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HIDDEN TRACES
The First World War: soldiers from at least 20 countries were plunged in the hell of trenches and caught under a deluge of bombs. A century later, archaeologists help bring to light the daily life of the soldiers fighting on the French Eastern Front and reveal unexpected aspects of life on the front.
CREATIVE KILLERS
EP. 03. Peppered across Africa are a few iconic locations that are renowned for killing action. Arenas bathed in a history of blood, places where Africa’s icons have hunted successfully for generations. Predators here develop unique and clever ways to hunt. But the circumstances aren’t the driving factor in this story. Sometimes these predators look for the perfect patch of ground to kill, a small area of long grass, or a single path that leads to the perfect ambush. How do they amplify their age-old skills by using the lie of the land? The fastest mammal on the planet, Cheetah’s don’t only use speed to kill. They use look out points to scan for weak prey and a baby fawn as lure to get its mother to come closer. Africa’s heavy weight the Lion is twice the weight and half the speed of the Cheetah. They need cover to hunt down their prey, so they stake out ambush points in Gullies, Marshland and Forest, lying in wait for their prey the wildebeest. We follow three characters through the Ndutu rainy season, starting with the arrival of the annual wildebeest migration, through to the wildebeest calves growing up and continuing their journey to the north-west. The film looks at how our characters use the environment and features of the landscape to their advantage. Reflecting on how they have learnt this from previous generations and will pass onto the next.
GALLA WALLAH: THE SEARCH FOR THE BEST
The valleys of Nepal, around the Himalayan Mountains - the highest in the world - are the home of a special group of people callled the Ghurkhas. Because of the discipline and endurance they exhibit in their daily fight for survival, they are employed in the elite battalion of the British Army. For more than 200 years, the Ghurkhas have served the crown. Every year, more than 25,000 people apply for a position as a Ghurkhas, with only a few lucky ones chosen. For the chosen ones, it feels as though they have hit the jackpot. For the others, it is considered to be the worst defeat of their life.
NATURE'S FORCE
EP. 01. Journey inside Dust Storms to see how they are formed and the hazards and effects they cause. A glimpse into the science of Clouds and how they fit into the weather cycle of the planet. The power of Lightening is more than visual, it is noise, electricity and it even helps plants to grow. Did you know that Rain droplets have different shapes and temperatures, it’s maybe more interesting than you think?
NATURE'S FORCE
EP. 02. Heatwaves have caused cities to literally meltdown and systems to fail, how are we working with nature’s heat? When two Cyclones collide, we get the Fujiwhara Effect, how is this possible and how does it manifest? Floods occur around the world and the world is learning how to cope, combat and prevent damage and share lessons. How do you classify a Blizzard, and let’s look at some of the worst blizzards that have occurred on earth. Do you really know how to measure Rainfall and how to identify violent rain from a shower or appreciate when we have had enough or too much?
THE TIGERS FROM SCOTLAND
Narrated by Iain Glen, this film focuses on the fragile existence of the Scottish Wildcats, their status and what conservation efforts are being undertaken to ensure their survival.
IN THE STARLIGHT
In the Starlight is an intimate portrayal about the life of nature photographer Paul Zizka and his quest to capture the night skies.
TRAVEL THRU HISTORY
SALT LAKE CITY. Westward ho! We settle in Salt Lake City, where we learn about Bringham Young's settlement of the Utah territory and his monument at This is the Place Park. Then we dig in the dirt to find hundreds of perfectly preserved dinosaurs at the Utah Natural History museum. We'll take a look at some US aviation history at the Hill Air force Base museum, and see how life was like for the Utah pioneers at Frontier Homestead State Park.
TRAVEL THRU HISTORY
TORONTO. TTH heads to the great white North…kind of. We visit the world class city of Toronto. There we'll head straight up the Western Hemisphere's tallest structure, the CN Tower. Next we score a look at the Hockey Hall of Fame and see a North American castle at Casa Loma. Finally we see how the British defended their city against the newly formed United States at Fort York.
ISETENKHEB'S EGYPTIAN COFFIN
Follow from the amazing restoration process of one of the most cherished and mysterious pieces of History: an Egyptian sarcophagus covered with hieroglyphics (painted wood). With exclusive interviews of experts, art curators and restorators, discover everything about the story of the Isetenkheb coffin of Ancient Egypt dated from around 664-500 BC !
JAPANESE HEIGHTS
There is more to Japan's natural landscape than just Mount Fuji! Discover the country's numerous mountains and the ethos of the people who live there. From mountains with eight peaks, mountain gods who keep locals in their awe to building snow monsters & embracing modern activities like skiing - this documentary shows the unseen side to Japan!
