The horrors of genocide have been recounted in many media forms, but none more effectively than the documentary. In this article, let’s explore some of the most poignant and powerful documentaries about genocides that reveal the full scope of human suffering caused by these atrocities. From personal stories to historical accounts, these films are a testament to the resilience and strength of those who survived. We will take a look at some of the most striking visuals and stories that these documentaries have to offer, and consider how their messages can inform us about our own responsibilities in preventing future genocides from happening.
1. Genocide of Jews in Poland
Johann Niemann was a dreaded SS officer for the Jews in Poland at the Sobibor camp. He and his colleagues were responsible for a genocide of unimaginable proportions. In 1942, they set out on their mission to kill countless innocent Jews day after day without any remorse or hesitation.
2. The Silence of Words
This gripping and long-overdue documentary depicts the tragedy of Rwanda’s genocide. Through interviews with survivors, government officials, relatives and witnesses, the film captures a comprehensive account of this dark chapter in history.
3. The Lost World Of The Khmer Rouge
Cambodia is a country of enigmatic beauty – from the forgotten jungles and ancient ruins to the holy monks that seek solace within them. For decades, this mysterious land has been closed off from the rest of the world, fostering both an untouched paradise and a dark secret.
4. The Forgotten Genocide
The genocide in Rwanda, which took place between April and July 1994, is a tragedy that stands as one of the most heartbreaking moments in history. Hundreds of thousands of innocent lives were cut short during this civil conflict. Nearly 500,000 to 800,000 Tutsi’s perished during the Rwandan Civil War, along with an estimated 1 million deaths overall.
5. Rwanda Genocide
For centuries, the Hutu and Tutsi people have lived together peacefully in the same countries, following similar customs. However, class-based tensions began to arise which would eventually lead to a period of chaos and destruction in Rwanda. As a result, one of the most severe genocides of our time was born out of this unrest between these two tribes.
6. 100 Days of Terror
The Rwandan Genocide was an act of extreme violence and hatred that saw the mass murder of hundreds of thousands of Tutsi people by Hutu militias. This disturbing event had a deep history including centuries-old ethnic divisions, something this documentary will investigate in detail.
7. Genocide Worse Than War Full Length
From the producer of the Academy Award nominated movie “Taxi to the Dark Side” comes a powerful documentary that covers one of the darkest topics in human history – genocide. This documentary, titled Genocide Worse Than War, brings together firsthand accounts from some of those who have personally experienced this tragedy.
8. The Armenian Genocide
For Armenia, the 20th century brought unfathomable suffering. In 1915, Ottoman Turkey began a systematic genocide against its ethnic Armenian minority in what is now considered one of the darkest episodes in human history.
9. The 21st Century’s First Genocide
Genocide has been a dark mark on humanity for centuries. From Rwanda to Darfur, millions of innocent people have fallen victim to the devastating force of genocide. In late 2007, FRONTLINE released “On Our Watch,” an eye-opening documentary about the atrocities in Darfur and how international powers failed to take action. By then, over 200,000 people had been killed and millions of others displaced.
10. Why Was The Cambodian Genocide Ignored By The West
The impact of ‘Cambodia Year Ten’ was felt across the globe a year after its transmission. After 15 years of international isolation, Britain sent a diplomatic representative to Cambodia while Sweden abstained from a motion at the UN to continue this separation. Australia proposed a peace plan, which was accepted by the United Nations and supported by the European Parliament.
