By Andrés Muñoz
When my editor asked me to write about five untalked-about-Netflix shows, I wondered… how will I know these shows? While I know that Netflix recently released a report of its hourly numbers that leaves quite a few unanswered questions, I believe this issue is a simpler one: All the shows Netflix recommends are based on a specific algorithm that has pinned our tastes down to a T.
Considering this, I’ll go out on a limb and suggest five (no, wait… 7 because there’s a collection) pieces of content I haven’t heard as many people talk about and, in my opinion, deserve more exposure.
World War II: From The Frontlines
I’ve always been a World War 2 buff, so my exploration of archival footage has been vast. I love watching documentaries and reading books about this pivotal point in history. I have even recommended a couple of series related to the subject in previous articles. So imagine my surprise when this recently released series has a trove of video archives in colour!
The only colour resource I had previously accessed was the photobook Victory In Europe: D-Day to VE Day in Full Color. I am absolutely sure that some of the archival footage of the series comes from the photographers and filmmakers who created the material for this photobook.
Brilliantly narrated by John Boyega, the series spans six episodes and is currently one of the top-rated shows on Netflix. While there are tons of photos, it is easy to see that a couple of them have been retouched and maybe (mayyybe) even colorised, but still, it’s a fantastic watch. Make sure to include it on your upcoming documentary viewing night!
Wes Anderson’s Four Roald Dahl Short Films
What would you expect when you take a series of children’s stories and ask Wes Anderson to direct them? Known for the brilliant design of his films, Wes Anderson’s aesthetic has been a cinema staple for the past quarter of a century. Furthermore, he is no stranger to Roald Dahl’s works, having shot Fantastic Mr Fox in 2009.
Launched in September 2023, four new Roald Dahl short film adaptations directed by Anderson were released and seem to be rather… under the radar, if you ask me. Yes, the shorts are on television, but the actors take lines directly from the book in a very theatrical style. The four shorts are: “The Swan“, “The Rat Catcher“, “Poison“, and “The Wonderful Story Of Henry Sugar“.
The cast features former Anderson collaborators like Ralph Fiennes, but there are also new additions, notably Benedict Cumberbatch, Dev Patel, and Sir Ben Kingsley. The blend of Dahl’s words with Anderson’s cinematic style makes it a must-watch!
Cowboy Bebop: The Animated Series
Lots of us know about the live-action series that hit Netflix and was cancelled in the blink of an eye in late 2022. However, tell me: have you actually seen the iconic series from the late 90s?
This is, by far, my favourite animated series of all time, so I’m guilty of shamelessly plugging it in. Set in 2071, it is about a series of space bounty hunters. Directed by Japanese maestro Shinichiro Watanabe (known for other works like Samurai Champloo and two The Animatrix episodes), the story takes inspiration from old westerns, the Jazz Age, and general Americana.
The soundtrack is a marvel of its own. Created by a young Yoko Kanno (who became a major player in Japan), it is a melting pot of genres, emphasising jazz. The series’ episodes are called Sessions, and you can expect other genres like country, heavy metal, blues, classical… even opera makes the cut!
Atlanta
Even though Atlanta premiered in 2016, I only learned of the show’s existence this year. This may have happened to others, so I want to give this series as much exposure as possible.
Previously, when I thought of Donald Glover, I immediately thought of the comedy series Community, and that’s pretty much it. Later on, I learned how much of a prolific creator he is. A skilled musician who has released several albums and music videos, Atlanta is one of his most successful series. The show follows Earnest “Earn” Marks, played by Glover, as he navigates the complexities of the local music scene while managing his cousin Alfred “Paper Boi” Miles’ burgeoning rap career.
It doesn’t just stay there, though. The series skillfully blends comedy and drama, offering a unique and often surreal perspective on African American life and culture. The storytelling is innovative, and the episodes tackle issues like race, identity, and socioeconomic challenges African American people in the United States face on the regular.
And so, I’ve covered some lesser-known documentaries, animated series, short films, and Emmy Award-winning creations, but what other series do you think should get more exposure? Please let us know if you have any other recommendations in the comments section below!