Alaska.
Sarah Palin: You Betcha is released on DVD 15th October 2012, from Universal Pictures (UK)