Movies About Ethics

From Louie Psihoyos, starring Richard O'Barry, Louie Psihoyos, Hardy Jones, Michael Illiff
Rated PG-13

The Cove is a 2009 documentary film directed by Louie Psihoyos which follows an elite team led by Ric O’Barry and featuring filmmakers and freedivers as they infiltrate the hidden cove in Japan, where thousands of dolphins are brutally slaughtered each year. The team uses undercover tactics and state-of-the-art technologies to document the dolphin hunts and their deadly annual toll. The film explores the highly profitable business of dolphin hunting, the dangers posed to humans by the consumption of dolphin meat, and the mysterious and far-reaching effects of dolphin capture and slaughter on the ocean’s ecosystem. It also highlights a growing movement to save the dolphins and protect the ocean’s delicate balance.

From Gabriela Cowperthwaite, starring Tilikum, Dave Duffus, Samantha Berg, Dean Gomersall
Rated PG-13

Blackfish is a 2013 documentary film directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite centered on the captivity of the killer whale Tilikum, a souther resident orca held by SeaWorld and its consequences on both the whale and the trainers who work with him. The film focuses on the various incidents that occurred while Tilikum was in captivity, including the death of trainer Dawn Brancheau in 2010. It also features interviews with former SeaWorld employees who discuss their experiences with Tilikum and the effects captivity has on the whales. The film explores the orcas' psychological distress and how the environment of captivity affects their behavior. In addition, it examines the consequences of breeding in captivity, the methods used to train the orcas, and the controversy surrounding Tilikum's role in the death of Brancheau. Ultimately, Blackfish reveals the dark side of animal entertainment and serves as an indictment of SeaWorld's practices.

From Michael Moore, starring Michael Moore, Charlton Heston, Marilyn Manson, Salvador Allende
Rated R

Bowling for Columbine is a 2002 documentary film written, produced and directed by Michael Moore. It examines the causes of the Columbine High School massacre in 1999 and other incidents of violence with guns. It takes a look at America's gun culture and explores why the United States has the highest number of gun-related deaths in the world compared to other industrialized countries. Along the way, Moore interviews a number of people, including Marilyn Manson, Charlton Heston, and President Bill Clinton, to get their input on the issues. The film also features unsettling statistics and footage of real-life tragedies, including a number of high-profile mass shootings, to showcase the devastating effects of gun violence. Through this, Moore paints an honest and thought-provoking portrait of the gun problem in America and the need for stricter gun control laws.

From Michael Moore, starring Michael Moore, Tucker Albrizzi, Tony Benn, George W. Bush
Rated PG-13

Sicko is a documentary film by Michael Moore that explores the American health care system. The film examines how many people in the United States are without health insurance and how those with insurance are often overcharged for care, as well as how the system compares to other countries around the world. Through interviews with people who have suffered from the current system and experts in the field, Moore argues that the U.S. health care system should be completely overhauled and that the government should provide a single-payer system that covers all citizens. The film also covers topics such as the pharmaceutical industry, medical malpractice, and the rise of HMOs. Ultimately, Sicko criticizes the government and corporate interests for putting profits before people by skimping on health care coverage.

From Mark Devries, starring Steven Best, Richard Dawkins, Gary Francione, Bruce Friedrich
Rated Not Rated

Speciesism: The Movie is a 2013 documentary film written and directed by Mark Devries. The film examines the concept of speciesism, which is the belief that humans are superior to animals and have the right to exploit them. The film follows Devries as he travels across the United States, interviewing factory farm operators, animal researchers, and leading animal rights activists. He explores the concepts of animal welfare, animal testing, and the ethical implications of the use of animals in food production and scientific research. The film highlights the plight of animals in factory farms and animal testing laboratories, and argues that modern society should treat animals with more respect. It also examines how the concept of speciesism has been used to justify many of the practices that exploit animals, and how it can be replaced with a more compassionate view of animals. The film ultimately calls for a more ethical relationship between humans and animals.

From Robert Kenner, starring Michael Pollan, Eric Schlosser, Richard Lobb, Vince Edwards
Rated PG

Food, Inc. is a powerful and eye-opening documentary about the industrial food production system in the United States. The film provides an in-depth look at how corporate interests have taken control of much of the food production system in America, with a focus on factory farming, the use of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), and the influence of powerful food corporations. Through interviews with farmers, activists, and industry experts, the film paints a grim picture of the industrial food system and its effects on the environment, health, animal welfare, and the economy. The film also looks at how consumers can take action to create a healthier, more sustainable food system.

From Lee Fulkerson, starring Lee Fulkerson, Matthew Lederman, Alona Pulde, T. Colin Campbell
Rated PG

Forks Over Knives is a 2011 American documentary film directed by Lee Fulkerson. The film examines the claim that a largely plant-based diet can help prevent or reverse several chronic diseases. It features interviews with various medical and nutritional experts, along with case studies of individuals who adopted a plant-based diet and experienced dramatic health improvements. The film also briefly looks at the agricultural industry and its effects on the environment, animal welfare, and the health of society. The documentary advocates a whole-food plant-based diet, which eliminates all animal products and highly processed foods. The film suggests that a shift to a plant-based diet can not only prevent and reverse disease, but also reduce health care costs and environmental damage.