THAILAND'S ELEPHANTS, GET OUT OF THE CITY!
In former times, 4.000 elephants and their Mahouts used to work in Thailand's forestry but nowadays, they are no longer welcome in Bangkok. Since then, at the end of the 1980s, when the government stopped deforestation, they have been unemployed. More and more elephant guides have moved to the big cities. For 4 years now, the government has been trying to ban them from the cities, as they are a safety risk for street traffic. Non Yamdee lives with his elephant Poon Thap in the outer districts of Bangkok but doesn't want to be caught by the police and resettled. He has heard about a new elephant camp in the south – and that is where he intends to go.
GUANO THE ISLAND OF AGONY
Millions of sea birds nest on the Peruvian coastline. Their excrement - guano - is highly valuable, and is exported as fertilizer all over the world. Guano farming is done manually, in the same way it was done during the period of the Incas. Only the strongest of men can endure the harsh work, as well as the long months of isolation on the uninhabited islands. The stench of the excrement is difficult to bear, and the acidic dust burns the lungs. 360° - GEO followed the workers who collect the guano. A documentary on the islands of suffering.
FINE COCOA FROM ESMERALDA
Cacao Nacional from Ecuador is also known as "Theobroma Cacao" or "food of the gods". The pods grow in the remotest regions of the country, including in small villages along the Rio Santiago and the Rio Napo. Theobroma's distinctive flavor is valued by chocolatiers around the world. The high demand helps cocoa farmers like Lilian and Cleofe develop a new, long-term and more reliable means of subsistence. Cocoa plantations also immensely benefit the environment: cocoa trees grow in mixed species plantations and thereby protect the rainforest. They represent an alternative to palm tree plantations that are highly destructive to the local environment.
DIVING OFF CAPE HORN
Mid-July, during the Antarctic winter when night-time temperatures sink to -20ºC, marks the beginning of the Centolla season on Tierra del Fuego. Spider crabs can grow up to a half meter long and may only be caught during a few months. It's peak season for crab fishermen on Cape Horn. Taking their boats out to sea, they will hoist the popular delicacy out of the icy water.
TRAVEL THRU HISTORY
DENVER. We head underground and visit the Hidee Gold Mine to see how this most precious material is obtained. Then we get a tour of the brand new History Colorado Center where we’ll explore Colorado’s past through first hand stories and interactive attractions.
A DOG'S LIFE
A Dog’s Life explores the widely assumed facts that may actually be based on faulty and out-dated research. Ingenious experiments and meticulous observation reveal that the problems dogs solve best are those that involve interacting with humans. A fascinating and fun documentary that gives us ‘a dog’s eye view’ on the world.
CORNWALL'S NARCISSUS ISLAND
360°GEO - Report spends the days in the run up to Easter on a flower farm. We also dive with playful grey seals in the Atlantic Ocean and reveal more than just the secrets of flower-growing.At the tip of the world - Landsend in Cornwall - are the Isles of Scilly. About 2,000 people live on these islands located at the entrance to the English Channel. Some of the locals are fishermen but their main activity is flower farming.The nearby Gulf Stream provides the islands with a year-round mild climate and as a result, millions of flowers are grown along the Atlantic Coast. Churchtown Farm specializes in Narcissi, and so it the pressure is on in the run up to Easter.
IN THE DARKNESS
An immersion in the heart of the biggest West-African prison: Abidjan. Located out of sight at the border of the Banco forest, this prison host 5,000 inmates but has capacity for 1,500. With the inmates’ help, life inside is organized, and a degree of stability exists.
DEPLETED URANIUM
More than 50 countries now possess weapons based on depleted uranium (DU). Experimentation has been rife, and the consequences for civilians and the military alike have been dramatic. This investigation compares and contrasts the arguments of those who defend and attack a technology that is highly toxic. For 20 years, scientists, doctors, veterans and activists have denounced the use of DU. Against them are the arms industry lobbyists and nuclear authorities who continue to minimise the risks. Through archive documents, interviews and in situ investigations, accompanied by key witnesses (victims, experts...) we aim to present a clearer picture of the issues and stakes linked to the use of DU. Quick-paced, with a sense of urgency, the film underlines the essential background and conflicting viewpoints, enabling viewers to make up their own minds about a subject that concerns us all.
