Courtesy

One of the most common tips for storytellers is to “write what you know.” While this is often because our personal experiences allow us to give a more detailed and truthful account of events, it is also because most of the greatest stories lie in reality. The same goes for film.

Sure, there’s nothing like an out of this world sci-fi flick, an SFX-heavy action blockbuster, or a comedy so jam-packed with witty quips that it could only be scripted in a writer’s room. But, when it comes to raw, impactful stories that stick with you, some of the best films are undoubtedly documentaries. You can chalk it up to our inclination for empathizing with real human beings, or just our society’s obsession with reality TV—it’s just the cold, hard truth.