Read on to find out which films have inspired the Arts Engine staff members!

Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control (1997)

Errol Morris’ path through life is filled with film lore. In perhaps the most notorious moment, Werner Herzog ate his shoe at the premiere screening of Morris’ first feature, “Gates of Heaven.” “Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control” seems to harness some of that lore, at least in spirit, by steadily drawing out one of the deeper questions of human existence: Why do we project human traits and emotions onto nonhuman beings and objects? Morris successfully uncovers the joy and sadness present in such affections, revealing an odd but surprisingly common human gesture, one that seems to hide behind a childhood teddy bear, hamsters, or a pet rock. We may think those emotions pass with childhood, but Morris gently suggests otherwise. “Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control” is wonderful to watch and to ponder over, as are all of Morris’ films. —Rico Cullen

Hoop Dreams (1994)

Steve James’ “Hoop Dreams” follows two inner-city boys, Arthur and William, as they embark upon following their version of the American Dream — becoming professional basketball players. We follow the boys on their journey, through high school and into adulthood, finding that both end up in vastly different places.

Each tells candidly about his experiences, from the pressure to perform placed on star athletes to dealing with poverty, drug abuse and domestic violence in the home. Some of these unfold before the camera, giving the audience a painfully real glimpse into the obstacles these young men face. This film, breathing life into the idea of the coming of age film, is thoroughly moving and greatly exemplary of the power of the documentary film. —Jennifer Gallardo

Koko—A Conversation With Koko (1982)

Koko was born one year before me. She learned to sign. I learned to talk. She had cats. I had dogs. She could express happiness and sadness. So could I. She displayed curiosity and creativity. I did, too. Koko is a gorilla; I am a human. How very alike we are.

To my (then) young mind, this was a joyful discovery. And through the years, that feeling has stayed with me. —Jean Seok

Meat (1976)

Frederick Wiseman’s “Meat” is a haunting cinema verite exploration of the American meat industry. Less PETA, more Cassavetes, Wiseman reflects the industry without offering viewers a one-sided ethical interpretation. This film is one the best arguments I have ever seen for veganism because it chooses sophistication and beauty over didacticism. —Shira Golding

Something Like a War (1991)

This was the film that first inspired me to think about a career in documentary film. I saw it in a class I was taking on women and human rights, and it powerfully conveyed the importance of media as a tool for raising social awareness. I particularly loved that it gave voice to women who had never had their voices heard. —Elizabeth Mandel

The Weather Underground (2003)

So rarely do you see a historical documentary this engaging and well done. The archival is incredible and the graphics are great. The young radicals featured in this film were people who lived by their convictions and paid a hefty price. Their story is an important one and especially resonates for those disillusioned with our current administration. These people felt they had no choice but to revolt and you can understand why. Such a great, great film. —Angela Tucker

Who Killed Vincent Chin? (1980)

Not many people know about the hate crimes committed against Asian Americans throughout U.S. history. Even less know that those who committed these crimes usually go unpunished.

Vincent Chin was celebrating his last days of bachelorhood at a Detroit bar when he got into an argument with two men who worked at Chrysler Motors. They hurled ethnic insults at Chin, blaming him for the loss of jobs in the then-depressed American auto industry. Chin was bludgeoned to death with a baseball bat. The two men never served jail time for their crime. Devastated by her loss but determined to see justice, Chin’s fearless mother spearheaded an unprecedented nationwide protest, galvanized the Asian American community to speak out about this and similar injustices. This films sheds much needed light on anti-Asian sentiment and the failure of U.S. judicial system to protect people of color in a racially biased society. It also challenges the “meek and quiet,” “model minority” stereotypes prescribed to Asian Americans by showing a community coming together to demand for justice in a racially motivated crime.—Diana Lee

Why We Fight (2004)

Want to feel chills down your spine? I recommend seeing “Why We Fight.” It’s about a warning that fell on deaf ears, that is now reflected in our present set of circumstances. This story of misplaced and unaccounted power will make you think twice. Will you let Dwight D. Eisenhower’s warning go unnoticed once again? —Germanico Posada

The Yes Men (2004)

It is the day after your big holiday event. You are hung over at the video store and read the words: World Trade Organization, documentary and international foreign policy. You let out a big yawn and politely return the dvd to the shelf. What you want, you think to yourself, is a spunky, light movie with some (if at all) sugar coated substance that sets you in the holiday spirit again. Some HBO series might do and you might even be numb enough go for a Hollywood blockbuster. Stop right there! Plan ahead, and get The Yes Men for that day. It trails two culture jammers who go beyond the pamphlets and the billboards and actually re-enact and embody two WTO spokesmen. With incredible access, hey cut to the chase in their presentations and tell their corporate audiences what trade is really about. A hilarious choice for the holiday high or the holiday blues. —Anayansi Diaz-Cortes