The best documentaries about political figures, from Klitschko to Navalny

Vitali Klitschko is a character from a novel: handsome and gigantic heavyweight boxing champion, Guinness World Record holder, twin, multilingual scholar (he has a PhD in sports science), former member of the Ukrainian Parliament and mayor. from Kiev.

Now Sky has a few days left to release Klitschko: More Than a Fight, a new documentary about the life and political career of the boxing legend – focusing on his efforts as mayor (he took the role in 2014) after the Russia-Ukraine war. . The film also tells the story of his relationship with his brother, fellow boxer Wladimir.

“Before February 24, I thought I knew myself, but I was wrong,” Wladimir said in the film, referring to the events of the fight. “What I have achieved in life, awards, medals, is not important. Now the only question is, what can I do for Ukraine?”

While we await the release of a documentary from Kevin Macdonald, director of The Last King of Scotland (2006), The Mauritanian (2021), and High & Low – John Galliano (2023), he is another fantastic documentary about political figures. that changed the world.

This Oscar-nominated film chronicles the presidential campaign of Ugandan Afrobeats singer-turned-politician, Bobi Wine. Documentary producers Christopher Sharp and Moses Bwayo followed Wine, with intimate access, for five amazing years, when he tried to challenge the authoritarian ruler Yoweri Museveni, president since 1986. optimistic, making a moving and galvanizing film.

Last week’s prisoner exchange between Russia and America and its allies revealed regret: Alexei Navalny, a Russian lawyer and activist who has become a thorn in Putin’s side, may have been on the plane, having been part of the negotiations. But the opposition leader died in February under mysterious circumstances, while being held in one of Russia’s northernmost prisons. This Oscar-winning documentary from Daniel Roher investigates Navalny’s poisoning in 2020 that almost ended his life.

This fascinating film explores the controversial life of Imelda Marcos, First Lady of the Philippines from 1965 to 1986. When her husband Ferdinand Marcos ruled, she stole billions of pesos from the country, living a lavish lifestyle that included collecting jewelry, shoes. , art and property and throw big parties. In 1986, the family fled into exile, but returned only five years later, and despite facing tax fraud and corruption charges, they tried to return to politics. Here, Lauren Greenfield (director of the now famous commercial, #likeagirl) tells some incredible stories, with an interview with Imelda herself.

This fly-on-the-wall documentary picks up with Obama and his staff as his time in office comes to an end. His job now has a certain sadness, especially after Trump — who he knows will go out of his way to undo much of his progress — is announced as his successor. But it also creates a team with a sense of fear, and a more concrete goal. The result is a heartwarming and moving swansong of the Obama years, especially for those interested in foreign policy.

Nominated for an Oscar, this compelling film explores the events that led to the release of the Pentagon Papers in 1971. The papers, a 47-volume history consisting of more than 7,000 pages (of narrative and supporting documents) examine America’s role in Indochina from World War II until May 1968. Daniel Ellsberg, an American military analyst and researcher who worked on the project, leaked a lot of content to The New York Times, changing the course of American history.

Another excellent Oscar-winning documentary: Errol Morris looks at the remarkable life of former US Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, the man who served under John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B Johnson (making him the longest-serving secretary of defense). Containing archival footage, footage from a 1960s cabinet meeting, a new interview with the 85-year-old McNamara and an original score by Philip Glass, the thought-provoking film was described by one critic as “a film that must be studied by military and civilian leaders in all over the world”.

Before Patricio Guzmán turned his camera to the sky, creating the fantastical Nostalgia for Light, he described the political atmosphere in his native Chile. His epic multi-award winning trilogy depicts the political tensions of 1973, and the subsequent military coup against president Salvador Allende and his government.

Klitschko: More Than A Fight will be released on Sky on August 14