From Deborah Koons Garcia, starring Charles Benbrook, Grace Booth, George W. Bush, Ignacio Chapela
Rated Not Rated

The Future of Food (2004) is a feature-length documentary film exploring the complex and controversial issues behind the global food production industry. Directed by Deborah Koons Garcia, the film examines the questions of food safety, the environmental impact of industrial agriculture, government policies and regulations, and the implications of genetic engineering. The film highlights both the potential dangers and the potential benefits of industrial agriculture, and the controversy surrounding the increasingly powerful role of large corporations in the food production industry. Through interviews with food experts, activists, farmers and scientists, the film paints a vivid picture of the complexities of the global food industry, and the challenges that face us all in ensuring access to safe and nutritious food.

From Nikolaus Geyrhalter, starring Claus Hansen Petz, Arkadiusz Rydellek, Barbara Hinz, Renata Wypchlo
Rated Not Rated

Our Daily Bread is a 2005 documentary film directs by Nikolaus Geyrhalter. It is a visually striking portrait of how food is produced in industrialized nations. Throughout the film, Geyrhalter visits a variety of food production facilities, from a large-scale pig farm to a state-of-the-art vegetable packing plant, and captures the complex machinery, technology, and labor behind the production of our daily sustenance. The film is devoid of commentary or narration, allowing the viewer to form their own opinion of the industrial food production process. Our Daily Bread provides a unique insight into the unseen world of food production and the people and machines that make it possible.

From Directors: Joe Cross, Kurt Engfehr, starring Joe Cross, Amy Badberg, Merv Cross, Virginia Cross
Rated Not Rated

Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead is a 2010 documentary film directed by Joe Cross and Kurt Engfehr. The film follows Joe Cross, an Australian man, as he embarks on a journey of personal transformation. Cross is overweight with an autoimmune disease, and is seeking to regain his health by following a 60-day juice fast. During his travels, Cross meets Phil, an American truck driver suffering from a similar condition. Together they inspire each other to continue their journeys and share their stories of transformation. Through interviews with medical professionals, the film explores how a diet of processed foods and lack of exercise has caused a rapid increase in obesity and other health issues. The film provides an eye-opening look at the power of food and its potential to restore health.

From Rupert Murray, starring Ben Bradshaw, Roberto Mielgo Bragazzi, Charles Clover, John Crosbie
Rated Unrated

The End of the Line is a 2009 documentary film directed by Rupert Murray. It is based on the book of the same name by Charles Clover, and explores the devastating effects of overfishing around the world. The film draws attention to the imminent extinction of many species of fish due to the unsustainable fishing practices of the world's major fishing companies. It also investigates the potential environmental and social implications of overfishing, such as reduced food security, disruption of marine ecosystems, and the loss of jobs for fishermen. Through interviews with scientists, activists, and fishermen, as well as footage from around the world, the film reveals an urgent need for individuals and governments to address the issue of overfishing, if we are to avert a major ecological disaster.

From Markus Imhoof, starring Fred Jaggi, Randolf Menzel, John Miller, Liane Singer
Rated Unrated

More Than Honey is a 2012 documentary film by Swiss director Markus Imhoof that examines the global bee crisis and its implications for the future of the world’s food supply. Through interviews with beekeepers in the United States, China, Switzerland, and Australia, the film follows the journey of the honeybee and the threats to its existence. It also looks at the rise of pesticides, the collapse of bee colonies, and the complex relationship between humans and bees. Ultimately, the film argues that the loss of the honeybee will have grave consequences for our planet and calls for changes in the way we think about our relationship with the environment.

From Michael Moore, starring Michael Moore, George W. Bush, Ben Affleck, Stevie Wonder
Rated R

Fahrenheit 9/11 is a 2004 documentary by American filmmaker Michael Moore. The film takes a critical look at the presidency of George W. Bush, his administration's handling of the War in Afghanistan and Iraq War, and its conduct in the wake of the September 11 attacks. Through interviews with ordinary Americans, pundits, and political figures, as well as archival footage, Moore seeks to show how the Bush administration used the events of September 11 to further its own political agenda. The film also suggests a possible connection between the Bush family, its foreign business partners, and the Saudi royal family. The film concludes with a call to action, urging citizens to register to vote in order to make a difference in the 2004 presidential election.

From Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady, starring Mike Papantonio, Lou Engle, Becky Fischer, Ted Haggard
Rated PG-13

From Michael Moore, starring Michael Moore, William Black, Jimmy Carter, Elijah Cummings
Rated R

From Cullen Hoback, starring Max Schrems, Moby, Mark Zuckerberg, Orson Scott Card
Rated Not Rated

From Morgan Spurlock, starring Morgan Spurlock, Daryl Isaacs, Chemeeka Walker, Dania Abu-Rmaileh
Rated PG-13

From Jennifer Baichwal, starring Star: Edward Burtynsky
Rated Unrated

From Kristin Canty, starring Linda Faillace, Adam Helfer, Mark McAfee, Joel Salatin
Rated Unrated

From Jean-Paul Jaud, starring Star: Perico Légasse
Rated TV-G

From Directors: Lucien Castaing-Taylor, Verena Paravel, starring Brian Jannelle, Adrian Guillette, Arthur Smith, Asterias Vulgaris
Rated Not Rated