Through the social and political upheavals of the past few years, documentary film has emerged as one of the best ways to understand how we got into this situation. The best films are truly awe-inspiring, introducing audiences to memorable stories from the past and new ways of understanding influential figures, and 2022 will be another great year for films that re-examine the legacies of public figures or that view social issues through a historical lens to show how big or small the changes It will be a year of documentaries. (The documentary, which premieres at the Sundance Film Festival, can be seen at many of the festival's virtual screenings.)

"Jeen-yuhs" is an inside look at prolific rapper and producer Kanye West from his early years. Directed by West's longtime friends and collaborators Cudi Simmons and Chike Oza, the film encompasses more than 20 years of unseen footage of West as a musician and entrepreneur.

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After a year filled with Princess Diana content (including a dramatic season of "The Crown" and an entire stage musical), 2022 opens with an in-depth documentary about the "People's Princess". In addition to a profile of Princess Diana, the documentary will also look at how her royal life and the circumstances of her death have affected public opinion of the royal family over the years.

Premiere: January 20 at the Sundance Film Festival, HBO Max TBD

This doc by comedian and CNN host W. Kamau Bell uses archival footage and cultural and political analysis to examine the rise and fall of Bill Cosby. From his beloved past as the star of "The Cosby Show" to his conviction for sexual assault.

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In 1972, seven women were arrested in a raid on a Chicago apartment. The crime was that under the group "JANE," they were operating an underground network to provide women with safe and inexpensive abortions in the United States before Roe v. Wade. Released in advance of the Supreme Court ruling on Mississippi's abortion ban, "Jane's" may be the most timely documentary of the year.

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Amy Poehler makes her documentary debut, dedicated to the professional partnership and marriage of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz.

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The documentary follows the mysterious incident of two Boeing 737s falling out of the sky during a flight in late 2018 and the backlash following the crash. It also reveals the cover-up that occurred within the company and Wall Street's fascination with stock prices that allowed defective components, the ultimate cause of the crashes, to be placed on the planes.

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Last year, a group of subreddit r/wallstreetbets investors took the fight over Game Stop's stock price directly to Wall Street bigwigs. This two-part documentary, narrated by Kieran Culkin of Succession, explains this phenomenon by interviewing traders who either truly believe in Game Stop as a company or just want to pit it against the big banks.

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The doc follows the newly Grammy-winning "Driver's License" on a road trip from Salt Lake City to LA, while her hit debut album, Sour give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the recording process.

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"Andy Warhol's Diary" delves into the life of the celebrated visual artist from a new angle, chronicling the aftermath of his attempted murder and his entry into the film industry through the diary of that time.

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The documentary shows the personal history and legacy of the skateboarding legend, and for fans who know the brand of skater everywhere, the decorated athlete and pop culture icon he and what drove him to become one of the most popular and influential skateboarders in the world.

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Abercrombie & Fitch has gone from a shopping mall clothing brand in the early 00s to a once pop culture phenomenon marred by controversy. This highly anticipated doc, which includes interviews with former employees, executives, and models, portrays the dark side of the brand, including its troubled former CEO, Mike Jeffries.

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Netflix's first project signed with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Archwell Productions follows the journey of competitors in Harry's Invictus Games, which honor wounded service members and veterans It follows the journey of the competitors. The final portion of the doc will be filmed at this year's Games, which take place this month in The Hague, Netherlands (opens in new tab).

Premiere: TBD on Netflix

While preparing her performance for the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show, Jennifer Lopez reflects on her iconic career as a singer, actor, and all-around star and personal memories throughout her life. Reflections.

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In this four-part documentary, pop music icon Janet Jackson shares the story of her career, from her debut song with her famous family at age 7 to the Super Bowl that threatened her career to the wardrobe malfunction that threatened her career, the film looks back at the largely untold story of her life and career.

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This five-part documentary tells the untold history of LGBTQ+ icons and pioneers in a star-studded, "Drunk History"-like fashion.

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Narrated by KeKe Palmer, the documentary examines health concerns in the cosmetics industry and raises awareness of the dangerous risks of some cosmetic ingredients and procedures. (24]

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Premiere: June 23 on HBO Max