‘White With Fear’ and two other documentaries to watch right now

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As networks and streaming services compete for viewers, they’re increasingly turning to real-life stories. With so many documentaries available, it can be tough to find the really good ones. That’s where Well Documented comes in – each month, we offer an in-depth look at one documentary and highlight others worth watching.

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‘White With Fear’ (PBS, PBS.org, PBS app)

Andrew Goldberg’s documentary, “White With Fear,” reveals how conservative politicians have strategically used racial anxieties to gain votes over the past six decades. The film shows how figures like Presidents Nixon, Reagan, and Trump, with support from Rupert Murdoch and right-wing media, deliberately appealed to the fears of white voters to win elections.

In his film, Goldberg contends that the Republican party has become defined by racial resentment and animosity. He argues this transformation occurred through the use of white supremacist rhetoric and deliberate misinformation campaigns targeting Black communities, followed by Muslims and immigrants.

Before his film premiered on PBS Tuesday, Goldberg discussed the project and what he hoped to achieve with it. This conversation has been shortened and clarified for readability.

What are you hoping to convey?

As a journalist, my role is to report the facts, not to try and convince people to think a certain way. However, many people aren’t aware of what’s happening, and they’re easily influenced. These tactics, which can even be openly prejudiced, are shaping how they vote and what they buy. It’s our responsibility to inform them about how they’re being manipulated.

I would also be happy if other members of the media would recognize how they too are used.

Were you concerned about repeatedly sharing statements from people like Trump and Stephen Miller?

Honestly, a lot of us weren’t thrilled about having to play clips of Trump and Miller, and there was a real concern about giving them too much of a platform. We really worked hard to pick short, impactful examples that proved our points without letting them dominate the conversation. I always believe it’s important to keep the discussion moving forward, not getting stuck repeating the same arguments over and over.

Reagan was known for subtly appealing to certain voters, while the documentary points out that Trump is much more direct. The question is whether Trump’s openly prejudiced statements about Mexicans, Haitians, and even seemingly supporting white supremacists will ultimately hurt him with independent voters.

Major events with widespread impact tend to be what truly affect Trump. We saw this with COVID, and I expect the economy and any potential conflict with Iran will also have consequences for him. However, it seems there’s very little negative reaction, or ‘fallout,’ no matter how extreme his statements become.

The program explores the increase in threats, violence, and hate crimes targeting Muslims following the 9/11 attacks and Asians during the COVID-19 pandemic. It asks whether conservative viewpoints contribute to this problem.

I avoided directly claiming that certain things caused the violence, because figuring out cause and effect is complicated. That’s really a matter for experts like statisticians and social scientists. However, it’s reasonable to suggest that the violence stemmed from hate, and that hateful rhetoric from political leaders played a significant role. While I wouldn’t say the violent acts were caused by the rhetoric, it would be wrong to pretend there was no connection at all.

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‘Ghost Elephants’ (NatGeo, Hulu, Disney+)

Werner Herzog’s film, “Ghost Elephants,” isn’t really about the elephants themselves. Like many of Herzog’s films, it primarily follows a man on a difficult journey, and explores interesting side stories along the way.

Stephen Boyes, a naturalist, thinks there’s a population of very large elephants living secretly on a remote plateau in Angola. He believes these elephants are related to an exceptionally large elephant that was hunted decades ago and is now preserved at the Smithsonian museum.

He explains his lifelong fascination with these creatures, saying he feels like he’s been chasing a fantasy. Now, he’s finally embarking on a journey to find them and study their genetic makeup, hopeful that his dream will become reality.

Herzog portrays the Bushmen who help Boyes as respectful, hardworking, and smart, avoiding any overly sentimental depiction. He also beautifully captures the harshness and splendor of the African environment. True to his style, Herzog includes surreal moments – like an elephant in water appearing dreamlike – and quirky observations. For example, while filming in a DNA lab, the camera pans from an elephant skull to a table of dead birds, prompting Herzog’s characteristically thoughtful narration, “I was puzzled by the array of dead birds,” before the scene continues.

At its core, the film follows Boyes’ idealistic quest to find the elephants, a journey supported by trackers, anthropologists, and ultimately, a local king. Boyes admits he’s unsure whether he’d rather actually find the elephants or continue the search indefinitely, suggesting he might even prefer the pursuit itself.

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‘Born to Bowl’ (HBO, HBO Max)

While it probably won’t cause a massive surge in bowling’s popularity like “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” did for racing, the new five-part A24 series, “Born to Bowl,” is surprisingly enjoyable. The creators, James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte – known for documentaries like “McMillions” and “The Big Conn” – treat the bowlers themselves with respect, even as they playfully poke fun at the sport. The series starts with a humorous montage narrated by Liev Schreiber, set to the dramatic “Ride of the Valkyries,” and quickly covers bowling’s history, all the way from ancient times to the modern game, even including a clip from John Turturro in “The Big Lebowski.”

As a total movie buff, I was surprised by how fascinating this documentary turned out to be! It dives into the surprisingly detailed history of bowling – everything from the evolution of the balls (and the bags they carry!), to the little-known two-handed technique, and even the different oil patterns they use on the lanes. But it doesn’t get bogged down in technicalities. What really grabbed me were the stories of the bowlers themselves – guys like Kyle Troup and Anthony Simonsen. Their journeys, the challenges they faced, and their triumphs? That’s what truly makes this series special.

Review

‘Born to Bowl’ follows the pursuit of glory as bowling struggles to survive

This five-part HBO documentary, with Ben Stiller as an executive producer, profiles five professional bowlers competing on the PBA tour and explores the challenges facing the sport’s future.

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2026-03-24 13:31