15 Documentaries That Help You Understand the World Right Now

This year saw its share of incredible documentaries, but in 2013 the stand-outs are films that help flesh out the way we see the world. Below are fifteen docs we suggest seeing, from the grisly to uplifting. Click on the name of the film to read its review.

Follow @VoiceFilmClub

Subscribe to the Voice Film Club podcast

Scroll down to view images

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer proves punk lives.

Pussy Riot: A Punk Prayer proves punk lives.

1 of 15

The Armstrong Lie is a brilliantly executed "myth-buster."

The Armstrong Lie is a brilliantly executed "myth-buster."

2 of 15

The Act of Killing is a masterpiece of murder and the movies.

The Act of Killing is a masterpiece of murder and the movies.

3 of 15

Blackfish is a vital look at orcas in captivity.

Blackfish is a vital look at orcas in captivity.

4 of 15

Twenty Feet from Stardom, like all powerful movies, sparks contemplation of our own lives.

Twenty Feet from Stardom, like all powerful movies, sparks contemplation of our own lives.

5 of 15

After Tiller visits three clinics performing late-term abortions.

After Tiller visits three clinics performing late-term abortions.

6 of 15

The Unknown Known is Errol Morris's fitfully illuminating exit interview with Donald Rumsfeld.

The Unknown Known is Errol Morris's fitfully illuminating exit interview with Donald Rumsfeld.

7 of 15

The Square's activists return to Tahrir

The Square's activists return to Tahrir

8 of 15

Frederick Wiseman's At Berkeley highlights the need for great public universities.

Frederick Wiseman's At Berkeley highlights the need for great public universities.

9 of 15

Links between American Evangelicals and Uganda's violent homophobia are explored in God Loves Uganda.

Links between American Evangelicals and Uganda's violent homophobia are explored in God Loves Uganda.

10 of 15

We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks can't get a fix on its thorny subject matter.

We Steal Secrets: The Story of WikiLeaks can't get a fix on its thorny subject matter.

11 of 15

Linsanity keeps its cardboard hero two-dimensional.

Linsanity keeps its cardboard hero two-dimensional.

12 of 15

An animated marvel, Is the Man Who Is Tall Happy? will set your brain off like fireworks.

13 of 15

Caucus is an irresistible crash course in why Republicans lose national elections.

Caucus is an irresistible crash course in why Republicans lose national elections.

14 of 15

More Than Honey is a delightful journey into the shrinking world of bees.

More Than Honey is a delightful journey into the shrinking world of bees.

15 of 15