5 Bullet Archive — everything Tim Ferriss has recommended

▶Let Things Rot

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2021 · Mateo Barrenengoa · youtu.be

“Let Things Rot” from the Fungi Foundation. This is gorgeously shot, and it’s worth a five-minute break for the visuals alone. From the description: “The Fungi Foundation is proud to present ‘Let Things Rot,’ a new documentary short directed by Mateo Barrenengoa in collaboration with mycologist and foundation founder Giuliana Furci [@giulifungi]. Filmed in Chile’s Araucanía Region, the short delves into fungi’s crucial role as a decomposer, inviting the viewer to reconsider rotting through a new, poetic perspective.”— Tim Ferriss

Searching for Sugar Man

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2021 · amazon.com

Searching for Sugar Man (Amazon, iTunes/Apple TV, Google Play, YouTube). I’ve had dozens of friends recommend this over the years, and I finally watched it last night. It’s SPECTACULAR. It was exactly the feel-good pick-me-up that I needed. The film’s accolades include 95% on Rotten Tomatoes, a BAFTA Award for Best Documentary, and an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, just to mention a few. Here’s the official description: “Searching for Sugar Man tells the incredible true story of Rodriguez, the greatest ’70s rock icon who never was. After being discovered in a Detroit bar, Rodrigue— Tim Ferriss

▶Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2021 · youtube.com

Kokoyakyu: High School Baseball. This documentary really brings back the memories. It tracks high school competitors and coaches in one of Japan’s deepest passions: baseball. The school uniforms, practices, buildings, customs, etc. are all nearly exactly what I experienced as a 15-year-old exchange student in Tokyo. Natsukashii naaaa! Deep bow to reader Ethan Jacobs (@ethanajacobs) for the suggestion.— Tim Ferriss

▶Magical Death

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2021 · youtube.com

Magical Death. It’s a common fiction that indigenous use of psychedelics is entirely focused on healing. In reality, while healing is one common and legitimate use, psychedelic plants have also been weaponized for warfare for centuries, if not millenia. Stated uses include night-vision enhancement, attempts at divination of enemy locations, and “remote attacks.” This video shows an example of the last. Whether or not you believe such things are possible, it demonstrates that human nature—warts and all—is cross-cultural. Description: “A documentary film by anthropologist Napoleon Chagnon that e— Tim Ferriss

▶Guardians of the Amazon

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2021 · youtube.com

Guardians of the Amazon. “As the Amazon rainforest faces a crucial tipping point amidst the increase of illegal logging activities, Dan Harris [@danbharris] and his team embed with the Guardians, a small indigenous group taking up arms to hunt down illegal loggers and fight for their land.” For a taste of the action, see the trailer here. This is a topic I care a lot about. For another way to help preserve the ecosystems of the Amazon, which includes both the lungs of the planet and indigenous communities, take a look at the Amazon Conservation Team. For my interview with the co-founder, Mark — Tim Ferriss

Burden of Dreams (Amazon

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2020 · amazon.com

Burden of Dreams (Amazon, iTunes, The Criterion Channel). This documentary was recommended to me by one of the most phenomenal artists I know, Dustin Yellin, whose wild podcast with me just got released today. Burden of Dreams is a strange and captivating film. It’s a showcase of tackling the impossible, being unrealistic, and failing above others’ successes. On so many levels, the compulsion, single-mindedness, and all-or-nothing drive of legendary filmmaker Werner Herzog makes no sense. And yet… to me, parts of his journey, and parts of his worldview, make all the sense in the world. This is— Tim Ferriss

The MAPS Capstone Challenge

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2020 · capstone.maps.org

The MAPS Capstone Challenge. Along with others, I’ve helped organize a $10 million challenge pledge for MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies. I’m contributing $1 million. Why would I put so much time, energy, and capital into this? Tens of millions of people worldwide suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Millions more have suffered from emotional and physical abuse but never get diagnosed. I would put myself in the latter category. On top of that, PTSD is notoriously difficult to treat and cure. Conventional treatments fail all the time. Never before has— Tim Ferriss

The Rise of Jordan Peterson

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · el2.convertkit-mail4.com

The Rise of Jordan Peterson (Vimeo, iTunes, Amazon, Google Play; if outside the US, Vimeo is likely easiest due to geo restrictions). I did not expect to like this documentary as much as I did. Prior to watching it, I knew very little of Jordan Peterson (@jordanbpeterson). Here’s the one thing I did know: some friends are fascinated by him and feel he is a brilliant seeker of truth, while others erupt into rage at the mere mention of his name and paint him as an anti-liberal antichrist. I watched this film with a close friend who is both impressed by and skeptical of Jordan, depending on the s— Tim Ferriss

