A good documentarian may be more artistic than a good director of fictional works. I state this because a typical director is given a script and has some idea of what (s)he is supposed to be doing. A documentarian needs to get the right shot at the right time. There are no do-overs. And (s)he doesn't fully know where the story is going. The characters make their own story.
In that way, documentarians remind me of writers. Any true writer knows that, while you may create a character and an outline, the character really decides his or her fate. It is out of your hands. This may seem odd, since you created this character, but once life is breathed, free will exists...no matter how odd that sounds.
Waiting for Superman is one of those documentaries that I found extremely interesting and well done. The film is about our current education system and the failings that exist. I found the film fascinating and heartbreaking. We follow several kids and their parents as they work to enter charter schools. They do not have the money for a private school and their local public schools are failing their children. By the end of the film, as you watch the lottery for the open spots at the charter schools, you are on the edge of your seat hoping that these kids make it.
I highly recommend you see it for yourself. Also, if you want to help our school systems, you should visit their website and check out how you can help.
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