Documentary films often capture stories that challenge our views on culture, industry, and ethics. This quiz examines moments from notable films by Michael Moore and Morgan Spurlock, plus the impact of the film Blackfish.
You will see questions about specific awards, distribution dramas, and various health or environmental claims. Some facts involve internal corporate records, while others look at the behind-the-scenes controversies that defined these releases.
If you like this quiz, browse our sections on documentary filmmaking, check out our Oscar history archive, or look through our guides on troubled productions.
Which Michael Moore documentary won the Palme d’Or at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival?
Capitalism: A Love Story
Capitalism: A Love Story
Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine
Sicko
Sicko
Fahrenheit 9/11
Fahrenheit 9/11
Which major studio famously blocked the distribution of Michael Moore’s ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ in 2004?
Warner Bros.
Warner Bros.
Disney
Disney
Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures
Morgan Spurlock’s 2004 documentary ‘Super Size Me’ primarily investigates the health impacts of which industry?
Prison system
Prison system
Fast food industry
Fast food industry
Gun violence
Gun violence
Healthcare system
Healthcare system
The 2013 documentary ‘Blackfish’ focuses on the life and captivity of which specific orca?
Keiko
Keiko
Winter
Winter
Shamu
Shamu
Tilikum
Tilikum
In ‘Super Size Me’, for how many consecutive days did Morgan Spurlock limit his diet to only food items available on the McDonald’s menu?
40 days
40 days
50 days
50 days
30 days
30 days
60 days
60 days
Which theme park company was the primary subject of the documentary ‘Blackfish’?
SeaWorld
SeaWorld
Vancouver Aquarium
Vancouver Aquarium
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
MarineLand
MarineLand
Which company released ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ after Disney refused to distribute it?
Sony Pictures Classics
Sony Pictures Classics
Miramax Films
Miramax Films
Fox Searchlight Pictures
Fox Searchlight Pictures
IFC Films
IFC Films
Approximately how much weight did Morgan Spurlock claim to have gained during his ‘Super Size Me’ experiment?
15 pounds
15 pounds
30 pounds
30 pounds
20 pounds
20 pounds
25 pounds
25 pounds
The final act of ‘Sicko’ depicts Michael Moore taking 9/11 rescue workers to which location to seek medical treatment?
Canada
Canada
France
France
Cuba
Cuba
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
How many pounds did the orca Tilikum weigh according to ‘Blackfish’ when discussing his size in captivity?
13,000 pounds
13,000 pounds
11,000 pounds
11,000 pounds
12,000 pounds
12,000 pounds
10,000 pounds
10,000 pounds
In a 2017 statement regarding ‘Super Size Me’, what did Morgan Spurlock reveal about his personal habits during the making of the film?
He did not actually eat the food provided
He did not actually eat the food provided
He only ate the food during lunch
He only ate the food during lunch
He was never a McDonald’s employee
He was never a McDonald’s employee
He was an alcoholic during filming
He was an alcoholic during filming
What distinction did the Palme d’Or win for ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ hold in 2004?
It was the first documentary to win the prize in 48 years
It was the first documentary to win the prize in 48 years
It was the first American film in a decade to win the prize
It was the first American film in a decade to win the prize
It was the second Palme d’Or for Michael Moore
It was the second Palme d’Or for Michael Moore
It was the first documentary to ever win the prize
It was the first documentary to ever win the prize
Which award did ‘Bowling for Columbine’ win at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival?
Best Director
Best Director
Special Jury Prize
Special Jury Prize
Grand Jury Prize
Grand Jury Prize
Audience Award
Audience Award
What specific type of industry practices did the follow-up film ‘Super Size Me 2: Holy Chicken!’ primarily investigate?
Organic farming certifications
Organic farming certifications
Vegan food manufacturing
Vegan food manufacturing
Fast food chicken marketing
Fast food chicken marketing
Dietary supplement labeling
Dietary supplement labeling
What was the primary legal justification used to facilitate the release of ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’ after Disney refused to distribute it?
The timing of the film’s release
The timing of the film’s release
The rating of the film’s intended audience
The rating of the film’s intended audience
The size of the film’s audience
The size of the film’s audience
The specific language of the contract with the Weinsteins
The specific language of the contract with the Weinsteins
What was the primary reason analysts suggest Disney initially blocked the distribution of the film ‘Fahrenheit 9/11’?
The film’s portrayal of Disney executives
The film’s portrayal of Disney executives
The film’s political content potentially jeopardizing tax breaks in Florida
The film’s political content potentially jeopardizing tax breaks in Florida
The film’s use of copyrighted music
The film’s use of copyrighted music
The film’s criticism of the American healthcare system
The film’s criticism of the American healthcare system
What specific event triggered the production of the documentary ‘Blackfish’?
A 2010 incident where Tilikum killed trainer Dawn Brancheau
A 2010 incident where Tilikum killed trainer Dawn Brancheau
A scathing book written by a former trainer
A scathing book written by a former trainer
A 2011 interview with an animal rights activist
A 2011 interview with an animal rights activist
A 2008 viral video of an orca attack
A 2008 viral video of an orca attack
According to the film ‘Blackfish’, what is the approximate average lifespan of a male orca in the wild?
50 to 60 years
50 to 60 years
110 to 120 years
110 to 120 years
80 to 90 years
80 to 90 years
20 to 30 years
20 to 30 years
Which government agency was criticized in ‘Blackfish’ for its insufficient oversight of marine park safety?
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Prior to his documentary filmmaking career, which organization was Michael Moore known to be a member of in the 1980s?
SAG-AFTRA
SAG-AFTRA
The Writers Guild of America
The Writers Guild of America
The Directors Guild of America
The Directors Guild of America
The Producers Guild of America
The Producers Guild of America
What was the core thesis presented by the documentary ‘Blackfish’ regarding orca behavior in captivity?
The orcas’ aggression was natural, not learned behavior
The orcas’ aggression was natural, not learned behavior
The orcas had been illegally captured in foreign waters
The orcas had been illegally captured in foreign waters
The captivity environment caused psychological distress leading to aggression
The captivity environment caused psychological distress leading to aggression
The orcas’ primary diet in parks was different from the wild
The orcas’ primary diet in parks was different from the wild
Which film was Michael Moore’s directorial debut that gained him national attention?
Roger & Me
Roger & Me
Sicko
Sicko
Bowling for Columbine
Bowling for Columbine
Fahrenheit 9/11
Fahrenheit 9/11
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