Some documentaries take very little time to shoot, while others can take decades. For these longer films, directors undertake the tough process of sorting the quality from the quantity in order to create unique testaments to their subjects. Check out these documentaries that were filmed over long periods of time.
“56 Up” (2012)
The latest installment of ITV’s landmark documentary series returns to visit the people whose lives have been followed since they were just seven-years-old. The original “7 Up” was broadcast in 1964 as a one-off World in Action Special featuring children chosen from different backgrounds to talk about their hopes and dreams for the future.
“Time for School” (2016)
Time for School is an award-winning 12-year documentary project that follows seven children — from Afghanistan, Benin, Brazil, India, Japan, Kenya and Romania — who are struggling to achieve what is not yet a global birthright — a basic education. The film’s focus is primarily from the point of view of the children and their families.
“QUEST” (2018)
Filmed with vérité intimacy for nearly a decade, this film is the moving portrait of the Rainey family living in North Philadelphia. Beginning at the dawn of the Obama presidency, Christopher “Quest” Rainey, and his wife, Christine’a “Ma Quest” raise a family while nurturing a community of hip hop artists in their home music studio.
