The Sliced Pan Recommends... Four Documentaries To Watch Over Christmas

The Sliced Pan's chief gombeens Mark Farrelly and Gavan Casey return to the airwaves for the first time since their disastrous 'Hello, Is It Tea You're Looking For' podcast to bring you an actual series on the most crucial of Christmas traditions; what to binge-watch during your time off over the festive period.

Today the lads discuss the four best documentaries they've seen in 2015, and rank them in order of how much you also need to see them, with some exclusive, never-before-heard audio footage from each flick (unless you've seen them, in which case it won't be exclusive at all):

Here is the lads' list in descending order:

4) Going Clear (2015)

Going Clear: Scientology and the Prison of Belief explores Scientology - the first time American tv giant HBO has tackled the controversial 'church' since a 1998 documentary presented anti-depressant drugs in a positive light.

Alex Gibney's two-hour documentary is based on the Pulitzer–winning journalist Lawrence Wright's book from 2013, and provides unprecedented insight into Scientology through testimonies from eight former scientologists, including John Travolta's former liaison and an Oscar-winning director.

The film brings to light the alleged abuse of church members and misconduct by its leadership, particularly noted bollocks David Miscavige, who is accused of intimidating, beating, imprisoning, and exploiting subordinates.

Gibney's flick received no fewer than seven Emmy nominations, and is arguably the most insightful on-screen exposé of an organization and religion which, for too long, has festered and spread.

3) Grizzly Man (2005)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8MjDyfcMmU

One of famed German director Werner Herzog's most coveted works, Grizzly Man is a chilling documentary compiled of video extracts from American conservationist Timothy Treadwell's log-keeping.

Treadwell is a conflicted soul, whose love for Alaska's grizzly bears and their well-being occasionally crosses to somewhat perverse extremes, to the point that Treadwell is roundly criticised by fellow conservationists who brand him 'dangerous' for interfering with the grizzlies' way of life.

He and his girlfriend visit the same bear tribe for 13 straight years, further immersing themselves within the Alaskan ecosystem. But, in the words of chaos theorist Ian Malcolm, 'nature finds a way.'

The critically acclaimed documentary is narrated by Herzog himself, and contains a scene which would prove both a game-changer in documentary film-making and arguably one of the most poignant moments in the history of film itself. The full documentary is available to watch now in the link above, and we highly recommend you avail of it this very instant, or at least over Christmas.

2) The Overnighters (2014)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BL0o2UyLHFI

Jesse Moss' The Overnighters is about a pastor who lets newly arrived workers in North Dakota stay in his church until they find a home. However, it is so so much more than that. What it really tells us is that life is fucked up.

The recent oil boom in the formerly quiet state of North Dakota has led to thousands of Americans and immigrants arriving looking to get jobs. Such was the demand that people with the most questionable of backgrounds were gaining employment within a couple of days of arriving. However, this of course led to a severe housing shortage and the small town of Williston was one of the worst effected.

Enter Pastor Jay Reinke to the story.

The Overnighters will make you question yourself, our idea of community and society's ability to forgive and allow people rebuild their lives. However as the documentary goes on it will cause you to question the actions of Reinke and what happened after the cameras stopped rolling.

It offers no straight narrative. This isn't some sort of heartwarming tale of love and acceptance - it's much more real than that. Check out the full film above.

1) The Jinx (2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gik-1qaqQPM

Andrew Jarecki's unique six-part miniseries investigates three unsolved murders - one from 1982, one from 2000 and one from 2001 - by interviewing the chief suspect in each; a millionaire property heir named Robert Durst.

The revelatory HBO production was nominated for six and claimed two Emmys earlier this year, one for 'Outstanding Documentary', and as soon as you watch it you'll understand why.

The aftershocks of Durst's interviews with Jarecki are still being felt today - but do yourself a favour, and don't Google Durst's case until you watch all six episodes. Shit goes down in such a major way we actually can't do it justice with our stupid, insignificant words.

The Jinx isn't something you should watch while curled up on the couch with your family during the holiday season - more curled up in bed, alone, picking Dorito crumbs from your beard/hair and wondering why the world is such a ramshackle carnival of pain.

Simply put, the entire six-part documentary is one of the most monumental pieces of film-making in television history. Durst is either a simple jinx or a savage murderer. Episode 1 is available in full above, but be warned - it will automatically play into episode 2. And 3. And before you know it, it'll be 2016.

Mark and Gavan will return tomorrow for The Sliced Pan Recommends Episode 2, where they tackle some of the best new tv shows to binge-watch over the holiday season. You can follow the lads on Twitter, here and here. It's like the worst lucky dip ever.