The Look of Silence is a powerful documentary that delves into the harrowing history of the Indonesian genocide. If you were moved by its compelling storytelling and raw emotional depth, here are 15 other films that offer similarly profound experiences. These documentaries and dramas explore themes of human rights, history, and personal struggle.

1. The Act of Killing

This documentary, directed by Joshua Oppenheimer, features former Indonesian death squad leaders reenacting their real-life mass killings in the style of the American movies they love. The film stars Anwar Congo and Herman Koto, and it provides a chilling look at the banality of evil.

2. Shoah

Directed by Claude Lanzmann, Shoah is a monumental documentary about the Holocaust. The film features interviews with survivors, witnesses, and perpetrators, offering a comprehensive and deeply moving account of the atrocities committed during World War II.

3. The Fog of War

This documentary by Errol Morris features an interview with former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara, discussing the complexities and ethical dilemmas of modern warfare. The film provides a gripping look into the mind of a man who was at the center of some of the 20th century’s most significant conflicts.

4. Waltz with Bashir

An animated documentary by Ari Folman, Waltz with Bashir explores the director’s own experiences as a soldier in the 1982 Lebanon War. The film blends animation with real-life interviews, creating a unique and haunting narrative about memory and trauma.

5. The Cove

Directed by Louie Psihoyos, The Cove is an investigative documentary that exposes the brutal dolphin hunting practices in Taiji, Japan. The film stars Ric O’Barry, a former dolphin trainer turned activist, and it won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.

6. 13th

Ava DuVernay’s 13th is a powerful documentary that explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. Featuring interviews with activists, scholars, and politicians, the film provides a critical look at the history and impact of the 13th Amendment.

7. The Thin Blue Line

Directed by Errol Morris, The Thin Blue Line is a documentary that examines the wrongful conviction of Randall Dale Adams for the murder of a Dallas police officer. The film’s investigative approach and compelling storytelling helped to exonerate Adams and has been hailed as a landmark in documentary filmmaking.

8. Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father

This heartbreaking documentary by Kurt Kuenne tells the story of Dr. Andrew Bagby, who was murdered by his ex-girlfriend. The film is a tribute to Bagby and a poignant message to his son, Zachary, who was born after his father’s death.

9. The Central Park Five

Directed by Ken Burns, Sarah Burns, and David McMahon, The Central Park Five tells the story of five teenagers who were wrongfully convicted of assaulting a jogger in Central Park in 1989. The film examines the flaws in the justice system and the impact of media bias on their lives.

10. Grizzly Man

Werner Herzog’s Grizzly Man is a documentary about Timothy Treadwell, a man who lived among grizzly bears in Alaska before being killed by one. The film uses Treadwell’s own footage and interviews with those who knew him to explore his complex relationship with nature.

11. Harlan County, USA

Directed by Barbara Kopple, this documentary chronicles a coal miners’ strike in Harlan County, Kentucky, in the 1970s. The film captures the struggles and solidarity of the miners and their families as they fight for better working conditions and fair pay.

12. The Square

Jehane Noujaim’s The Square documents the Egyptian Revolution of 2011 from the perspective of activists in Tahrir Square. The film provides an insider’s view of the hopes, struggles, and setbacks of the revolution, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit.

13. Blackfish

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Blackfish is a documentary that examines the consequences of keeping orcas in captivity. The film focuses on Tilikum, a captive killer whale involved in the deaths of several people, and raises questions about the ethics of animal entertainment.

14. Restrepo

This documentary by Sebastian Junger and Tim Hetherington follows a platoon of U.S. soldiers deployed in Afghanistan’s Korengal Valley. The film provides an unfiltered look at the realities of war, capturing the soldiers’ experiences and the emotional toll of combat.

15. The Fog of Srebrenica

Directed by Samir Mehanovic, The Fog of Srebrenica is a documentary that tells the stories of survivors of the Srebrenica massacre during the Bosnian War. The film provides a poignant and personal perspective on the impact of this tragic event.