Best movies & TV Shows like Telling Our Story

When all North American air traffic was grounded after the terrorist attacks on 9/11, over six thousand passengers from all over the world were stranded in the tiny community of Gander, Newfoundland. For five days the people of Gander housed, fed, clothed, and entertained their homesick visitors, creating a lasting memory for the waylaid passengers and forming a unique bond that continues to this day between the people of Gander, and the ‘come from aways’.

The territory of Akwesasne straddles the Canada-U.S. border. When Canadian authorities prohibited the duty-free cross-border passage of personal purchases - a right established by the Jay Treaty of 1794 - Kanien'kéhaka protesters blocked the international bridge between Ontario and New York State.

In the '60s, the Mushuau Innu had to abandon their 6,000-year nomadic culture and settle in Davis Inlet. Their relocation resulted in cultural collapse and widespread despair.

A 1969 documentary on the carving and raising of the first Haida totem pole in over a century becomes the springboard for a film that restores fullness and richness to the larger story of a nation’s resurgent identity.

Twelve-year-old Beans is on the edge: torn between innocent childhood and reckless adolescence; forced to grow up fast and become the tough Mohawk warrior she needs to be during the Oka Crisis, the turbulent Indigenous uprising that tore Quebec and Canada apart for 78 tense days in the summer of 1990.

Gil Cardinal searches for his natural family and an understanding of the circumstances that led to his becoming a foster child. An important figure in the history of Canadian Indigenous filmmaking, Gil Cardinal was born to a Métis mother but raised by a non-Indigenous foster family, and with this auto-biographical documentary he charts his efforts to find his biological mother and to understand why he was removed from her. Considered a milestone in documentary cinema, it addressed the country’s internal colonialism in a profoundly personal manner, winning a Special Jury Prize at Banff and multiple international awards.

In post-revolution Libya, a group of women are brought together by one dream: to play football for their nation. But as the country descends into civil war and the utopian hopes of the “Arab Spring” begin to fade, can they realise their dream? And is there even a country left to play for? Freedom Fields is a film about hope and sacrifice in a land where dreams seem a luxury. Through the eyes of these accidental activists we see the reality of a country in transition, where the personal stories of love, struggle and aspirations collide with History.

There's No Place Like This Place, Anyplace looks at the transformation of an iconic Toronto block - where the world famous Honest Ed's store once lived - through the stories of its community members as they reconcile their history with the future, all while facing the biggest housing crisis the city has ever seen.

Elliot Page brings attention to the injustices and injuries caused by environmental racism in his home province, in this urgent documentary on Indigenous and African Nova Scotian women fighting to protect their communities, their land, and their futures.

Explores the sensitive, and tense, relationship between life on an First Nations reservation and life in the outside world. When Native Canadian Silas Crow is forced to write a personal essay in order to get a much-desired job, he tells the story of the rape and murder of an Indian girl by a drunken thug. When the killer received a lenient two-year sentence for manslaughter, the First Nations community felt shock and anger—and tried desperately to deal with the after-effects of this lack of justice.

Stoney Point Natives assemble at Ipperwash Provincial Park for what began as a peaceful protest.

An Inuit youth trains to become a great archer in hopes of avenging the killing of his family – but the First Nations attackers were punishing a previous Inuit wrongdoing. Who will end the cycle of violence? THE WHITE ARCHER is an Inuit legend inspired the late James Houston’s beloved children’s book. In Canada’s High Arctic hamlet of Pond Inlet, his son John weaves outdoor adventure and local theatre into a story for all ages.

In a small Arctic town struggling with the highest suicide rate in North America, a group of Inuit students' lives are transformed when they are introduced to the sport of lacrosse.

The controversial right to bear arms is at the heart of American culture. It is so deeply ingrained that parents often pass down their love of guns to their children, and gun companies now market real rifles to kids as young as four - with blue ones for boys and pink for girls. This documentary sheds light on the world of young shooters, illuminating the beliefs, ambitions, and paranoia that motivate adults to put guns in the hands of children. Teaching kids to shoot is seen as a fun family experience and yet over 3000 children are injured or killed every year in accidental shootings. This documentary follows the stories of three American families tackling the difficult issues behind the American relationship with firearms and the compelling stories behind the horrifying statistics.

1966 was both the first and only time England hosted - and won - the football World Cup. 30th July was the day of the final, and exactly 50 years to that day later, those people who were there reminisce.

Carmen Aguirre and Tony Nardi star in a remarkable story of friends, lovers, seekers and thieves. Set at the intersection of the Latin American, First Nations and Italian communities, "Bella Ciao!" captures a struggle towards solidarity in East Vancouver's urban mix.

A young Ojibwa girl from 1770 marries a Scottish fur trader and leaves home for the shores of Georgian Bay. Although the union is beneficial for her tribe, it results in hardship and isolation for Ikwe. Values and customs clash until, finally, the events of a dream Ikwe once had unfold with tragic clarity.

Atikamekw Suns is based on the tragic true story of five young people from the Atikamekw First Nation community of Matawan, Quebec who were found dead in a truck in a river in 1977, and the apathy of the authorities investigating their deaths. The film chronicles the police force’s reluctance or inability to pinpoint whether this was a simple accident, or an act of racial hatred.

