--
By Stephanie Ornelas
Pictured: Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010)
Biographical films give us the opportunity to learn about lives different from our own, with all the tragedy, triumph, and tears that accompany them. The people who tell those stories provide us with a unique lens. Today is National Biographers Day, the day Samuel Johnson - famous poet, essayist, literary critic, and editor - met his biographer James Boswell, who authored the beloved book The Life of Samuel Johnson.
Like Boswell's piece on Johnson, these projects are a powerful reminder that sometimes, when you're given a small window into someone's life through a film or a book, you can learn more than you thought possible. They help us understand the lives (or segments thereof) of past and present prominent people - both famous and infamous.
Johnson once wrote, It matters not how a man dies, but how he lives. So, to honor this day, here are eight Sundance films available to stream right now that tell the incredible stories of the lives (and some, the deaths) of a few notable public figures.
RBG (2018)
In this Oscar-nominated film, filmmakers Betsy West and Julie Cohen gain unprecedented access to explore the life and career of United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg - and examine how her legacy propelled the battle for gender equality. (Available to stream on Tubi and Vudu.)
Lucy & Desi (2022)
Director Amy Poehler explores the unlikely partnership and enduring gift of one of the most prolific power couples in entertainment history. With special access to family archives, Poehler takes a look at the life of the '50s comedy trailblazers Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz. (Available to stream on Amazon Prime.)
Grizzly Man (2005)
Werner Herzog's remarkable film chronicles the life and death of bear enthusiast Timothy Treadwell and what drove him to live among grizzly bears on an Alaskan reserve. A devoted conservationist, Treadwell believed he had finally bridged the gap between human and beast. But when one of the bears he loved and protected turns on him, his footage serves as a window into our understanding of nature's grim realities. (Available to stream on YouTube.)
NAVALNY (2022)
In this jaw-dropping film, creator Daniel Roher was given unprecedented access to Russian opposition leader and former presidential candidate Alexei Navalny. NAVALNY details the 2020 assassination attempt of Navalny, in which he was poisoned with a military-grade nerve agent. (Available to stream on Hulu Premium.)
Biggie & Tupac (2002)
Formerly known as LA Story, the feature-length film centers around two murdered American rappers, Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur. In the film, creator Nick Broomfield suggests the two murders were planned by Suge Knight, head of Death Row Records. (Available to stream on Amazon Prime.)
jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy (2022)
Sometimes the best stories are told by our friends who were there in the beginning. The film jeen-yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy documents the life of rapper, record producer, and fashion designer Kanye West. Directors Coodie and Chike were given front-row seats to the early stages of Kanye's music career, giving fans and viewers not just a peek inside West's triumphs, but also his struggles. (Available to stream on Netflix.)
Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go for It (2021)
Director Mariem P rez Riera tells the story of Rita Moreno, a girl born into poverty on a Puerto Rican farm who overcomes relentless racism to become an award-winning singer, actor, and dancer. In addition to looking closely at her personal life, including romances and personal struggles, the film also addresses the extremely limited ideas Hollywood has of Latin actors and actors of color, a problem that persists in the present day. (Available to stream on Netflix.)
Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work (2010)
Following the life and career of veteran comedian Joan Rivers, directors Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg explore her early years in the comedy industry and touch on her longtime professional relationships with celebrities like Johnny Carson, George Carlin, Phyllis Diller, Kathy Griffin, and her own daughter, Melissa Rivers. (Available to stream on Roku Channel.)
North America Stories
19/03/2026
Berklee Popular Music Institute's 24th Showcase Channels '80s Prom Nosta...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
How Chris Bolte Builds the Sound of PlayStation Games Chris Bolte '16 is a technical sound designer at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helps create the...
19/03/2026
It's a double feature on GFN Thursday. This week, GeForce NOW offers smoother sights in virtual reality (VR) and a sprawling new land to conquer.
Streaming...
18/03/2026
Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4.
Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...
18/03/2026
SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...
18/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...
18/03/2026
(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...
18/03/2026
SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...
18/03/2026
Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...
18/03/2026
Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
18/03/2026
Back to All News
Preparatevi Alla Terza E Ultima Stagione De La Legge di Lidia ...
18/03/2026
Back to All News
Netflix Drops Teaser and First Look Images for The Chestnut M...
17/03/2026
NASA+'s Rebecca Sirmons and Brittany Brown offer unique look at live streami...
17/03/2026
The transition to IP has fundamentally reshaped professional media infrastructures. Video, audio, and increasingly metadata now circulate as independent, precis...
17/03/2026
Live sports streaming can push every element in your video delivery chain to its limit, exposing every potential weakness in seconds. When the Super Bowl, the O...
17/03/2026
Texas Athletics sought to modernize its media production, enhance fan experience...
17/03/2026
Ikegami USA will demonstrate the latest additions to its wide range of broadcast...
17/03/2026
TNA Wrestling and iHeartMedia announces a new multi-platform collaboration that will integrate iHeartMedia across TNA's premium live events, weekly televisi...
17/03/2026
The goal was to transform Hard Rock Stadium into a global leader in sports and e...
17/03/2026
Spectrum has announced the launch of its new Multiview feature in the Spectrum TV App, giving customers the ability to watch up to four NCAA men's or women&...
17/03/2026
Genius Sports deal also covers data technology, AI, fan engagement, and performance analysis....
17/03/2026
Net Insight is supporting the rollout of a new state-wide centralized operation with Rede Massa, which is an SBT affiliate, the Brazilian regional television ne...
17/03/2026
Featuring audio from practice sessions, qualifying races, and Grand Prix races, the film represents Apple's sports-media ambitions
At Sunday night's Ac...
17/03/2026
Live broadcast has always been one of the most demanding environments in media a...
17/03/2026
DirecTV is introducing several new viewing features, including a multi-screen March Madness Mix channel and an updated Sports Central mobile app hub, ahead of...
-- 
