Documentaries

Essential documentaries for civic education — exploring surveillance, propaganda, war, investigative journalism, and the fight for democracy.

Citizenfour

Laura Poitras' Oscar-winning documentary following Edward Snowden as he reveals the NSA's global surveillance programs. A landmark film about whistleblowing, privacy, and press freedom.

The Fog of War

Errol Morris's documentary featuring Robert McNamara, former Secretary of Defense, reflecting on the lessons of war — from the firebombing of Tokyo to the Cuban Missile Crisis to Vietnam.

Dark Money

A documentary adaptation of Jane Mayer's investigative book tracing how the Koch brothers and their network of billionaires reshaped American politics through secret campaign contributions.

Merchants of Doubt

A documentary based on the book by Naomi Oreskes and Erik Conway, revealing how a group of scientists and advisers have worked to mislead the public about evidence on issues from tobacco to climate change.

All the President's Men

The classic film dramatizing how Washington Post reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein broke the Watergate scandal that brought down President Nixon. A masterclass in investigative journalism.

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