THE MYSTERY OF DARK MATTER
Dark matter, which is unknown and undetectable in our physical models, would appear to populate the cosmos on a massive scale. For the first time, a film portrays the wild scientific quest that dark matter gives rise to. A real thriller. In our physical models, the weight of all observable matter (stars, galaxies, etc.) accounts for just 4% of the universe, whereas an invisible, unknown matter that no tool has ever been able to detect appears to populate the universe on a massive scale. Today, astrophysicists and cosmologists - researchers in the fields of the infinitely large and the infinitely small - are joining forces to solve a major mystery: what is this famous “dark matter” made up of? A breath-taking thriller that leads us to the dawn of a scientific and metaphysical revolution, akin to Copernic’s or Galileo’s. It could totally change the way we perceive our world. 2013 : Best film Award at the International Science Film Festival (Athens, Greece).
INDIA'S JUNGLE BOOK HOSPITAL
In the densely populated India, living space for wild animals is getting short. Around the country land is being cultivated and houses are constructed. India's only scientifically run rehabilitation center offers shelter for wild animals. Here veterinarians Dr. Phulmoni Gogi and Dr. Prasanta Boro take care of ill and injured animals, which got in conflict with civilization and would have hardly survived on their own: a feverish buffalo, a dozen orphaned elephants and a young rhinoceros. With a lot of dedication and patience, the doctors aim is to slowly raise the awareness of the people to save the wild animals.
THE TECH EFFECT
EP. 05. In this episode we look at some of the ways technology is helping us solve the big environmental problems of our age. From satellites that map sea surface height, to the development of sustainable fuels such as hydrogen, scientists are using their ingenuity to find answers that will enhance our lives in the future. An aircraft that runs just on solar power, a tech company that’s using its mapping expertise to fight floods and a farmer using futuristic technology to protect his tomato plants are among the innovations profiled in this episode.
THE TECH EFFECT
EP. 06. In this episode we visit the home of the future, a place where automation, robotics and connectivity combine to create an easier and more sustainable life for its human inhabitants. From personal robots, to indoor hydroponic gardens, electronics companies are competing to find the most intuitive solutions to automating household chores. This episode also explores advances in technology in the motoring world, such as drones that give drivers advance warning of upcoming hazards, a “robot whisperer” who visits a car factory to study robotic body language and how Lamborghini is conducting carbon fibre tests in space. Finally, we look at how home gaming and drone racing are using innovation to expand entertainment options.
HISTORIC FOOTBALL MATCH IN FLORENCE
Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance, is today a so-called "museum-city". The small city center is invaded by thousands of tourists every day. But there is one sport tourists usually don't know : the calcio florentino, a violent game with no rules, exclusively for Florentine people. Struggling with the consequences of gentrification, the city is losing its identity and its citizens. But there is still one way in which Florence and the "Fiorentini" can express their own identity - the "Calcio Storico Fiorentino" (Historical Florentine soccer), a game that has been played in Florence for 800 years but only 3 days a year in the month of June! This primitive, tough and dangerous mix of football and boxing is played in one of the world's most famous squares, the Piazza Santa Croce. The players can hit the ball with their hands or feet, and they can stop their adversaries in any way possible. These two rules make the game one of the roughest sports ever played.
WORLD AFTER FUKUSHIMA
The derisory dosimeters, located at crossroads and hanging around children’s necks, are a constant reminder of the invisible monster and of the deadly particles people attempt to retain by placing bottles of water on windowsills. 2 years on, in the region of Fukushima, people’s lives - or at least their “existences” - carry on, as they integrate radioactive pollution into their daily lives. Beyond the earthquake and the tsunami, the nuclear catastrophe has revealed the shortcomings of a system and its criminal arrogance. And everyone remembers with dread the series of errors and procrastinations that sealed their fate, as politicians preferred to “downplay the situation instead of reducing risks”.
WONDER
COLOR. Seg 1 Chromatic Adaptation. Chromatic adaptation is the ability of humans to adjust to changes in brightness to keep up with the appearance of colors. this is the reason why we are able to perceive colors properly even though lighting in real environments change constantly. Seg 2 Color-changing animals. Color changing in animals are developed adaptations which the animals use for various applications such as signaling their species or as a way to hide from predators. Animals that can change color have specialized cells called chromatophores that can alter pigmentation and light reflecting properties. Seg 3 How do we see the color pink. We are able to see pink because our brains are able to perceive variations in light and color. Although pink as a wavelength does not exist in the light spectrum, it is our brains that processes light in a such a way that we are able to perceive combinations of colors thus giving us a way to see colors like pink. Seg 4 Blue wings, blue feathers. Blue rarely exists in nature. But due to evolution, structural features in the wings and feathers of some animals allow light to bend in ways that make it possible to reflect the color blue. Seg 5 Snow camouflage. Snow camouflage, is a type of camouflage that certain creatures use to hide during winter. It is typically characterised by differing shades of grays and whites.
