Top documentaries coming to Netflix in November: 'A Lion in the House' to 'Shawn Mendes: In Wonder', take your pick
Netflix has been producing highly acclaimed documentaries and docuseries for a while now. It has come to a point, where people who were originally anticipating movies and series, have also started to await the documentaries the streaming giant has to offer. For the coming month, Netflix has announced a few documentaries - from medical themes to that of the world of entertainment. Here are the top documentaries headed your way.
'A Lion in the House'
Release date: November 10, 2020.
Synopsis: This lauded documentary follows the lives of five young people as they deal with the harsh reality of childhood cancer. Ranging from ages 6 to 19, the kids in the film have their own ways of coping with the disease, often approaching their situations with courage and humor. Also featuring the children's parents, who must contend with the emotional and financial tolls of seeing their kids through treatment, the production presents incredibly difficult battles with a formidable disease.
The series is directed by Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert. It first aired in January 2006 at the Sundance Film Festival and since then has aired in Greece in 2007 at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, in Iceland the same year at the Reykjavik International Film Festival. The limited series now coming to Netflix has won a Primetime Emmy for Exceptional Merit in Nonfiction Filmmaking with producers Bognar and Reichert, executive producer Sally Jo Fifer and series Lois Vossen serving as recipients in 2007. That same year the series was also nominated for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Documentary with Bognar and Reichert as nominees. In 2006, 'A Lion in the House' was nominated for a Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival with Bognar and Reichert as nominees and also a Village Voice Film Poll for Best Undistributed Film at 5th place.
The series stars the following brave souls, Justin Ashcraft, Adam Ashcraft, Dale Ashcraft, Debbie Ashcraft, Jennifer Roller and many more. The doctors starring are Dr Robert Arceci, Dr Victor Balaso, Dr Cyndi DeLaat, Dr Malini Gillen, Dr Fred Huang and Dr Paul Jublinsky. Watch the trailer below, its synopsis reads, "Filmed across six years, the film is a present-tense journey, placing viewers side by side with the families, as they face the toughest of questions and find courage in the hardest hours."
'Trial 4'
Release date: November 11, 2020.
Synopsis: According to Netflix, "The eight-episode docuseries TRIAL 4 delves into the story of Sean Ellis, a man who served 22 years in prison after being found guilty of killing Boston Police Detective John Mulligan in 1993. Though law enforcement presented evidence linking Ellis to the murder, further investigation revealed corrupt police officers, questionable witnesses, and enormous pressure within the department to solve the case. Ellis’s story, while devastating, sheds light on timely issues of systemic racism, police corruption, and criminal justice reform while offering hope that, ultimately, people have the power to change the system."
This documentary is another addition to Netflix's true crime genre and follows the trial of a man named Sean K. Ellis who was accused of killing a Boston cop. The series will be 8 episodes long and follows Elli's experience of spending over two decades in prison after he was "unjustly" convicted of murdering a Boston Police Detective John Mulligan. Ellis had been on trial three times in one year and was convicted for the murder in the year 1993. According to Collider, Elli's team of attorneys had said that their client was a victim of a conspiracy in the police force. In the year 2015, Ellis was released, due to "exculpatory evidence" about the handling of his case. His fourth trial was still upcoming though, and yet again he faced the sentence of life for the murder of the cop. The docuseries 'Trial 4' will showcase Elli's conviction and how he set up gears for his fourth trial. It will also feature interviews with Ellis, and individuals that have been involved in the case from the beginning in 1993. Rémy Burkel serves as director of the series, with Jean-Xavier de Lestrade serving as executive producer.
'Whose Streets?'
Release date: November 16, 2020.
Synopsis: According to Magnolia Pictures, "Told by the activists and leaders who live and breathe this movement for justice, Whose Streets? is an unflinching look at the Ferguson uprising. When unarmed teenager Michael Brown is killed by police and left lying in the street for hours, it marks a breaking point for the residents of St. Louis, Missouri. Grief, long-standing racial tensions, and renewed anger bring residents together to hold vigil and protest this latest tragedy. Empowered parents, artists, and teachers from around the country come together as freedom fighters. As the national guard descends on Ferguson with military-grade weaponry, these young community members become the torchbearers of a new resistance. Filmmakers Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis know this story because they are the story. Whose Streets? is a powerful battle cry from a generation fighting, not for their civil rights, but for the right to live."
This is a documentary that had initially released in 2017 and follows the killing of Micahel Brown. The film goes behind the scenes on how the death of Brown causes a global movement, and a community to gear up and fight back against injustice. The film had released at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017, was nominated for a Critics' Choice Documentary Award for Best First Documentary, and a Gotham Independent Film Award for the same category. It won a Festival Award for Best Documentary Feature at the Crested Butte Film Festival and Best Documentary award at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Film Festival.
'We Are The Champions'
Release date: November 17, 2020.
Synopsis: According to Netflix, "Explore an array of unique competitions, from the quirky to the bizarre, and meet their passionate communities in this docuseries."The series is directed by Brian Davis, Nick Frew, and Martin Desmond Roe with Matthew-Lee Erlbach serving as writer. It showcases 'The Office' alum Rainn Wilson as the narrator, Tishauntae Small as a hair model, and Raffaella Valusio as a Ballerina. Davis, Frew, Roe, Chris Uettwiller, and Wilson serve as executive producers. 'We Are The Champions' is a reality documentary series that showcases "some of the world’s oddest competitions."
'Flavorful Origins: Gansu Cuisine' Season 3
Release date: November 20, 2020.
Synopsis: According to Netflix the synopsis reads, "Embark on a delightful journey through the culinary traditions of China and uncover the stories of the people who create and cherish its dishes."The first season was on Yunnan Cuisine, and the second one was called Chaoshan Cuisine, and the third one will be on Gansu Cuisine. This is a docuseries meant for foodies, obviously. It explores the nature of the culture of food, specifically in the cuisines that the season focuses on. It also spills on the secrets of Chinese cooking, the techniques they use, and the native Asian ingredients used.
'Shawn Mendes: In Wonder'
Release date: November 23, 2020.
Synopsis: "A portrait of singer/songwriter Shawn Mendes' life, chronicling the past few years of his rise and journey."
A documentary on singer-songwriter Shawn Mendes, 'In Wonder', is coming to Netflix on November 23. The film will premiere not long before Mendes drops his fourth studio album, Wonder, on December 4. Mendes has been known to have worked with big names such as singers Lorde, Troye Sivan, the Weeknd and Sam Smith. According to Rolling Stone, the documentary will showcase footage from Mendes's 2019 world tour. Andrew Gertler, Mendes and Ben Winston serve as executive producers and Saul Germaine, p.g.a, and James Haygood serve as producers. The song 'Wonder' was released on October 2, 2020 and while the trailer for the documentary is yet to be released, you can watch the music video below.
'Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker'
Release date: November 27, 2020.
Synopsis: According to PopSugar, "This behind-the-scenes holiday documentary follows iconic choreographer Debbie Allen and her talented dancers at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy. 'Hot Chocolate Nutcracker' is Allen’s re-imagining of The Nutcracker. In the docu, the dance group gears up for their annual production."
The series will star Debbie Allen, along with Raven Symone, Carlo Imperato, Tichina Arnold, Rasta Thomas and Mariah Carey. According to reports, the dance documentaries is one of the first in the eight-part series from Shonda Rhimes’ Shondaland. Rhimes is known for her exceptional work in 'Grey's Anatomy', 'Scandal', and 'How to Get Away with Murder'.