The weekend is nearly upon us and if you’re in the market for some exciting documentaries, Showmax has an exciting lineup of HBO documentaries worth adding to your binge list.
Check them out.
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ALLEN V. FARROW | First on Showmax | Binge now
Co-directed by Oscar nominees Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering (The Invisible War), Allen v. Farrow goes behind the years of sensational headlines to reveal the private story of one of Hollywood’s most notorious and public scandals: the accusation of sexual abuse against four-time Oscar winner Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris, Hannah and her Sisters, Annie Hall) involving Dylan, his then seven-year-old daughter with Golden Globe winner Mia Farrow (Rosemary’s Baby, Hannah and Her Sisters); their subsequent custody trial; the revelation of Allen’s relationship with Farrow’s daughter, Soon-Yi; and the controversial aftermath in the years that followed.
Along with new investigative work — pieced together via intimate home movie footage, court documents, police evidence, revelatory videotapes, and never-before-heard audio tapes — HBO’s four-part documentary series includes exclusive interviews on the subject with Mia, Dylan and Ronan Farrow, family friend Carly Simon, and prosecutor Frank Maco, among others.
Allen v. Farrow also examines the effects of trauma on a family, and features prominent cultural voices exploring Allen’s body of work in a broader context and reflecting on how public revelations about the personal lives of artists can lead to re-evaluations of their work.
Allen V. Farrow has an 82% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with The LA Times hailing it as “a comprehensive, convincing and ultimately devastating documentary… The story of the girl who spoke out against her dad, was silenced, lived in shame for decades and decided it was time to speak truth to power.”
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CRAZY, NOT INSANE | First on Showmax | Stream now
What makes killers kill?
Crazy, Not Insane examines controversial forensic psychiatrist Dorothy Otnow Lewis’ research into the psychology of some of the world’s most notorious murderers. Drawing on chilling videotaped footage of death row interviews and case studies, from Arthur Shawcross to Ted Bundy, she challenges the notion that murderers are born and not made.
The HBO documentary is narrated by Oscar winner Laura Dern (Big Little Lies, Marriage Story) and written and directed by Oscar winner Alex Gibney (Taxi to the Dark Side, The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley, Enron: The Smartest Guys in The Room and much more).
Screened at Venice, Crazy, Not Insane has a 94% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As The Hollywood Reporter says, “An urgent film, it’s filled with chilling detail and propelled by clear-eyed compassion… As disturbing as the movie can be, there’s so much illuminating intelligence at work that it never feels oppressive…”
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THE WEIGHT OF GOLD | Stream now on Showmax Pro; coming to all Showmax subscribers from 26 March 2021
In April 2017, Emmy-winning documentary filmmaker Brett Rapkin conducted an emotional interview with Olympic bobsled captain Steven Holcomb. Only days later, Steven committed suicide, leaving Brett with the difficult decision of either scrapping his documentary entirely or broadening its subject matter. He chose the latter, honouring Steve’s memory and legacy by shining a light on the staggering number of Olympians struggling with mental health issues of their own.
In The Weight of Gold, five-time Olympian Michael Phelps claims that about 80% of Olympians experience post-Games depression. For elite athletes who have spent every moment of their lives preparing for their moment on the Olympic stage, what happens after the Olympic Village doors close is often unclear. As three-time speed skating Olympian Apolo Ohno puts it, “It’s gold and then what?”
The Weight Of Gold has a 94% critics rating on Rotten Tomatoes, where the critics consensus says, “Anchored by a disarmingly frank Michael Phelps, The Weight of Gold provides a sobering testimonial to how the world’s most celebrated athletes are still vulnerable to mental health struggles.”
Showmax Pro documentaries on Brad Binder, Jùrgen Klopp & Kobe Bryant
Missing live sport and packed crowds? This month Showmax Pro offers sports fans documentaries about sporting icons Brad Binder, Jürgen Klopp and Kobe Bryant. Brad Binder: Reflections 2.0 follows the first South African to win a MotoGP championship race, and take home Rookie of the Year; Klopp – The Inside Story traces the extraordinary story of Liverpool’s beloved coach; while Kobe: Life of a Legend remembers Kobe Bryant, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Brad Binder: Reflections 2.0 and Klopp – The Inside Story are now streaming on Showmax Pro, where Kobe: Life of a Legend will premiere on 26 March 2021. Klopp – The Inside Story will be available to all Showmax subscribers from 29 March 2021, with Brad Binder: Reflections 2.0 available on the platform from 2 April and Kobe: Life of a Legend from 16 April 2021.
