I felt that I’d start 2024 with a stirring reality appreciation, because the most interesting documentaries – and the stories they tell – are usually best placed for such truth. So, when I stumbled across this trailer for Daniel (beyond the namesake association), I knew instantly this is where the year should begin.

The documentary follows the life of Daniel Northcott, who like so many of us who grew up in a video recorder era, began almost unintentionally documenting his world and surroundings at 7-years-old, after getting hold of his Dad’s video camera.

This is something I definitely relate to, making those films with friends, capturing moments, but sadly I think so many of my VHS got lost along the way but with Daniel, the man and the documentary, he filmed his family and friends as they grew up – and then he kept recording when he went travelling, and meeting people from all over the Globe.

What was collected was over 1,400 hours of vérité-style footage shot in 42 countries across four continents, documenting not only all these people and places but also the curiosity that comes with it, and it became a deep look at himself as he endeavoured to understand the world, and his place within it. I understand that his sister, Erin Northcott, helped bring this life to life, and I’ll be checking it out as soon as I can in the UK:

HBO Documentary Films presents Daniel, it’s out now on HBO Max & I’ll share UK dates soon as I can

The film is produced by Erin Northcott, Jeff Waxman, Jennifer Madeloff, Dan Walser, Ricky Staub, Adam McKay, and Kevin Messick

For HBO executive producers, Nancy Abraham and Lisa Heller; senior producer, Tina Nguyen