WONDER
PROBLEMS. Seg 1 Monty Hall problem. The Monty Hall Problem poses a counter-instinctive dilemma of picking a choice with a higher probability of winning. It has been calculated that switching from a player’s initial choice to the last option possible, after eliminating all empty choices, instead of sticking with the initial choice gives a bigger chance of winning. Seg 2 The Birthday Problem. The Birthday Problem presents a situation that addresses brains’ unintuitive response to exponents. We try to figure out why it’s possible for only 23 people to have a 50% chance of sharing a birthday when there are 365 unique birthdays. The dilemma usually comes in when we gloss over the fact that even small groups can form several pairings, and we actually compute the probability of sharing a birthday by subtracting the chances of not sharing a birthday by multiplying individual probabilities with each other. The answers can be quite surprising when the math to be done is not instinctive for people. Seg 3 Gambler’s ruin. Gambler’s Ruin closes in on how a gambler with the smaller amount will always be the loser in the long run in a game of 50-50 chance with an indefinite number of rounds playing. Gambler’s Ruin also debunks the ‘luck’ factor by emphasizing that each round played has its separate probability from previous rounds, thus maintaining chances of winning at 50%. Seg 4 The Infinite Hotel Paradox. The Infinite Hotel Paradox shows how infinity, for all its vastness, cannot be fully grasped, especially when it goes beyond the confines of the countable infinity. The paradoxical part comes in when the union of two sets with infinite elements will still be infinity; adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing infinity with infinity is still infinity. Seg 5 The Locker Riddle. The Locker Riddle stimulates how good and fast a person is at factorization. In the problem, the key is identifying which numbers from 1-100 are perfect squares, but the solution lies in the number of factors those particular numbers have. Perfect squares have odd numbered factors because one factor will be multiplied by itself and it only counts as one in the riddle’s context, leaving those locker numbers open in an alternating open-close pattern.
RACE OF LIFE
EP. 04. Synopsis: These are Nature’s own Battletanks, and (with the exception of the Indian Elephant), all endemic to the African continent. The African Savannah is the stage for thousands of battles every day. How do elephants, these large, cumbersome creatures survive and even prosper on a diet that even the strictest vegetarian would pass on! Well for one thing, most other animals get out of their way. But lions and hyenas are not always so easily moved – they prey on young, sick and old elephants in particular. This seemingly gentle giant has been revealed to have a darker side in the last few years too. They may survive on just plant life, but that doesn’t mean they don’t like a fight – to the death. Elephants have been observed attacking and killing Rhinos in the last 20 years. It’s a savage clash. Meanwhile, the Rhino, a tough looking customer if ever there was one, is an endangered species. When the great herds go on the search for food, predators go on the hunt for them. If ever there was an animal that seems destined to survive, it’s the Rhino, which has been around for over 6 million years. But it too has an enemy: mankind – the deadliest foe of all. Then there's the hippopotamus. An adult hippo is a huge, aggressive animal, and even the largest crocodiles tend to stay away from it. However, when baby hippos stray from their mothers, then crocodiles, lions and hyenas will have a go if they can get away without being attacked themselves by adults in the baby hippo’s herd. That’s why baby hippos must stay close to Mum
RACE OF LIFE
EP. 05. Males and females of most species will fight viciously in self-defense. And females, can be even more aggressive than males when defending their young. In this episode we'll explore the Race of Life from the point of view of food, territory, social status, and mates. Though some fights occur between two different species, most battles are fought between members of the same species. Though the wildlife warriors in these battles usually are not trying to kill each other, the fighting can result in death. Why would members of the same species fight with such ferocity? Food is one reason. Animals that store and horde food for survival will aggressively protect their pantries. Animals are also willing to fight to protect their food indirectly. For example, predators will defend a territory that provides them with enough prey, or food, to survive. This territorial aggression serves to space out members of a species across their range in a way that maintains sufficient food within each territory. But it also may limit population size. For example, if a pack of wolves cannot find, defend, or take over a suitable territory, the members may starve to death. Though food, territory, social status, and mates may be won and kept by fighting, aggression takes its toll. Animal combatants face exhaustion, injuries, time away from resting and eating, and the ultimate cost of battle: death. Thus, just like human beings, it’s often in an animal’s interest to win a war before it ever begins - or to avoid confrontation altogether.
