By Bethany Reay
Whether its online, socially distanced or outdoors, we hope you enjoy this list of anthropology-related films and documentaries that I've compiled, have a great summer (from your social sec!)
· Jane
“Never-before-seen footage shines new light on Jane Goodall's unlikely beginnings, ground-breaking research and enduring legacy as a primatologist.”
· Sex and love
“A look at love in Tokyo explores sexless marriages, skin-touching clubs and sexual or intimacy needs of men and women, plus the country's sex history.”
· The beginning of life. The series
“Using breakthroughs in technology and neuroscience, this series examines how environment affects infants – and how infants can affect our future”.
· Hello privilege. It’s me Chelsea
o “In this documentary, Chelsea Handler explores how white privilege impacts American culture -- and the ways it's benefited her own life and career.”
· Virunga
o “The Oscar-nominated true story of the rangers risking their lives to save Africa’s most precious national park and it’s endangered gorillas”.
(6 month FREE for students: click link above)
· The Link: Uncovering our Earliest Ancestor
o “Narrated by David Attenborough, this is the story of Ida – the oldest complete fossil of a primate ever discovered. With exclusive access to Ida, follow the scientists who believe she could be one of the missing links in the chain of our evolution. Through the remains of one small primate, the film explores the origins of humankind through a fossil that connects to every one of us”.
· Little White Lie
o “Lacey Schwartz grew up convinced she was white. She has copper skin, black curls, and full lips – features which distinguished from her Jewish parents. But it wasn’t until she was 18 that she learned the truth: her real father was black… little white lies tells the compelling story of an uncomfortable, unacknowledged truth”.
· Bias
o “Robin embarks on an investigation into the nature of bias, the science behind it and the cutting-edge research into how it can be mitigated. Is it possible to de-bias our brains or does attempting to do so with technology lead to other problems?”
· In Search of Voodoo
o “captures the vibrant tales of voodoo in West Africa. Following actor Djimon Houson back to Benin, the country of his birth, the film shines a positive light on this way of life that has been misrepresented and diabolized in Western culture for many years”.
· Ghetto Britain: 30 years of race
o “Has Race Relations Act succeeded in embracing the multicultural dream, or backfired?”
· Maralinga
o “Film shining a light on the Maralinga people of South Australia, who have survived aggressive colonisation among other tragedies as they fight to retain their country”.
· Project Nim
o “Powerful documentary about a chimpanzee taken from its mother from birth and taught to communicate with sign language”.
· The Plastic Nile
o “Mon 01/06: An eye-opening investigation into the effects of single use-plastic and how human habits are destroying the world’s longest river”.
· Tribe Vs Pride
o “A look at how the Maasai’s traditions have changed. Instead of proving their courage by killing a lion, young men now compete in a different physical test: the biennial Maasai Olympics”.
(£5.99/month)
· Kingdom of the apes
o “The great apes are fascinating and intelligent animals that share many qualities with humans… We delve deeper into a complex species to reveal their culture and personalitites. Kingdom of the Apes explores the life stories of these powerful creatures, and their struggles for dominance within their clans”.
· Origins: the journey of humankind
o “Origins explores how mankind became modern, in a time-travel adventure delving deep into history to find the pivotal ‘origin’ moments that feuled our evolutionary ascension”.
· Year Million
o “YEAR MILLION explores what it will be like to be human 1 million years from now. Through illustrative, dramatic storytelling, YEAR MILLION paints a visio of humanity through the lens of a typical future American family, which includes a daughter who is part Al. The seires propels us into an odyssey of unfathomable human choices and predicts how every aspect of technology may affect our lives”.
· Wild Japan Snow Monkeys
o “Journey deep into the snow-bound mountains of central Japan and meet Hiro, a spunky young snow monkey whose charming personality sparks an unlikely friendship. Join Hiro and his extended family on a year-long adventure as they brave fierce storms, experience the birth of new life, and face the tragedy of death. It’s an intimate, immersive tale of family, friendship, and strife in the heart of the Japanese Alps.”
· Jane
o “Never-before-seen footage shines new light on Jane Goodall's unlikely beginnings, ground-breaking research and enduring legacy as a primatologist.”
· Chimpanzee
o “Disneynature presents a remarkable story of individual triumph and family bonds in the African rainforest. Meet adorable young chimp Oscar – and his fellow mayhem-creating buddies – who see their world as their playground. Full of curiosity, joy and a love for mimicking others, these are some of the most extraordinary personalities in the animal kingdom.”
Relax and enjoy!