HBO Documentary Films

"The Great Recession "officially" ended in the summer of 2009, but for 25 million unemployed and underemployed Americans the fallout continues. Located on Long Island, the birthplace of the post-war suburban American Dream, Hard Times follows the story of four families who are dealing with long-term unemployment-white-collar workers who had moved up in the world, only to see their dreams dissolve as they now search in vain for a job. Their humanity...

The first and only documentary about David Bowie authorized by the Bowie Estate, narrated by Bowie himself, explores Bowie's artistic journey over the years and illuminates many of his intellectual and artistic philosophies. "Moonage Daydream illuminates the life and genius of David Bowie, one of the most prolific and influential artists of our time."

Documents Barack Obama's history-making road to the White House as the nation's first African-American president. Follows the former Senator from his decision to throw his hat in the ring to his historic election, and inauguration. Includes interviews, candid moments with his wife Michelle, and his daughters, Malia and Sasha, plus his senior campaign staff, his supporters, aids, and the media.

When the Civil War ended in 1865, more than 4 million slaves were set free. By the late 1930's, 100,000 former slaves were still alive. In the midst of the Great Depression, journalists and writers traveled the country to record the memories of the last generation of African-Americans born into bondage. Over 2,000 interviews were transcribed as spoken, in the vernacular of the time, to form a unique historical record.

The story of Nim, the chimpanzee who became the focus of a landmark 1970s experiment to show that an ape could learn to communicate with language if raised and nurtured like a human child. But as Nim's natural instincts take over and the humans trusted with his well-being fail to protect him, Project Nim uncovers the unflinching and extraordinary journey of one animal thrust into human society.

"In 2006, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Lawrence Wright staged "My Trip to al-Qaeda, " a one-man play that explored the moral dilemmas he encountered while researching his bestselling book, "The Looming Tower: al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11." Culled from more than 600 interviews and 4,100 pages of notes, the play integrated his journalistic insights with personal stories, live footage, and photos of the places he visited during his extensive research....

Four acts document distinct perspectives on the pivotal events that preceeded and followed Katrina's passage through New Orleans, a catastrophe during which the divide between race and class lines has never been more pronounced.