5 to try: real-life documentaries

We admit to secretly liking an action-overloaded blockbuster or cheesy rom-com as much as the next person, but in our opinion, nothing beats a good documentary. Insightful, edgy and sometimes shocking, a decent real-life movie can stay with you for life, open your eyes to a topic you previously knew nothing about, and provide excellent dinner-party conversation. What better time to broaden your knowledge than during your Ramadan downtime? Here, we check out Oscar-nominated filmmaker Werner Herzog’s latest feature, which is now available on DVD, and dig out four more of our favourites.

Into the Abyss (2011)
A revealing insight into capital punishment laws, Werner Herzog’s latest documentary focuses on two Texan prison inmates (one of whom is currently on death row) who were charged with triple murder when they were 18 years old. Herzog is known for his slow-burning filmmaking style, often letting the camera roll to capture his subjects uninhibited. His eerie monotone interview voice adds to the sombre feel of the film, in which he shows both sides to the story, that of the victims’ families and the man on death row.
From Dhs48, www.amazon.com.