Are Op-Docs Truly Worth the Watch?

     Typically, finding stories that approach and present opinions on pressing issues in a creative and captivating way in the age of repetitive media and endless articles can be a challenge in itself, however, the New York Times’ Op-Docs seem to be an exception to this rule. By allowing authors to express their opinions in a creative way, Op-Docs invites watchers to see a topic through a different lens. Although there are an innumerable amount of these documentaries to look through on the New York Times’ website, I’ve found a couple that present modern day issues through an enthralling lens while also also capturing the essence of the genre itself. The question is: Are they really worth the watch?

    In The Torture Letters, Laurence Ralph, an author and professor of anthropology at Princeton, examines brutality and racism amongst police officers. Ralph takes a very creative approach to the presentation of this issue by having his character write several letters to two Black teenage victims of a police brutality incident he witnessed earlier in his life. Ralph does an exceptional job of portraying how much a police brutality incident can impact someone’s life, even if they’re not directly involved. He connects this single incident to both his more well-known events in history and own encounters, making these experiences more personal for watchers, and ultimately giving many people a new perspective on brutality and racism in law enforcement. I, however, do not want to do all of the talking for this outstanding documentary, instead you should take a look for yourself, as it is certainly worth the watch.

    In Darlin, Isabel Castro, a multimedia journalist and Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker, analyzes the effects of “zero tolerance” immigration policies on immigrant families. Throughout the documentary, Castro follows one family’s story as they struggle to reunite with one another after being separated due to these policies. Castro, similarly to Ralph, gives the issue of immigration and family separation a more personal aspect by following each family member individually as they reunite and gives many viewers a new perspective on these problems. Castro also filmed the entirety of this Op-Doc in Spanish, allowing the viewers to completely immerse themselves in this situation. Similarly to The Torture Letters, Darlin truly encapsulates the essence of the genre and I truly encourage you to give it a watch, as it is truly worth it.

    Even if you only have the time to check out one of these Op-Docs, I highly encourage you to do so. These documentaries may be short, but they offer a unique perspective on world issues and compel viewers to truly think about and analyze these issues for themselves, making the time it takes to watch them undoubtedly worth it.