In the backdrop of a world on the brink, the Montford Point Marines rise, transcending not just enemy lines, but also the formidable barriers of racial segregation. Their journey, spanning from rural Virginia to the frontlines of World War II, the Korean War, and the jungles of Vietnam, is a reflection of their indomitable spirit and unyielding resolve. Confronting racial prejudices, the heartbreaks of war, and the turbulent transition to civilian life, these men never wavered in their commitment. "Integrating the Marine Corps" dives deep into the uncharted terrains of the Black experience in the early 20th century Marine Corps, illuminating stories often shadowed in history's corners. With cinematic finesse fit a global streaming audience, the film weaves these warriors deeply personal narratives into a rich tapestry, culminating in an epic saga of heroism, perseverance, and the enduring legacy of the American veteran.

Beyond Survival is a Canadian documentary television show hosted by survival expert Les Stroud.

Bruce Parry presents this five-part documentary series set in the spectacular wilderness of the Arctic, where he explores the dramatic changes its people are experiencing

Amazing Eats is an American food reality television series that premiered on January 11, 2012 on the Travel Channel. The program is hosted by actor and food enthusiast Adam Richman. In each episode, Richman tracks down all the best mouth-watering cuisines in the United States. New episodes currently airs every Wednesday at 9pm EST in place of Richman's popular series Man v. Food during its mid-season break. The episodes consist primarily of footage from Man v. Food and Man v. Food Nation re-edited by theme instead of city, and with the eating challenge segments omitted.

Host Marsh Mokhtari travels the globe and brings viewers along as he undertakes some of the world's most exciting journeys. Marsh's thrilling and often treacherous routes take him through striking geography and give him an unique opportunity to meet fascinating people and experience an amazing array of cultures and lifestyles.

The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation is a weekly Saturday morning show on CBS that showcases present-day change-makers from all over the world who are creating solutions to real needs. It is hosted by news correspondent and CBS Sunday Morning regular Mo Rocca. Each episode presents stories related to the process of innovation and also includes one story on The Henry Ford—its Archive of American Innovation, its unique visitor experiences and its unparalleled expertise. The intent is to stimulate curiosity and to inspire audiences with entertaining yet educational stories about yesterday and today’s visionaries and turning points that changed the course of history, as well as innovations and inventions that are changing the world today. The Henry Ford’s Innovation Nation is produced in partnership by The Henry Ford and Litton Entertainment, a leading independent production and distribution company.

8th Fire: Aboriginal Peoples, Canada & the Way Forward is a Canadian broadcast documentary series, which aired in 2012. Featuring television, radio and web broadcasting components, the series focused on the changing nature of Canada's relationship with its First Nations communities. The television component aired as a four-part documentary series hosted by Wab Kinew as part of CBC Television's Doc Zone, while radio programming devoted to First Nations themes aired on a variety of CBC Radio series and the web component included content from a variety of contributors, including news coverage by other CBC News reporters and a series of short films by 20 First Nations, Inuit and Métis reporters and filmmakers. The series was a shortlisted nominee for the Donald Brittain Award for Best Social/Political Documentary Program, and for Best Cross-Platform Project, Non-Fiction, at the 2013 Canadian Screen Awards.

The chaotic and violent struggle to control wealth and power in the North American fur trade in late 18th century Canada. Told from multiple perspectives, Frontier takes place in a world where business negotiations might be resolved with close-quarter hatchet fights, and where delicate relations between native tribes and Europeans can spark bloody conflicts.

1491: The Untold Story of the Americas before Columbus is based on the book “1491: New Revelations of the Americas Before Columbus” by Charles C. Mann (Knopf, 2005). It brings to life the complexity, diversity and interconnectedness of Indigenous peoples in the Americas before the arrival of Columbus. Presented from an Indigenous-perspective the series is a journey along a timeline that dates from 20,000 years ago to 1491. The origins and history of ancient Indigenous societies in North, Central and South America are interpreted by leading Indigenous scholars and cultural leaders in the fields of archaeology, art history, ethnology, genetics, geology, and linguistics.

A culture show set hosted by Marc Labrèche and his collaborators, Simon Boulerice, Émilie Perreault and Fred Savard. Each week, based on a significant year in history, they revisit a cultural event of a previous era and compare it with today’s yardstick. The hosts and their guests examine subjects that link the chosen year to what’s hot in cultural circles right now.

A challenging and stimulating view of one of history's most enigmatic periods, shining a light on the people and events that shaped the decade while illuminating the trends that helped design our future.

In the early 1980s, AIDS emerged and quickly became an epidemic. Those responsible for public safety failed. People were kept in the dark, afraid to speak out. Ignorance, arrogance, politics and economics all lead to betrayal, to cover-up, to scandal. Unspeakable is told from the perspective of two families caught in a tragedy that gripped a nation, as well as the doctors, nurses, corporations and bureaucracy responsible.

