A true story is a non-fiction movie or television show that presents facts about a certain topic, person, event, or issue in order to document truths. Documentaries, as opposed to fictitious movies or scripted TV series, aim to convey real-life material and frequently rely on research, interviews, and real footage to provide viewers with a comprehensive grasp of their subjects. The subjects of documentaries can range from historical events and societal issues to environmental phenomena and cultural facets; their general goals are to inform, educating, or inspiring the audience. Documentaries are usually made with a motive to educate or inform people about the truth which hasn't prevailed yet.For accessing a wide range of documentaries, consider exploring the best streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+.

Genres

Expository: Some documentaries are made to inform or educate people on certain topics. the viewers are educated through storytelling and narratives or with explanation. examples include documentaries related to nature.

Observational: In these documentaries the events are captured without any interference. To enhance objectivity, the documentary maker’s presence is reduced. A famous instance is The World at War, a classic series.

Participatory: Here the filmmaker actively engages with the subject. Interaction and interference of the maker make them part of the narrative which gives a deep insight into the subject. Bowling for Columbine is an example of participatory.

Reflexive: Documentaries often reflect on how they are made. In doing so, they ask questions about how reality gets represented, as well as being aware of their creator’s contribution. An iconic instance is Dziga Vertov’s Man with a Movie Camera.

Performative: These documentaries focus on the filmmaker's perspective and personal experience. they often question what reality is and how it's working and are aware of the filmmaker's role. a classic example is Man with a Movie Camera by Dziga Vertov.

Formats and Frame Time

Feature-Length Documentaries: These documentaries are 90-120 minutes long and are perfect for theatre releases. they explain the subject in detail.

Short Documentaries: Here the documentaries are 30-40 minutes long and they are often released at festivals or events. they focus on a particular aspect of a topic.

Docuseries: Often streaming platforms show documentaries divided into several episodes or sections. Different aspects of the subject can be handled in each episode. Some examples are Planet Earth and Making a Murderer.

TV Specials: These are one-off documentaries which  AIR on Television. the length of the documentaries can be  30 minutes to several hours. and they focus on covering current events or special events.

Web Documentaries: Short-formated documentaries are often released for online viewing, and can be seen more on digital streaming platforms.

Interactive Documentaries: Viewers often interact with the content, explore different perspectives and engage with the subject.

Techniques and Styles

Direct Cinema: Minimizing the interference of a filmmaker is a key characteristic of true life.

Cinema Verité: Somewhat like a direct cinema but with more guided interviews.

Narrative Style: Consists of voice-over narration, interviews, actual footage and appearance.

Visual and Audio Style: Documentaries can employ diverse visual methods like slow-moving, time-lapsing and shooting from uncommon positions. Moreover, they may apply soundtracks and background noises to make the story-telling better.

Where to Watch :

Geoflixzplus is one of the best OTT Streaming platforms where one can watch documentaries with different genres and time frames. subscription is charged on a monthly  and yearly basis( $5.95 month/ $60 yearly). Geoflixzplus also offers its viewers blockbuster hits to the original content like never seen before. has a vast variety of content with all types of genres, time frames and cultures. the below-given series can be viewed on geoflixzplus.

Journey to a New Earth

Producer: Peter King, Wes Carter

Director: Darren Doane

Summary:

Darren Doane directs an environmental documentary supported by Peter King and Wes Carter called “Journey to a New Earth”. It primarily focuses on oceans and their conservation. The documentary includes wide-ranging field research, as well as interviews with surfing celebrities, environmentalists and scientists. This documentary is intended to create a global awareness regarding the imminent ecological challenges facing our oceans and planet. By using opinions and arguments from influential people in surfing as well as environmental activism, this film points out how urgent changes are needed if nature is to be preserved for posterity. By combining both expert comments and on-the-ground research, Journey to a New Earth hopes to motivate people to take some action towards making positive changes concerning the environment.

Bad Seed: A Tale of Mischief, Magic and Medical Marijuana

Producer: Shayne Metcalfe

Director: Shayne Metcalfe

Summary:

Bad Seed, produced and directed by Shayne Metcalfe, is a documentary that explores the complex and evolving narrative surrounding marijuana. The film examines how cannabis, once regarded as a beneficial plant, has become stigmatised and controversial over time. Incorporating a diverse range of perspectives, Bad Seed delves into the history and cultural shifts that have shaped the current landscape of marijuana. It provides an intriguing look at how societal attitudes towards the plant have changed, reflecting on both historical vilification and the modern-day transformation of the marijuana industry.Through interviews and expert commentary, the documentary sheds light on the broader implications of these shifts and invites viewers to reconsider preconceived notions about cannabis. The film presents a multifaceted view of marijuana, from its misunderstood past to its rapidly changing status in contemporary society. If you're interested in exploring more films, keep an eye out for movies coming out in 2024, as there will be a variety of new releases across genres and topics.