Best looking documentaries

[Patryk_Rebisz]

Anyone can share what they consider great looking docs?
For me:
"Tetris: From Russia with Love" (for moody lighting of the interviews and creative b-roll): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn9dO_iL7lo
"James Burke : Connections" (for purposeful use of dollies) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcSxL8GUn-g
"Baraka" (for its understanding that if each show is not simply awesome the spirit of the film will not come through): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEyguwQalCI
"Sweetgrass" (for the believe of the camera person that they found their shots and letting it play out): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SL2r2OMcLOw
"Fala - Jarocin '85" (for taking the effort to use jibs and stedicams): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8NXX6eDekU
"Talking Heads" (for tasteful naturalistic lighting): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66CbSfuyxTU
"Rivers and Tides" (for understanding that without lugging all that heavy gear to those remote location they don't have a movie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT3lveJmjY8
"Babies" (for the persistence in framing and lighting despite of uncooperative subject matter): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vupEpNjCuY

[MPB]

Manda Bala

[David Topete]

I've always liked the look of "This is Spinal Tap" even though it's a fake documentary.

[Patryk_Rebisz]

Manda Bala

I like how they use film to saturate the colors. I also like how they use double shot of the interviewer&translator in one frame.

[Patryk_Rebisz]

I've always liked the look of "This is Spinal Tap" even though it's a fake documentary.

What's visually interesting in this doc?

[MPB]

I like how they use film to saturate the colors. I also like how they use double shot of the interviewer&translator in one frame.

me too. i suspect they placed them far enough apart that they could get a clean single with that wide format. but then they went for the two shot as well. it looks great, and it's very effective.

[Patryk_Rebisz]

No cinematic love for docs out there?

[simonpwood]

I am partial to the old Italian Mondo documentaries from the 1960's (Mondo Cane, Mondo Cane 2, Africa Addio). They mixed a lot of genuine footage with fabricated scenes, along with a lot of gonzo footage (you can't be sure if they were genuine or not; probably 'creatively massaged' scenes). Those docs would often shock with the most grotesque stories; but in between you would sometimes get the most amazing cinematic scenes. The contrast between beauty and beastly made for an interesting viewing experience.

[David Topete]

What's visually interesting in this doc?

I've always been keen on "natural" looking films. This film just has a very gritty natural feel to it. Reminds me of the work by Haskell Wexler-- which I love. I wouldn't say it's the "best looking" but that fact that it doesn't look too great makes it look "good" and works for the film. Having been shot on 16mm also helps too.

[refocusedmedia]

I'm particularly fond of this one both for it's subject matter and it's cinematography: