Spanish Flu Documentary

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Brayan Sedillo

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Jul 24, 2024, 9:00:46 AM7/24/24

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If you are a long-time reader, you know I LOVE using films in Spanish class. Most of the appropriate films I have shared before on the blog have been fictional, with the exception of Pelotero & Selena.

But I have used quite a few documentaries in my Spanish classes over the years, I just have not blogged about them. This post is an update of a 2017 post about (new at that time) documentaries for Spanish class. It now has a 2023 update, including specific movies on Disney+. Head to the end for the original documentaries, which are not getting harder to find online.

spanish flu documentary

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You know I have shared a lot about Spanish shows on Netflix. But I have recently been on a kick of finding Spanish movies on Disney Plus. If you only have time for short films check out my new post Top 7 Short Spanish Movies on Disney+.

Yes, you can watch most Disney Plus movies and shows in Spanish. *You will want to check what language and subtitles are available on the title in your region.* If you use Spanish or English all depends on the level of the students, if your goal is more focused on culture or language acquisition, and if this is a Sub Plan without the support of a Spanish teacher there. Unless you have very upper-level students I suggest either English audio or subtitles if a Spanish teacher is not there in the room to support students.

Depending on your goals for any of the movies below, you might want to change the language and subtitles on Disney Plus to Spanish. *The audio & subtitle options for each film might vary depending on your region.

The Lost City of Machu Picchu is a 44-minute National Geographic documentary about the history and culture of the Inca civilization. This documentary takes viewers on a journey through the Andes Mountains to uncover the secrets of the Inca people. You could pair this film with a unit about Peru or with the fictional films that take place in Peru Pachamama or Dora & the Lost City of Gold.

Lost Treasures of the Maya is a Spanish-language documentary series. There are 4 45-minute episodes that delve into the mysteries of the ancient Maya civilization. You could pick one, or watch the whole series. From the towering pyramids of Chichen Itza to the intricate carvings of Palenque, this documentary takes viewers through the jungles of Central America to uncover the secrets of this fascinating culture. It has a focus on the area that is now Guatemala, so it would pair with the book Esperanza.

Wild Chile is a visually stunning documentary series that explores the diverse landscapes and wildlife of Chile. Similar to above it is a National Geographic series with 3 45-minute episodes. From the Atacama Desert to Patagonia there is breathtaking footage of animals like pumas, condors, and sea lions in their natural habitats. The series also delves into the cultural and historical significance of these landscapes, showcasing the indigenous communities that have lived in harmony with the land for centuries.

*The following Spanish sports documentaries on Disney Plus are for older students and you should preview them for the use of language and more mature themes. They are a part of the ESPN 30 for 30 series. Another sports option you might like (that is not on Disney+) is the film Pelotero.

The Dominican Dream is a powerful documentary that tells the story of Dominican immigrants to the US. The 100-minute documentary in particular focuses on the family of Felipe Lpez He grew up in poverty in the Dominican Republic and played professional basketball. It is a different twist since baseball is by far the most popular sport in the DR. The Dominican Dream includes the intersection of sports, race, and economic inequality. It highlights Afro-Latinos and could work well during Black History Month.

This is a 48-minute live concert of the music from Coco that was filmed at the Hollywood Bowl. This Disney plus Music special would work well to have this playing in the background while students are working or during a lighter day at the end of the year or around Da de muertos. The concert is mostly in English but has some Spanish included. You could pair it with my Coco Movie Guide & Coco Freebie.

I know that most Spanish documentaries do not have ready-to-go activities (except Pelotero for me). So, to help you out, I put together a few activities designed to use with any one class period documentary or episode of a show of your choice.

I am always on the lookout for presentations at conferences that are given in Spanish on a cultural topic. I love showing authentic films, so I chose a session at #CSCTFL17 on Spanish film class from Israel Fernando Herrera. Most were documentaries with social justice or human rights themes.

This was the first movie from Colombia to be nominated for an Academy Award. It was made in black and white and is about the indigenous living in the Amazon region. Israel actually interviewed the cast and producer of this film on a radio show. This film is available for purchase on Youtube & Amazon.

Of all the movies presented in that session, this is the one I would most likely show in class. It is about children of the dump who have created amazing, functional instruments from the trash that now perform all over the world. This film would be great to add to an environment unit, with a cross-curricular music connection. It also has deep themes of poverty and waste pollution. This film is available right now for purchase on Apple TV & Amazon.

In 1983 154 kids ages 3 to 17 traveled alone from Europe to Montevideo, Uruguay. Their parents could not come back to their home country due to political exile but wanted their children to know their homeland and relatives. This documentary would be great for the theme of human rights.

This documentary is about a traditional dance of Spain, la Jota. This lesser know folk dance and music of Aragon would be an interesting addition to the other widely known styles. It would make an interesting companion to the film Un tango ms (2015) from Argentina.

Incorporating documentaries from Disney Plus or another source as part of your Spanish class can create a more interactive and authentic learning experience for your students. By watching these films, students can learn new vocabulary, develop cultural awareness, and appreciate various perspectives uniquely. These documentaries are not only educational but also engaging and fun, making them perfect for a range of ages and language abilities.

Loads of educational documentaries in Spanish are available out there on all kinds of topics. Read this blog post to access a list of the most interesting documentaries available on popular streaming services!

Los Andes is one of the largest mountain chains in the world, and a great portion of the South American population has settled around them. The importance and impact that these mountains have on the people and their way of living is huge.

This documentary in Spanish, narrated by Pedro Rodriguez and Johnatan Lamb, introduces you to diverse Andean territories and cultures. The musical score and magical shots will make you want to be there and experience that beauty for yourself. The Spanish in this docuseries is clear and easy to understand.

This short documentary film is one of the best on Netflix. Lorena, la de Pies Ligeros is a documentary in Spanish that follows the life of Lorena Ramirez, a young Raramuri woman from Chihuahua, Mexico and her journey to become a recognized athlete.

Recomiendo America is a hidden gem on YouTube with great video quality and even greater stories to tell! This documentary in Spanish is conformed by several 50-minute episodes, each about a different place in Latin America.

Conducted in Spanish by the archeologist Fabio Amador and Andrs Ruzo, this documentary takes us to Teotihuacan, the Yucatan Peninsula, and Quintana Roo to discover the secrets of the rise and the downfall of ancient civilization.d

Part of the project named Grandes Documentales, this episode (that you can watch on Youtube) is perfect for those who are interested in Latin American literary history, specifically the avant-garde movement in the region.

This documentary takes you through several Latin American cities to tell you about their history and other interesting facts. Use this documentary as a way to expand your bucket list on what places on the Spanish speaking part of the continent you want to visit!

While watching documentaries in Spanish is an incredible exercise to increase your vocabulary (and universal knowledge), the truth is that it will never compare to the actual experience of practicing your Spanish with a real-live person.

El cine documental is an innovative intermediate/advanced textbook that provides students with the tools needed to communicate accurately and appropriately in Spanish. Learning is centered on cultural themes related to thought-provoking documentaries from around the Spanish-speaking world. Through the culturally rich and linguistically authentic medium of documentary film, El cine documental provides the experience of listening to many varieties of authentic speech in context, and stimulates conversation and critical thinking by immersing students in the target cultures. Organized to provide scaffolding for students as they develop their skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, each chapter includes five sections: Ver, Leer, Escuchar, Escribir, and Expandir.

An online workbook for El cine documental is also available, click here for more information about the online workbook. Click here for information about where to watch, rent, or purchase the documentary films covered in the textbook. Click here to request the PDF instructor's manual.