Those who light me up.

5 films

Gotham City has its Bat-Signal to summon Batman in times of need. In moments of our own despair, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we, too, could summon someone? With that feeling in mind, I’ve selected five biographical documentaries worth watching again and again. Their subjects come from vastly different walks of life—a Zen master, a dancer, a legal scholar, a writer, and a musician. Each has chosen their own path, carrying their own questions and insights into the world. We, the viewers, are profoundly fortunate. Within a span of around 120 minutes, we get a front-row seat to their moments of difficulty—watching a master retune an out-of-key instrument, or wrestle with an unsolvable problem. We become privileged passengers, momentarily drawing close to another person’s life. And perhaps, after the credits roll, we, too, feel washed clean. The next morning, we wake with a little more clarity, ready to begin again.