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Six Great Documentaries That Celebrate The Eccentric Individuals We Share The World With

Six Great Documentaries That Celebrate The Eccentric Individuals We Share The World With
In the mood to meet some quirky characters and loveable oddballs? We've got you covered.
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Last week, we gave you a list of uplifting documentaries that make us feel better about this big spinning rock we're all on. If you're looking for even more reasons to love life here on Earth, we've got another list of brilliant picks below.

From a one-of-a-kind street performer to a town with dog mayors, these documentaries explore the unique individuals and communities that make this planet such an interesting place.


'The Parking Lot Movie' (2010)

This quirky documentary follows the attendants of a parking lot in Charlottesville, Virginia, between 2007 and 2010. It's not a story about employees unwaveringly dedicated to their role though; these parking attendants are admirably unbothered about the job and make no attempt to hide the contempt they have for the drivers that use their lot. They're a group of artists, students, smart alecks and slackers — and for them, the customer is never right.



While the documentary's name might not indicate the most interesting premise, "The Parking Lot Movie" is a fascinating and very funny study of American life, the inescapable nature of capitalism, the unseriousness of certain jobs and the valuable lessons you can only learn by working in a public-facing role.

You can watch the full documentary on YouTube here.


'Gates of Heaven' (1978)

This documentary about the US pet cemetery business was celebrated director Errol Morris's first feature-length film. Consisting solely of interviews with its subjects, "Gates of Heaven" features Floyd "Mac" McClure, a man on a lifelong mission to provide a respectful resting place for much-loved pets; McClure's rival, the manager of a local rendering plant; grieving pet owners; and the father-and-son trio of another, more successful pet memorial park.



While it might be easy for some to dismiss pet owners like these as overly sentimental oddballs, it's impossible not to be touched by McClure's genuine affection for animals, and his dedication to giving them the same love in death that they give us in life.


'Grizzly Man' (2005)

Probably the best-known film on this list, Werner Herzog's "Grizzy Man" introduces us to Timothy Treadwell, who spent more than a decade living with wild bears in the Alaskan wilderness and was, eventually, killed by one of the animals he loved so much.



Treadwell is a quirky, fun, undeniably likeable guy, but the 100-plus hours of video footage he filmed before his death paint a more intimate portrait of the man; his thoughts, fears and how he came to favor a life with wild animals over one among other humans.


'Rabbit Hash: Center of the Universe' (2004)

Rabbit Hash is a small town in Kentucky that exclusively elects dogs as its mayors. That's right: since the 1998 inauguration of its first mayor, Goofy Borneman-Calhoun, every publicly elected head of Rabbit Hash has been a canine.



"Rabbit Hash: Center of the Universe" takes place after Goofy's death three years into his term, and consists of charming interviews with the town's people about their unusual tradition and everyday life. It's clear that for the residents of Rabbit Hash, there really is no place better; life is simple, the people are happy and the politicians don't (and can't) lie.

You can watch the whole thing on YouTube here.


'Thoth' (2001)

Ancient Egyptian deity Thoth was god of — among other things — wisdom, knowledge, science, magic and art. It's fitting, then, that the subject of this documentary, street performer S. K. Thoth, chose him as his namesake.



The film chronicles the life of Thoth, who calls himself a "prayformance artist," as he performs his wildly impressive, self-written opera — featuring violin, dance and astonishing vocals in a language he invented — to the people of New York City. Through interviews and footage of his performances, we are given a glimpse into Thoth's fascinating life and inspiring way of seeing the world around him.


'Louis Theroux's Weird Weekends: UFOs' (1998)

Between 1998 and 2000, documentary maker Louis Theroux's "Weird Weekends" series took him around the world to meet its wackiest groups and weirdest individuals. One episode, titled "UFOs," brings him to several people in the US who believe in extraterrestrials — including the particularly eccentric Reverend Short, who claims he can host an alien called Korton using his human body. As you'll see in the video above, it's quite something to behold.



Want more Louis Theroux? Check out the six most wince-inducing moments from his documentaries here.



[Image credit: YouTube]

Comments

  1. Frank Johnson 7 months ago

    These documentaries offer heartwarming glimpses into the extraordinary people and communities that enrich our world, reminding us of the beauty and diversity of life on Earth.


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