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PARIS Berlin: Shapes AND Shades OF History - FACE TO FACE
Paris and Berlin have developed and grown facing each other over four centuries of tumultuous historical relationships and mutual admiration. The architecture and urbanism bear witness of this complex and rich confrontation.
WWII Documentary FILMS - OMAHA Beach: HONOR AND Sacrifice
Award-winning documentary films produced to enlighten future generations about the personal stories of the WWII generations.
WWII Documentary FILMS - Eagles OF Mercy: THE Compelling STORY OF TWO Airborne Medics & THEIR Heroic ACTS During D-DAY
Award-winning documentary films produced to enlighten future generations about the personal stories of the WWII generations.
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.
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 01
Presented by Peadar King, this series illustrates the human consequences of global economic inequalities and human rights violations, by focusing on how people encounter these issues on a daily basis. At the heart of Africa, the Congo for many people will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel the Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. And for Benjamin and David, two former child soldiers, and Funaha held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorise the country, that metaphor remains a daily reality. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu.
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 02
For over 24 years, East Timor (now known as Timor Leste) endured a crushing occupation inflicted on them by neighbouring Indonesia on the pretext of the fight against communism. The war was brought to a controversial conclusion in 1999. However, trauma from that period lives on as evidenced by the testimonies of Nelson Belo, Gregorio Saldanha and Pascal Oliveira, survivors of the infamous 1991 Santa Cruz Massacre. This film recalls the trauma of Timor Leste in this the tenth anniversary of its independence.
Saving Auschwitz?
70 years after Auschwitz Museum was founded as the memorial site of the Shoah, this site is subject to diversions, confrontations and plundering. Several attempts to exploit and rewrite its history are at work. The danger of desensitization through mass tourism, or the attempts of the local town and its citizens to simply erase the nightmare to make place for new urban landscape are real threats affecting the future of this memorial site. Today, as the last survivors are passing on, what to do with the Auschwitz site?
Secrets OF THE Thracian KING
In August 2004 in Bulgaria, archaeologist Georgi Kitov made a spectacular discovery in the valley of the Thracian Kings, a valley where about twenty temples and royal tombs are located. Kitov accessed a still-intact ancient tomb, which housed incredible wealth, dating back to the 4th century B.C., when Thracian culture was at its height.In front of the gigantic mausoleum, archaeologists found a magnificent, life-sized bronze head, one of the period's finest specimens ever found, and possessing an unsettlingly modern style.Who was this king and what does his tomb tell us about Thracian culture? Was he buried according to the Thracian custom of Orphic rites, and what do we know today about these secret rites that promised eternal life?Research into the deceased's identity revealed the tomb belonged to King Seuthes III. With the help of archaeologists and historians, who decipher the king's vestiges, the film pieces together the puzzle of Seuthes III's life. He was a modern king, who was open to Hellenisation, a warrior king, who was opposed to Macedonian authority, and a priest king, who was committed to preserving Thracian cultural rites.
Cathedral Builders
The epic history, in 3D, of Strasbourg Cathedral and its outstanding builders. A fascinating docudrama, from start to finish. Strasbourg Cathedral, a gothic jewel and the highest monument in the West until the 19th century, was both an excessive dream and an architectural feat. How, in the Middle Ages, was such a wonder made possible? Behind its elegant, pink sandstone façade and its famous rose window, which is set ablaze at sunset, three centuries of visionary and inspired master-builders followed on from one another – Erwin de Steinbach, Ulrich d’Ensingen and Jean Hültz – as did craftsmen with a savoir-faire that was envied all over Europe. They return here in fiction form. An epic blending mystery, doubt, revelations, intrigue and tragedies. Best 3 D Documentary Film Award - Festival Dimension 3 (Saint-Denis - France).
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 10
Presented by Peadar King, this series illustrates the human consequences of global economic inequalities and human rights violations, by focusing on how people encounter these issues on a daily basis. At the heart of Africa, the Congo for many people will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel the Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. And for Benjamin and David, two former child soldiers, and Funaha held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorise the country, that metaphor remains a daily reality. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu.
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 16
Presented by Peadar King, this series illustrates the human consequences of global economic inequalities and human rights violations, by focusing on how people encounter these issues on a daily basis. At the heart of Africa, the Congo for many people will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel the Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. And for Benjamin and David, two former child soldiers, and Funaha held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorise the country, that metaphor remains a daily reality. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu.
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 15
Presented by Peadar King, this series illustrates the human consequences of global economic inequalities and human rights violations, by focusing on how people encounter these issues on a daily basis. At the heart of Africa, the Congo for many people will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel the Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. And for Benjamin and David, two former child soldiers, and Funaha held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorise the country, that metaphor remains a daily reality. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu.
Travel THRU History - Belfast
We’re shipping off to Belfast, Northern Ireland on today’s episode. First, we’ll gawk at the world’s biggest Titanic museum. Then, we’ll learn about the province’s complicated history at the Ulster Museum. Finally, we get thrown in the slammer at the very creepy, Crumlin Road Jail.
