In recent years, two types of documentaries have become more popular. The first is similar to reality TV and focuses on fascinating real-life crime stories. Such documentaries feature interviews, experts, and old footage. The second type is celebrity documentaries. They are more well-edited and give a closer look at the lives of famous people.
The Oscar nominated documentaries 2024 take a leave from mainstream appeal. They focus on lesser-known people and stories. For instance, one of these nominees follows a Ugandan pop star turned politician. The same is followed by the Oscar-nominated short Documentaries 2024 category. Some people argue that these nominations are a reaction against successful trends. However, one thing’s for sure: these Oscar-nominated documentaries in 2024 bring essential improvements in non-fiction storytelling. All the Oscar-nominated documentaries in 2024 are worth watching.
Which Are the Oscar-Nominated Documentaries in 2024?
The five nominees and their worthy plots and trailers are listed below.
1. Four Daughters
Films like The Act of Killing and Under the Sun creatively use filmmaking techniques to tell stories. The same is seen in Four Daughters. This documentary strikes a balance between reality and acting. It shows a Tunisian family. They revisit a difficult time in their lives. Actors join them to help tell their stories from different perspectives. It is a great watch that makes the family’s journey feel real.
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2.Bobi Wine: The People’s President
Bobi Wine is a documentary that focuses on the journey of a pop star turned activist in Uganda. He fights for democracy against a long-standing autocratic government. The film follows Bobi Wine from the beginning of his political career. It shows the violence and challenges he and his supporters faced. The Oscar documentary lets you experience the struggle for democracy and freedom of the press. The experiences are relatable to audiences not only in Uganda but also around the world.
3.20 Days in Mariupol
The Associated Press and Frontline produced it. It follows Ukrainian journalist Mstyslav Chernov and his colleague Evgeniy Maloletka. They record Russia’s invasion of Mariupol. They have interviews with civilians who witnessed the invasion. The documentary shows their mixed reactions. Some people see journalist Chernov as their only connection to the outside world. The Oscar nominated documentary brings insight into the harsh realities of war and invasion.
4. To Kill a Tiger
To Kill a Tiger tells the story of a 13-year-old girl named Kiran and her family. They want justice after a violent attack. It is similar to Bobi Wine’s fight for change in Uganda. Kiran’s father, Ranjit, believes in making a difference starting from their community. At first, he faces challenges. However, Ranjit remains hopeful that their struggle will bring change for other women and girls. The film especially talks about the importance of privacy and asks viewers to be mindful of this. It was also recently made available on Netflix.
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5.The Eternal Memory
This Oscar nominated documentary shows a Chilean journalist Augusto Góngora and his partner, Paulina Urrutia. They deal with his Alzheimer’s disease. The film is a mix of past and present. It shows Góngora’s career and covers Chile’s history and struggles. Additionally, it is similar to the American Symphony, in which musician Jon Batiste composed the music while his wife fought cancer. Both films portray the journey of couples facing illness but not giving up on love.
Which of Oscar-nominated Documentaries is Expected to Win the Race?
The competition remains wide open, as with Oscar nominated short documentaries in 2024. However, 20 Days in Mariupol is the strongest nominee. It is a highly praised documentary about Ukraine. It also resonates with time. The recent DGA win of 20 Days in Mariupol also makes it a likely winner among the Oscar nominated documentaries 2024. But we can’t overlook Four Daughters and To Kill a Tiger. They provide a tough competition in this race.
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