>From Shock to Awe

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · el2.convertkit-mail.com

>From Shock to Awe (Vimeo, iTunes, Amazon). If you liked Trip of Compassion, or if you have an interest in psychedelics, ayahuasca, veteran affairs, or healing, take a look at this documentary. I’ve watched it 3x already and highly recommend it. Here is the description: “An intimate and raw look at the transformational journey of two combat veterans suffering from severe trauma (PTSD) as they abandon pharmaceuticals to seek relief through the mind-expanding world of psychedelics.” Even if you don’t watch the film, the two-minute trailer is worth checking out.— Tim Ferriss

Motherless Brooklyn

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · el2.convertkit-mail.com

Motherless Brooklyn. For literally 20 years, I’ve wanted this book made into a movie. Edward Norton (@EdwardNorton) and a star-studded cast—finally!—completely knocked it out of the park. Teaser: it’s a film noir detective story involving a lead character with both Tourette syndrome and OCD. Legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns recently called Edward’s Motherless Brooklyn “nothing less than a modern masterpiece.” The soundtrack alone makes this worth seeing on the big screen with a big sound system. Trust me.— Tim Ferriss

SOMM (on Amazon

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · amazon.com

SOMM (on Amazon and iTunes). I first heard about this doc in blog comments after I interviewed the brilliant and well-tattooed Richard Betts. Richard passed the infamous Court of Master Sommeliers’ Masters Exam on his first attempt, becoming the ninth person in history ever to do so. It’s a Mount Everest BITCH of a test, and only 256 people have passed—in total and globally—over the last 40 years(!). I put off watching this film because I feared it would be too highfalutin for this Long Island boy. Now, having seen it, I’m sorry I didn’t watch SOMM ages ago. It’s a wonderful, brutal, endearing— Tim Ferriss

The King of Kong

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · Steve Wiebe · amazon.com

The King of Kong. This doc was originally recommended to me by the world’s most interesting man, Kevin Kelly. I’ve watched it every year or two since. The movie is like a real-life Spinal Tap about becoming king of the nerds. Trust me; it’s well worth the watch. Here’s a shortened description: “In the early 1980s, legendary Billy Mitchell set a Donkey Kong record that stood for almost 25 years. This documentary follows the assault on the record by Steve Wiebe, an earnest teacher from Washington who took up the game while unemployed.”— Tim Ferriss

Pressure Cooker

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · amazon.com

Pressure Cooker. This is a real tearjerker, a life-affirming story of a teacher in Philadelphia who trains at-risk high school students to win full scholarships to culinary school. She epitomizes the kind of tough love that I think we need more of in this country, *especially* in these infantilizing times. Official description: “Infamously blunt, Wilma Stephenson runs a ‘boot camp’ teaching Culinary Arts at Frankford High, disciplining her students into capable chefs and responsible students. But behind her tough exterior is a teacher who cares passionately about getting the best out of her ki— Tim Ferriss

One Strange Rock

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · Will Smith · el2.convertkit-mail2.com

One Strange Rock (“Gasp” episode, specifically). This series is truly incredible. Executive produced by the acclaimed filmmaker Darren Aronofsky (director of Black Swan, producer of The Wrestler, and much more) and hosted by Will Smith (@willsmith), it is unlike any documentary series I’ve ever seen. If interested in digging deeper into Darren’s creative process, you can listen to my interview with him: "Filmmaker Darren Aronofsky — Exploring Creativity, Ignoring Critics, and Making Art.”— Tim Ferriss

Kumare

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · el2.convertkit-mail2.com

Kumare. This is one of my favorite documentaries of the last five years. The tagline says it all: “The True Story of a False Prophet.” It blends reality and illusion into an amazing narrative, providing many practical philosophies along the way. Here’s the official description: “A provocative social experiment-turned-documentary, KUMARE follows American filmmaker Vikram Gandhi as he transforms himself into a wise Indian guru, hoping to prove the absurdity of blind faith.”— Tim Ferriss