THE FLYING FIREFIGHTERS OF VALENCIA
In recent years, the number of forest fires has consistently increased, especially in Catalonia. The loss of forest land is endangering the cultural and natural habitat of the Northwestern Mediterranean. This report accompanies Chimo and his colleagues through last years' fire season. The "Avialsa" Flying Firefighters squadron operates in the woodland areas around the western part of the Mediterranean Sea. Flying close above the flames ensures the greatest chance of success for the firefighters: the closer they can get their water cargo to the fire source, the quicker they can get the flames under control. Joaquim Miniana, "Chimo" for short, and the pilots of the "Avialsa" firefighting plane squadron in the Spanish province of Valencia are fighting against increasingly long, hot summers.
CORAL SEA DREAMING
Coral Sea Dreaming enters into the very heart of life – and death – on a coral reef. It is a story that spans 500 million years and stars some of the most exotic and wonderous marine creatures on earth. Coral is the planet’s greatest natu- ral architect, and coral reefs boast the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem.
GEORGIA, CRADLE OF WINE
360° GEO - Report portrays a changing wine region that is torn between the ancient traditions of its soviet heritage and modern market requirements.In the Soviet era, Georgia was said to be the wine cellar of the USSR.Even after the collapse of the huge empire, wine remained one of the country's most important export goods. But since Russia has imposed an embargo, exports have declined dramatically.Georgia is now in search of new sales markets at a time when winegrowing in its Caucasus region is in full swing. Small winegrowers, cooperatives and winegrowing estates based on the Western model vie with each other for quantity and quality.
NATURE'S FORCE
EP. 03. A snapshot of Seasons, how they work together and keep the globe in balance. Droughts are explored in terms of how we can predict them, proof our lives from them and collect data because of them. Hurricanes are explained, their power revealed and the measures that are used to help us survive their impact. Thunderstorms have a few stages of development that roll out in a particular order.
NATURE'S FORCE
EP. 04. How are Rainbows formed and what’s their science? We look at the largest Hail ever recorded and explain why it comes in so many shapes and sizes. Global Warming is a big issue and topic, and we give a nutshell insight to its meaning and impact on many levels. Forecasting is key and crucial to living with nature and its weather, as it involves precision technologies and expertise. Typhoon Halyan is an example of one of the most devastating storms in recent history and its story illustrates the power and destruction that Typhoons can cause.
EUROPEAN IDENTITIES
What is European Identity? Is it cultural or political? Thibault Bourdon travels 8500 Km on his bicycle crossing multitude of dialects & landscapes, majestic mountains, stunning cliffs across the continent exploring this political & economic cohesion of 750 million people. In the end, the project of the European Union is a beautiful idea but, for Europeans.
THE HAWKDOCTOR OF ABU DHABI
360° GEO - Report visits takes a trip to the vet and accompanies the doctor on her daily mission dedicated to the feathered treasures of the sheiks. Falcons are an inherent part of Arab culture in the United Arab Emirates. For centuries, the country has traditionally hunted with the impressive raptors. Almost every family owns at least one falcon. The German lady veterinary Margit Müller takes care of these precious birds of prey's health. She is the manageress of the "Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital" - the biggest Falcon Hospital in the world.
TRAVEL THRU HISTORY
LOS ANGELES. Go for launch! We visit Space Shuttle Endeavor at the California Science Center. Then, we check out the glitch and glamour at the Hollywood Museum. We'll learn about the Holocaust at the Holocaust Museum and Japanese Internment during WWII at the Japanese/American National Museum. After that, we dig for bones at the famous La Brea Tar Pits.
TRAVEL THRU HISTORY
ST. PETERSBURG. Up, up and away! We discover St. Petersburg Florida's aviation roots at the St.Pete History Museum. Then, comb your mustache, we visit the Dali Museum to look at Salvador Dali's amazing masterworks. We'll dredge the deep looking for sponges, and defend the bay at Fort Desoto.
SARAH SHARK
EP. 01. Sarah travels to one of the top 10 dive destinations in Australia (Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, NSW) to dive with three species of Wobbegong Sharks within the Cape Byron Marine Park. She also conducts a street poll with members of the public to find out what they think about sharks.
SARAH SHARK
EP. 02. Sarah travels to one of the top 10 dive destinations in Australia (Julian Rocks, Byron Bay, NSW) to dive with three species of Wobbegong Sharks within the Cape Byron Marine Park. She also conducts a street poll with members of the public to find out what they think about sharks.
THE TREE-CLIMBERS FROM CALIFORNIA
Rick Dirks is one of the best tree climbers in California. He is able to climb 100-meter tall (328-foot) redwood trees with skill and courage and do so at breathtaking speed. He even ties himself to the crown of these giant trees in a sleeping bag for the night. In addition to trimming the trees and installing measuring tools, Rick collects the tree’s cones and seeds at dizzying heights – because the redwoods can only continue to survive if they are cultivated. In California, these giant trees are still cut down for timber.