Louis Theroux: Law and Disorder in Lagos

Renowned documentarian Louis Theroux dived into the BBC Archives and selected his favourite documentaries. Each of them had an impact on Louis and explains why he chose the documentaries and how they have inspired his work.. Covering a range of styles - some vérité-driven, others told more through interview - but in all of them you see life at its most raw, its most strange and therefore its most human.

Meet women in UK, legally providing sexual services, either to make a living or to supplement their income, potentially earning hundreds of pounds per hour.

Trik Lycée

"Gilbert & George first presented the ‘Singing Sculpture’ in 1969, then repeated it over the next years in the UK, Europe and Australia, as well as New York for the opening of the Sonnabend Gallery in 1971. Standing on a table and with their faces and hands covered in metallic paint, Gilbert and George sing along to a recording of Flanagan and Allen’s old-time music-hall hit ‘Underneath the Arches’, all the while moving mechanically. An anthem to down-and-outs, the song became a mantra for the artists. Always happy to elaborate, they have said, ‘We think of ourselves as two funny tramps, rather than artists according to the popular idea.’

This feature documentary studies the different faces of Montreal’s Greek community in 1969. Instead of giving voice to the businessmen and well-integrated few, the film highlights the cultural and economic problems encountered by new immigrants and their families.

CBC documentary about the making of the original Canadian production of The Phantom of the Opera

Music, myth, and memory mix as one of the last great untold World War II stories unfolds against an Irish landscape. Three hundred thousand American servicemen and women served in Northern Ireland from 1942 to 1945. Soldiers trained for the invasion of North Africa and Normandy, sailors fought the Battle of the Atlantic and U.S. airmen flew coastal patrols from Northern Ireland ports and bases. History has forgotten much of this, but the people still remember. And now GIs themselves return to Northern Ireland to complete the tale. Introduced by Walter Cronkite, who was himself a "Yank in Ireland," the program follows World War II veterans back to their "Home Away From Home." Secrets are revealed and old loves renewed in these moving stories. Rare photographs and archival film help tell the stories.

Pepa, Antoñita, Pepi, Esperanza, Remedios, Kiska, Catalina and Rafaela are women between the ages of 68 and 97 from Seville's Triana district. All share a dream: they want to be monologuists, to enjoy success in the world of showbusiness and to defend the right of older women to respect and visibility. They have therefore created a show entitled Orgullo vieja. The film follows the process of creating the company, the rehearsals, the premiere in Seville and their travels throughout Andalusia.

Headmaster Sturgeon has had enough. In an attempt to put an end to Bruno and Boots high jinks, he declares that they are to be separated; no shared classes and, most certainly, no shared dorm room. This punishment is worse than anything the boys could have imagined. However, if Bruno and Boots can alienate every boy in Dormitory 3, Sturgeon will be forced to re-unite them. The plot almost succeeds, but one misstep forces the girls from the Scrimmage Academy for Education and Awakening to move into Macdonald Hall, leaving Bruno and Boots back where they started.

A summer’s day in a former German military barrack: children forced to flee Ukraine have found refuge here. In their games, they discover military symbols from the past and link them to their experiences.

In her own words, through personal video and diaries, Pamela Anderson shares the story of her rise to fame, rocky romances and infamous sex tape scandal.

Follow the story of a leopard mother as she raises her cubs near the Luangwa River, facing a constant battle to hunt successfully, defend her territory and protect her cubs against enemies.

Avant la catastrophe - La Chute de la République de Weimar (1930-1933)

A once-prosperous coal mining town is now in decline, as Chinese economic policy has pivoted away from coal. Through the director’s own family, the film depicts the source of life—mined from the darkness of 800 meters underground—that has given, as well as taken away from them.

A documentary about the United States Military Academy at West Point that conveys the vibrancy, sense of fraternity and fierce loyalty that mark the West Point experience.

A prequel to Marion and Geoff, which captures on camcorder the fateful events at a garden party when mini-cab driver Keith's life fell apart. Friends and family have gathered for a barbecue to celebrate the career of Keith's wife Marion, who is at the party with her boss, Mr Sushimoto, and her colleague, Geoff. However, Keith's father-in-law uncovers the true extent of Marion's naked ambition, with humiliating results for Keith.

The last two decades have seen a striking decline in the quality of sound and listening experience. Compressed music, MP3s and streaming, have diminished the quality and flattened the emotion. Marketing gimmicks and convenience now take the place of excellence. The Distortion of Sound is an eye-opening exposé of the current state of sound starring Linkin Park, Slash, Quincy Jones and more. This documentary will open your ears and inspire you to reach for richer, more soul-stirring musical experiences.

Recently widowed after 41 years of marriage, Frank Walsh meets the outgoing Florence, sparking joy back into his life again. However, there is clear disapproval of her from his grown children, especially his eldest son Robert. As Frank and Florence grow closer in their relationship, Robert begins to change his perspective on their commitment and devotion to one another.

This short film depicts Canada as it was a hundred years ago, as seen through the paintings of artist and adventurer Cornelius Krieghoff. The changing seasons, the Quebec countryside, village life — all were an unending inspiration to Krieghoff.

After getting dropped by her publisher, celebrated novelist Hannah Ryan uses the negative forces in her life to inspire the creation of a pulp crime serial that posts new chapters to subscriber's devices every week. The initial release is a modest success but the work becomes a massive hit after a real life murder takes place that bears a striking similarity to Hannah's story. Is it really just a coincidence or is it possible that a copycat serial killer is acting out the fictitious murders in real life? And is he going to strike again once Hannah releases her next chapter?