Trip of Compassion

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · el2.convertkit-mail2.com

Trip of Compassion. I first watched Trip of Compassion about six months ago, when I was sent a link to a private video. This documentary affected me so deeply (and immediately) that I flew to Tel Aviv, met the filmmakers, and offered to help launch the film digitally worldwide, which I just did this week on this page. Everything I am doing for this film is 100% pro bono, and all proceeds go to the filmmakers. Why would I do this? This quote from an actual patient in the film might give you an idea: “I felt like I went through 15 years of psychological therapy in one night.” Trip of Compassion — Tim Ferriss

David Hockney

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2019 · el2.convertkit-mail2.com

David Hockney (hockney.com). David is a legendary English painter, draftsman, printmaker, stage designer, and photographer. He is widely considered one of the most influential British artists of the twentieth century. I first learned of him in a wonderful documentary titled Tim’s Vermeer, in which his intellect impressed me as much as his art. David beautifully combines the analytical powers of a scientist with the aesthetic powers of an artist, which I’ve rarely encountered.— Tim Ferriss

Rivers and Tides (documentary)

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2018 · amazon.com

Rivers and Tides (documentary). I first learned of Andy Goldsworthy through Johns Hopkins’ medical staff, who introduced me toone of his amazing books in their session room used for psilocybin studies. This classic documentary complements the book and shows his art (and the artist) in process. It won’t resonate with everyone, and it’s a bit odd, but it will strike a chord with many. This is especially true if you’ve spent some time in non-ordinary states. Before watching, I suggest seeing one of his books or at least looking atimages of some of his artwork in nature.— Tim Ferriss

Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats (Peanut Butter Formula)

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2018 · amazon.com

Zuke's Mini Naturals Dog Treats (Peanut Butter Formula). Lots of people have asked me about dog training, so I figured I’d share this (especially given the documentary above). I’ve tried dozens of treat options for my pooch, Molly, and these tiny morsels are the best I’ve found for training purposes. Real peanut butter is the #1 ingredient, and each bite is less than three calories. Small is ideal for speed (especially combined with clicker training); believe it or not, even polar bears can be trained with food items like raisins. For a few basic how-to videos, click here or here. For a real a— Tim Ferriss

Project Nim

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2018 · amazon.com

Project Nim. From the official description: “From the Oscar-winning team behind Man on Wire comes 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.”— Tim Ferriss

▶The History of Singapore: The Miracle of Asia

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2018 · youtube.com

“The History of Singapore: The Miracle of Asia” full documentary (ignore nonsense description). Or… perhaps you’d prefer lighter fare from China? Here you go: “Woman eating candy floss for competition is the best thing you’ll see all day.” The after-glance is the best part.— Tim Ferriss

Living On One Dollar

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2017 · amazon.com

Living On One Dollar. This short documentary was originally recommended to me by the incredible polymath, futurist, and world traveler Kevin Kelly. It’s been recommended several times since, and so far (I’m only 30 minutes in), I’m impressed by the quality and earnestness of this project. Here is the official description on Amazon: “Four young friends set out to live on just $1 a day for two months in rural Guatemala. Armed with only a video camera, they battle hunger, parasites, and extreme financial stress as they attempt to survive life on the edge.” Side note: more than a billion people in— Tim Ferriss

Senna

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2017 · Joe Gebbia · amazon.com

Senna. This documentary has been recommended to me many times, most recently by Joe Gebbia (co-founder of Airbnb), who has seen it multiple times. I finally bit the bullet and… wow. Here’s a description from the film’s IMDB page: “The story of the monumental life and tragic death of legendary Brazilian motor-racing Champion, Ayrton Senna. Spanning the decade from his arrival in Formula One in the mid 80's, the film follows Senna's struggles both on track against his nemesis, French World Champion Alain Prost, and off it, against the politics which infest the sport. Sublime, spiritual, yet, on — Tim Ferriss

Brooklyn Castle

DocumentariesTim featured this 1× · 2017 · Arnold Schwarzenegger · amzn.to

Brooklyn Castle. This documentary was first recommended to me by Arnold Schwarzenegger (podcast with him here), who plays chess on a daily basis. I had a hard time finding it online for two years, and then I chanced upon it on Amazon last week. Here’s the description: “Imagine a school where the cool kids are the chess team! Welcome to I.S. 318. This irresistibly uplifting doc tells the stories of five members of the chess team at an inner city junior high school that has won more national championships than any other in the country.”— Tim Ferriss