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Documentaries That Will Change Your Perspectives

Documentaries | Eat Yourself Green

This is clearly a non-food post. But I’m sure you’ll find it as relevant as a healthy green smoothie.

I’m a huge fan of Documentaries. They are not only a great source of information but they are also easier to assimilate as they breakdown a subject that is usually overseen but never really explained deeply to the most of us.

It’s not unusual for me to feel like I have to take action about something that I just watched on a documentary and I think that this is the great achievement of a doc. To instigate change. And it was because of a documentary that I simply decided to go vegetarian overnight (literally).

Documentaries That Will Change Your Perspectives

I’m a firm believer that knowledge is something that must be shared. It’s the only asset that no one can take away from us when everything else is lost. So, I’d like to share some of my favourite ‘flicks’ and help spread the word on important matters that some times slip from us while we are living our lives in this crazy busy world.

So, here they are:

Ilhas das Flores – (Island of Flowers)

(click on the links for more info)
Perhaps, the first documentary I’ve ever watched, still at primary (or high) school. I gave me such a big reality check that I still cringe every time I have to throw something out. It’s a good reflection to our daily lives and somehow, it is still a very modern movie even though it was produced in 1990. Worth the watch (specially because it’s only 12 min long). This short was made in Porto Alegre, my hometown, so this one hits close to home.

Food Inc.

This movie has to be in this list. One of the most praised docs about the food industry brings up the reality we ignore. After this very movie, I decided to give up meat and started my path on learning how to be a more conscious consumer.

Food Matters

Food Matters brings out the best of the forgotten knowledge we had on food and how our views on illness and wellness have changed over the centuries.

Earthlings

Shocking and distressing, this documentary has led the change on how many people relate to their food. The sad truth behind farm factories, cosmetic testing, clothing and entertainment. Trigger warning: graphic images.

Hungry for Change

From the same creators as Food Matters, they offer more info on how the diet industry preys on consumers to keep them coming back.

No Impact Man

Fantastic doc displaying the change on a men’s (and his family’s) lifestyle aiming towards producing no waste for a whole year.

Fed Up

Fed Up shows the conflicting interests of the Big Food Industry and the Government in protecting the health of the population as the same time as they protect their profits.

Mission Blue

The direct link between the health of our oceans and the life in planet. Eye-opening watch with some cruel reality and what we can do about it.

The True Cost

Do you know where your clothes come from? Do you know who makes them? Do you know the reality behind your cheap fashion? Find out in this movie.

The Cove

The sad reality of a little town in Japan where dolphins are slaughtered to be sold for their meat (although it is laced with mercury) and the sadder destiny of those destined to go to water themed parks around the world.

Blackfish

If you love seeing smiley dolphins and killer whales doing tricks in a ‘gigantic’ tank. Think again. Blackfish shows the disturbing life of extremely conscious and intelligent animals when confined in small pools for our amusement.

Cowspiracy

Such a great documentary on why the Food and Animal Agriculture Industry wants to hide their responsibility on the greatest environmental issues our world faces, such as: deforestation, world hunger, animal extinction, water scarcity, ocean dead zones and so on.

Rotten

Amazing documentary highlighting the links between disease and diet. An eye-opening watch to help you make the connection between health and diet.

13th

13th may not talk about food or waste, but it explores how modern slavery works towards keeping Black and people of colour imprisoned and underprivileged. Essential watch, specially to white people who need to understand how our society still promotes racism.

Rubber Jellyfish

This doc made by an Australian mom sheds light in a problem most of us never thought about before. When balloons blow or explode and end up in the ocean, they look surprisingly like jellyfish. Now you may see the difference, but turtles don’t.

2040

A new future is possible with technologies that exist today! So why not imagine (and work for) a world that is safer, better and more equal? That’s what 2040 the movie talks about. A bright and encouraging message of hope for our future.

Stink!

We know pollution is toxic but what if you found out that what you have in your home may be just as toxic? Stink! is a great doc about the dangers of toxic chemicals that we are in contact without even noticing.

The Great Hack

The Great Hack dissects the issues that we face with social media being used to manipulate the masses and change even the path of events like the US elections. Such a great watch to discuss how social media is affecting our lives.

The Social Dilemma

According to The Conversation: ‘The Social Dilemma focuses on how big social media companies manipulate users by using algorithms that encourage addiction to their platforms. It also shows, fairly accurately, how platforms harvest personal data to target users with ads – and have so far gone largely unregulated.’

Kiss The Ground

A great doco about soil regeneration and how a healthy soil can help us combat Climate Change and make a sustainable stride towards human sustenance in food production.

Documentaries | Eat Yourself Green

Pin this for later!

Although these documentaries may be quite saddening in a way, I highly recommend everyone to watch them. This planet is ours to take care of and it is our responsibility to take the matters into our own hands.

As consumers and citizens, specially privileged ones, we are the responsible for the directions that companies and our government will take and we have the right for equality, safer working conditions, respect towards the animals and specially more conscious use of our land and oceans. We can start a movement, every single one of us can.

If you want things to change, start with yourself. You are a consumer, so be a more conscious one. You are a citizen, so be more responsible for your acts and reclaim the rights you have, support the underprivileged. If everyone of us can start by simply doing small things like: educating yourselves on inequality, systemic racism/sexism/ableism, reducing your carbon footprint, don’t support from big corporations, buy local, meet your farmer, buy organic, grown your own food, don’t buy processed food, don’t support circus or animal entertainment…the options are endless and you don’t have to do it all, just start step-by-step and you’ll be doing the world some good.

Share this post, start a movement of change.
“Be the change you wish to see in the world” ~ Ghandi

Peace and love,

Larissa x

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1 Comment

  • Reply
    theteenagerblogs
    12/09/2015 at 1:40 am

    Reblogged this on and commented:
    Yes, I have seen some of these and I got to say they really changed my perspective. The food inc and supersize me were very good choices. Also another documentary a little more in depth to food, watch from farm to fridge. The video is a bit gruesome at times so be prepared.

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