5 Must-Watch Conscious Documentaries

This March, we’ve rounded up five documentaries that made us sit up and take notice. From mindfulness to sustainability – these thought-provoking films share insight into important issues of our time. So get into your pajamas, and turn tonight’s binge into a moment of inspiration:

01. Brene Brown: The Call to Courage

 In this soul-stirring documentary, Brene Brown leverages the power of inspirational storytelling to change the way we think about our lives. Brown urges us to choose courage over comfort, in a world defined by fear and uncertainty. “Nothing is scarier than getting to the end of our lives, and having to ask ourselves – what if I had showed up?” she says. – Available to stream on Netflix here.

 02. Before the Flood 

 This National Geographic production features Leonardo DiCaprio – a United Nations Messenger of Peace, on a journey across five continents to witness climate change firsthand. Interacting with scientists, politicians and thought leaders on the frontlines of climate research, he discovers hidden truths and lies on the subject. Before the Flood is a wake up call that imparts a genuine sense of hope, in an age full of doomsday prophecies. – Available to rent/buy on Amazon, iTunes or Google Play here.

 03. The True Cost

 Produced by Livia Firth and directed by Andrew Morgan, The True Cost explores the dark side of the fashion industry. “This is a story about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world.” Uncovering perspectives from couture designers and sweatshop workers, it forces us to consider the environmental, economic and human impact of our buying choices. – Available to stream online here.

 04. Period. End of Sentence.

 Set in rural India, this Oscar-winning documentary tells the story of a group of women who have quietly started a revolution against the taboo of menstruation. Breaking through deeply entrenched shame associated with periods, these women work towards financial independence by creating a low-cost sanitary napkin machine. The film has had global resonance, empowering women to speak up and spark change in their communities. – Available to stream on Netflix here.

05. Minimalism: A Documentary About the Important Things

Made by the creators of the website The Minimalists, this documentary recounts the personal journeys of two men shedding patterns fuelled by consumerism and the endless pursuit of ‘more’. In conversation with entrepreneurs, artists, scientists and others who have embraced a minimalist philosophy and simpler way of life, they explore the question of what really makes us happy. – Available to stream on Netflix here.

BONUS: Abstract: The Art of Design – This phenomenal Netflix docu-series gets inside the brains of our time’s most revolutionary creatives, exploring their journeys from costume design to architecture and beyond.