Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal (2021)
Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions ScandalMovie on Netflix
”A mastermind orchestrates a scam to sneak rich kids into top US universities.”
Available at home
Subscription
Trailer
Why watch this film?
Directed by Chris Smith (of the excellent 'Fyre Festival'), this documentary once again shows the filmmaker's ability to tell incredible stories in tasty and fun films - even if they have really melancholic or dark moments. Here, in 'Operation Varsity Blues: The College Admissions Scandal', we follow the behind-the-scenes of the investigation that unraveled a criminal system that, through fat payments, put the children of rich American families in the best universities in the country. It's one of those movies that fly by, even with 1h40 of duration, and should please those who don't like the genre. And tip: as a complement, it's worth watching 'Bad Education', with Hugh Jackman.
Filmelier
Our suggestions
Plot summary
Reenactments drive this documentary investigating the mastermind behind a scam to sneak the kids of rich and famous families into top US universities.
To share
Do you want to watch something different?
Watch full movies now!
Press play and be surprised!
Where to watch?
Available at home
From the same director
Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond
Entering character and staying in it throughout a shoot is not an easy task. That is exactly what Jim Carrey did, who authentically brought back the comic Andy Kaufman for 'The Lunatic' (‘Man on the Moon’), which earned him the Golden Globe. 'Jim & Andy', nominated as best documentary at the Venice Film Festival, also follows Carrey's spiritual journey in retrospect, and explores the boundaries between actor and character, fiction and reality.
Fyre
Big parties in paradisiacal places have become common in Brazil and abroad. Fyre Festival was supposed to be the biggest of them all - it would take place on a private island that, according to organizers, had belonged to Pablo Escobar. It turns out that this wasn't the only lie from the producers, with everything going wrong in a pathetic yet fascinating story. The direction is by Chris Smith, from the great 'Jim & Andy'. If you like to watch disappointed socialites and lots of money going down the drain, this documentary is for you.
Sr.
Father of actor and director Robert Downey Jr., Robert Downey Sr. is the honoree of this Netflix documentary that bears the late Hollywood personality's name in its title. Here, over almost 90 minutes, director Chris Smith ("The Tiger Mafia") and Downey Jr. himself pay tribute to Downey Sr., with images of his life, everyday life and his works as a filmmaker. It's hard not to be moved, even if you don't know much about Senior's work, especially because of all the emotional weight the film carries and doesn't shy away from admitting that it's a tribute - and nothing more.
Wham!
It was in 1982 when best friends and still teenagers George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley formed the band Wham! to make music and conquer the world. Four years later, in 1986, they gave their last concert at Wembley Stadium with the mission accomplished. Now, told in their own words, the documentary Wham! tells the incredible story of how in four years they dominated the hit lists all over the world with classic and timeless pop songs like Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, Freedom, I'm Your Man and, of course, Last Christmas, becoming the first Western pop band to perform in China. A documentary that will move fans and celebrate the life of Michael and Ridgeley.
Documentary
What Jennifer Did
Netflix's true crime documentaries are as successful as they are predictable: a case is presented, something doesn't add up, a new revelation emerges, controversy or shock ensues. The same goes for What Jennifer Did, a documentary that delves into the controversial case of Jennifer Pan in Canada during 2010. If you remember it from the news, you already know what the story is about. And if not, you'll soon find out: the documentary follows the same true crime formula, so expect twists and surprises in the narrative.
The Antisocial Network: Memes to Mayhem
A documentary that explores how the internet has progressed from the promise of democratic knowledge and innocent entertainment to a breeding ground for misinformation and even violence that spills over into the real world. The Antisocial Network: Memes to Mayhem traces the path from the social network 4Chan and builds its genealogy up to Facebook and the events of January 6, 2021, in the United States. It doesn't present reflections that aren't obvious to those who have read books or watched other films about the impact of social media, but it's a good starting point to learn about how misinformation works on the internet.
Girls State
Directing duo Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss, known for the award-winning documentary Boys State, return now for Girls State. But it would be a mistake to say it's just a female version of the first documentary. Through a select group of girls participating in a federal government simulation in Missouri, this film reveals, firstly, how American politics operates. But secondly, and more importantly, it explores how an environment supposedly empowering girls can both propel and limit them at the same time, raising questions about what we understand about power and the ways to exercise it.
Earth Protectors
Documentaries about the climate crisis are never too many, but sometimes it can be challenging to find one that presents its arguments in a different and memorable way. Earth Protectors is a worthy attempt. Directed by French artist and environmental activist Anne de Carbuccia, it artistically documents her 10-year journey around the world exploring the impact of climate change in various countries, as well as the solutions undertaken to empower global citizens and address the crisis. At times, de Carbuccia and her works take more prominence than necessary, but she manages to present vital information.
