Watching documentaries on YouTube is a great way to pass the time while making us think about important issues. Additionally, documentary filmmaking has improved significantly over the past few years. Whether you recently discovered the world of documentaries or are simply looking for a thought-provoking watch, you can find a wide selection of documentaries for free on YouTube.
From the scandalous lives of our favourite celebrities to world history, YouTube is home to informative, educative and entertaining documentaries. Here are some great documentaries you can watch on YouTube.
The World Of China’s President Xi Jinping
Under the leadership of President Xi Jinping, China has grown to become one of the most powerful countries in the world. The President’s plan to make China a leading world power coupled with his sober and strategic leadership style has seen the country shake up the global political balance like never before. This documentary shows just how President Xi has steadily developed the country since he assumed power in 2013.
The Marathon (Cultivation)
There’s nothing better than a weed documentary. Whether you’re a fan of the plant or not, it’s always entertaining to watch weed content. Marathon Cultivation is a documentary about the late Nipsey Hussle’s career and weed business. Nipsey Hussle was not only a beloved rapper but also a serial entrepreneur. He ran a number of businesses including a cannabis business. The documentary shows how he and his brother, Samiel Asghedom, ventured into the weed business, developed a weed strain called Marathon OG, and opened a weed dispensary.
Wildlife and Green Treasures of the Red Island
Madagascar is one of the most known places on earth thanks to its mysterious and exotic nature. Unlike neighbouring islands like Seychelles and Zanzibar which boast white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Madagascar’s beauty lies a few kilometres from the coast. It’s home to some of the most unique creatures, landscapes and cultures that attract adventure lovers from all over the world. This documentary offers a look at the inhabitants of this ecological sanctuary including the famous lemurs.
Who Owns Water
Climate change has had a disastrous impact on every aspect of life including the most important one – water. Due to rising temperatures, we are using more water which is drying up our reservoirs and investors are already capitalizing on the scarcity. Some have even predicted that water will be the new gold in the new future begging the question, what will happen when we run out of water? We might never know but this documentary is an eye-opener of what the future may look like.
The Dirty Business Of Beauty
In the world of beauty, everything is perfect and glamorous but many dirty things go on behind closed doors, especially when it comes to the production of beauty products. The beauty industry relies on the minerals mined in third-world countries to produce these beauty products. However, the miners are subjected to hostile working conditions with very little pay while the beauty industry rakes in billions of dollars. An investigative journalist travelled to these countries to document how such miners felt about their working conditions.
The Tiny World Of Insects
For nature lovers, this documentary offers a breathtaking, entertaining and informative look at the life of insects. These tiny creatures are often overlooked but they have a huge impact on the environment. For instance, they pollinate plants and speed up the decomposition process of dead animals and plants. Their world is just as impressive if not more impressive than the wild animals that are highly documented.
Dark Web
Ever since the inception of the internet, there have been so many rumours about the dark web yet no one seems to know how to what it’s all about raising the question whether it’s as bad as it’s said to be or it’s just overhyped. The truth is there is a dark side to the internet where a lot of illegal and dangerous activities take place. This documentary gives us an idea of what that side of the internet is like.
13th
Filmmaker Ava Duvernay is no stranger to documentary filmmaking. She is behind some of the best movies and documentaries that expose systemic racism in America. The 13th is one of her most popular works that showcases how the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution, which was meant to abolish slavery, is used to incarcerate black people on a mass scale. The documentary features interviews with activists, politicians and scholars who provide a wealth of knowledge on the matter.
Boss Women: Anna Wintour
Have you ever wondered how to run one of the biggest fashion magazines in the world? Most, if not all, fashion lovers know the name Anna Wintour. She is the woman behind Vogue Magazine and has been the Chief Editor for longer than some of us have been alive. However, she has managed to lead a highly secretive life and only gives the world a glimpse of what she wants us to see. In this documentary, we get a rare look at her work life and how she conducts her day-to-day activities in the office.
Stressed
We experience stress almost on a daily basis yet, we never really understand it. This award-winning documentary explores the history and science behind emotional stress. Scientists use participants to analyze how our brain responds to different types of stress including stress caused by physical illness and past traumas. The documentary helps viewers understand the effect of stress and how treatment is not only beneficial but necessary for people suffering from stress.