As the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences comes under fire — for the second consecutive year — for the lack of diversity among the nominated actors, this year's critically acclaimed documentary features [1] are not only diverse but also vastly momentous. From the emotional looks at Indonesia's genocide, Mexico's war on drugs, and Ukraine's fight for freedom to the revealing biopics about two of the world's musical legends, here's why these five outstanding films deserve your recognition.

The Look of Silence

Already one of the most awarded films in the category, The Look of Silence was more than a decade in the making by Joshua Oppenheimer, who was also behind the 2014 Academy-nominated companion piece, The Act of Killing. The new documentary focuses on an Indonesian family's attempt to come to terms with the 1965 genocide, during which an estimated one million people were killed by a government that continues to maintain a monopoly on power to this day without facing any repercussions. Oppenheimer's film stands as a landmark for the generations of Indonesians, opening their eyes to the propaganda and triggering an international conversation for justice 50 years later.

Cartel Land

This immersive documentary, from Emmy-nominated director Matthew Heineman, captures the story of the American and Mexican vigilante groups waging their own war on drugs. The civilian coalitions take matters into their own hands, risking their lives to protect towns against the ruthless drug cartels. This cinematic masterpiece has been praised for its unimaginable storytelling. It's unfortunately a very real and frightening account of the inescapable acts of extortion, violence, and corruption that people endure every day. The film's unprecedented look at events from the inside of the drug wars is something you have to see to believe.

Winter on Fire: Ukraine's Fight for Freedom

This must-see Netflix documentary about Ukraine's fight for democracy strikes a chord even if you're unfamiliar with the events depicted in detail on social media or news reports. The arresting footage was gathered from the blazing epicenter of the 93-day revolution in Kiev, and it showcases the power of a mass uprising. The president's unexpected pull from the European Union Integration deal triggered millions of people to protest that ultimately resulted in violence. During the brutal Winter of 2014, at least 106 protesters were killed by the authorities and over 900 people suffered serious injuries while the ousted president and his associates fled the country. The film's acclaimed sense of immediacy gives viewers a sense of what the revolution meant to the citizens and why they put their lives on the line for it.

What Happened, Miss Simone?

This Netflix documentary about the "misunderstood" singer and civil rights activist Nina Simone is admired by critics and fans for its revealing narrative and an insightful context. Liz Garbus directed it, in collaboration with Simone's own daughter. Unlike several previously released biopics about the singer, this remarkable tribute project contains the artist's disturbing diary entries, insightful voice-over interviews, and family testimonials, all of which work effectively to help the viewers see past the legend's infamous persona.

Amy

The sudden passing of the beloved and talented Amy Winehouse [2] shocked the world in 2011 when she was found dead from alcohol poisoning at just 27 years of age. The six-time Grammy winner struggled with personal demons, and as the heartbreaking documentary reveals, fame, fortune, and the people around her all contributed to the downward spiral. The director's focus to find answers to the singer's tragic ending compels viewers to see Amy from a different perspective — with the help of numerous interviews and archival footage. This Critics' Choice winner from Asif Kapadia may be the one to take the coveted Oscar!