12 Shocking Documentaries That Will Change How You See The World

3. Man On Wire (2008)

Rotten Documentary
Icon Productions

Philippe Petit’s high wire walk across the World Trade Centre building has been well documented in both 2008s Man on Wire and Robert Zemeckis’s 2015 film The Walk and although many of us now know the story, there are few things more shocking than Petit’s fearlessness and dedication to his craft. The 2008 documentary is the ultimate show of a massive feat and rallies up the kind of inspiration that lights a fire in its viewers.

Petit knew he was going to be a high wire walker from the moment he first saw the World Trade Centre and showed soaring dedication to get to the point where he could follow his dream. Man on Wire is high on emotion, ambition and incredible human potential, it’s tense and anxiety ridden but that just adds to the viewer’s investment.

Man On Wire won both a BAFTA and Academy Award for best documentary with many people admiring Petit’s story and loving how the film also acted as a love letter to the now lost twin towers. Watch this film for a championing of human achievement.

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An encyclopedia on European cinema, hardcore music and Lana Del Rey.