A captivating voyage into the world of intellectual exploration, where host Bryan Magee engages in illuminating dialogues with some of the most distinguished thinkers of the last century. Join Magee in riveting conversations with eminent guests like Herbert Marcuse, A. J. Ayer, John Searle, Noam Chomsky, Iris Murdoch, and W.V. Quine, as they unravel the complexities of philosophy, language, politics, and culture. From the radical reevaluation of Marxism by Herbert Marcuse to the profound insights on language by John Searle and Noam Chomsky, this series presents a tapestry of thought that has shaped our understanding of existence. With each episode, "Men of Ideas" offers a unique window into the minds of these leading philosophers, making it an intellectually invigorating experience for both avid scholars and curious minds alike.

This five-part series traces the story of Asian Americans, spanning 150 years of immigration, racial politics, international relations, and cultural innovation. It is a timely, clear-eyed look at the vital role that Asian Americans have played in defining who we are as a nation. Their stories are a celebration of the grit and resilience of a people that reflects the experience of all Americans.

Taking a 'bottom-up' view of history by exploring everyday lives of the nations ordinary people.

Host Padma Lakshmi takes audiences on a journey across America, exploring the rich and diverse food culture of various immigrant groups, seeking out the people who have so heavily shaped what American food is today.

Broadcaster and journalist Samira Ahmed goes on a remarkable journey to places rarely seen, as she travels through Iran, telling the story of a complex and fascinating people, culture and history.

A relevant, emotional tale of how the US, as a nation, seized moments of crisis to create a better tomorrow. The series draws upon 300+ years of US history, from the Mayflower, the American Civil War to September 11.

Mathieu is a public writer in a poor neighbourhood of Montreal. In the past years, he discovered that his job is more about people than literature. He must first listen and then finds the right words for those who can’t write. Feeling the need to tell what his story, he wrote a first novel inspired by his experiences. The critics love it, but the book bothers his employer who immediately fires him. Mathieu wants to continue to help, but he feels more and more divided between the two worlds.

Documentary about the disappearance of nine-year-old Shannon Matthews in Yorkshire in 2008, an investigation that gripped the nation, which turned out to be hoax kidnapping plot devised by her mother. Featuring exclusive interviews with Shannon's best friend, members of the local community, and the police officers who eventually found her, the programme reveals the remarkable truth of what really happened.

Modern history can be divided into two time frames: before 9/11 and after 9/11. This five-part docuseries is a cohesive chronicle of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the U.S., offering illuminating perspectives and personal stories of how the catastrophic events of that day changed the course of the nation.

Pati Jinich, chef and James Beard Award-winning host, experiences the culture, people and cuisine around the US-Mexico border.

Hosted by Canadian actor, director, and author Jay Baruchel, the series is a smart, tongue-in-cheek look at the end of the world, which draws together science, psychology, pop culture, and philosophy.

For the first time on camera, Casey Anthony sits down to share her side of the story since her culture-defining trial and acquittal 11 years ago.

Ryan McMahon is on a quest to uncover the truth in the deaths of numerous Indigenous people in Thunder Bay, Ontario – a city known as the homicide and hate crime capital of Canada.

As part of a racist government policy now known as the Sixties Scoop, Bezhig Little Bird is removed from her home in Long Pine Reserve in Saskatchewan and adopted into a Montréal Jewish family at the age of five, becoming Esther Rosenblum. Now in her 20s, Bezhig longs for the family she lost and is willing to sacrifice everything to find them.

Sweden is seen as one of the world's most gay-friendly nations. But the victories of the LGBTQ movement have run alongside another success story; The Sweden Democrats, a nationalist party with Nazi roots and a history of anti-gay politics, are now the second biggest party in the country. And they've started recruiting within the gay community. Being gay and a Sweden Democrat has long been taboo, but now, a new generation of conservative, openly gay men have started taking place on every political level-from the Swedish government to the European Parliament. These so-called homonationalists are anti-immigration, critical of Drag Story Hour, and want nothing to do with Pride. In "SD-bögar" ("Gay Sweden Democrats"), Erik Galli follows the Sweden Democrat's voters, columnists, and politicians-and members of Gays for Trump in the US-to understand a rising phenomenon: homonationalism.

A cultural magazine hosted by Montreal artists Gabrielle Laïla Tittley, aka PONY. In each episode, she examines contemporary artists who resist mass culture by creating authentic, meaningful work to keep the essence of their city alive and well. Her quest takes her to the most happening studios, bars and back alleys to share some unique and highly significant experiences with the artists.

The dramatic story of America's national mammal, which sustained the lives of Native people for untold generations, being driven to the brink of extinction, before an unlikely collection of people rescues it from disappearing forever. Ken Burns recounts the tragic collision of two opposing views of the natural world—and the unforgettable characters who pointed the nation in a different direction.

A documentary series that charts the Haitian-American experience of Motown Maurice, a future cultural icon, featuring interviews from his past and present.

A travel series that's all about connection. From St. John's to Yellowknife, the hosts uncover some of the country's best hidden gems and meet the people who make each travel destination so unique.

The Roma, commonly referred to as Gypsies, have been both romanticized and vilified in popular culture. Dozens of Roma from 11 countries—including Holocaust survivors, historians, activists, and musicians--bring Romani history to life through poetry, music, and compelling first-hand accounts.