Travel THRU History - Minneapolis
We’ll find out why they called Minneapolis the “Mill City” when we visit the Mill City Museum. Then we march over to the Union’s Fort Snelling, the first permanent structure in Minnesota, and then head underground and learn about St. Paul’s organized crime hide outs.
SHOW ME WHERE YOU LIVE - RIO DE Janeiro, Another FACE OH THE Favelas
Show me where you live is a documentary series that aims to answer the following question: How can human beings claim ownership to a space so that they can live safely within it, function as a society, and above all be in harmony with the environment around them?As we discover cultures and emblematic populations, we follow Philippe Simay who is at the heart of Inhabiting the World and represents its identity and originality. Philippe takes us on an epic adventure around the Human Habitat and sets the tone for the journey. As a humanist and philosopher, Philippe is a tireless surveyor of the city, and an explorer of living spaces. Determined to travel around the world, Philippe unveils how the populations that he encounters claim the space they occupy, shapes it and adjust to it.In this series of 20 films, of 26 minutes each, the habitat will be a major showcase revealing our capacity to adapt ourselves at a time where we need to find solutions in order to address immense changes.
Mindworks - Memory
Understanding how we think and see by playing games with our brains. This factual entertainment series explores the way we see and interpret the world around us with engaging tests, activities, demonstrations and explanations. In each episode we experience visual and audio illusions, sensory puzzles and brain tricks from the worlds of art, science, nature and psychology and learn why they baffle our senses.
NEW Frontier - Emissaries
Our solar system is vast, from our own star the Sun to Earth is nearly 150 million kilometers or 1 Astronomical Unit. Jupiter is 5.2 AU distant and Pluto up to 48AU, the solar system extends far beyond this intointerstellar space. We humans cannot yet travel that sort of distance, however w e can and do send our robots and probes in our place; and the results are astounding.
THE PAST Hunters - THE Haunted Parade
Derek Acorah’s The Past Hunters travel to Hoylake and investigate a building known as The Parade. Dating back to 1909, this once former school, still seems to have ghostly pupils and teachers taking class.
THE PAST Hunters - Knutsford CROWN COURT - PART 1
Derek Acorah’s The Past Hunters travel to Knutsford and investigate a former Crown Court. Multiple people have been sentenced to death and life in prison, but will the team encounter any of its former inmates tonight?
Travel THRU History - Boise, IDAHO
We’ve got our own private Idaho in Boise. We’ll tour one of the most stunning buildings in the frontier west at the Idaho State Capitol, dance all night with the Basques at the Basque museum and cultural center, soar to new heights at the Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa, and get a shiver down our spines at the Idaho state penitentiary.
Journeys IN INDIA - TAMIL NADU: Chennai, Pondicherry AND MORE
Chennai, formerly known as Madras, can trace its roots back to a tiny fishing village. Bill explores the city’s growth under the British East India Company, with visits to Fort St. George and the Fort Museum. We then travel to the nearby Sao Tome Basilica, the church and burial site of St. Thomas the Apostle. In Pondicherry, French influences can still be felt in the tree-lined streets, colonial mansions and cafés. Its beautiful setting on the Bay of Bengal makes Pondicherry a delightful place to spend the day. We also visit the ancient port city of Mahabalipuram, where the landscape is dominated by carved-stone architecture. The final highlight of our tour is the Descent of Ganga, which is the world’s largest bas-relief carving.
Journeys IN INDIA - Jaisalmer: India’s Hidden GEM
Every major country has a destination that is incredible but not well known to outsiders—Jaisalmer is such a place. Once a major stop along the silk road, this living museum and surrounding countryside has something for everyone: tragic history, unbelievable architecture, unique cultural groups and resilient wildlife.
Journeys IN Africa - Amboseli NATL PARK: LAND OF Extremes
Amboseli National Park has had several years of drought so we’re anxious to see if the famous elephant herds are healthy. Journeys takes to the air and ground to get a count of these incredible animals. Along the way, we visit the local Masai to see how they’re adjusting to encroaching civilization and we encounter buffalo, hippos and numerous bird species that make Amboseli so special.
Journeys IN Africa - Nakuru NATL PARK: Wonderland OF Africa
This under-visited, and far western Kenyan park area, is renowned for its giant flamingo gatherings that literally turn lakes pink. We explore these many parks on foot, in a safari vehicle and on horseback searching out the local legends that have marked this region the death zone. Our host faces imminent doom in three unique parks in this fast-paced episode.
THE Islanders - Palawan, Philippines
Discovering some the world’s hidden treasures by revealing the hidden face of life and the inhabitants of the islands. Island folk are generally proud of their insularity and their distinct sense of identity. A rich cocktail of history, customs, cuisine and economic resources distinguishes the island people and the nature and beaches that surround them. Our documentaries explore the varied and often little known lifestyles and peculiarities on the twenty featured islands. The approach so effectively used during our series on beaches and coastal areas, is here recreated, each program a mix of stunning visuals and interviews, which together highlight the exotic and uncommon events of daily life with a backdrop of spectacular island scenery. The aim of this unique series is as always to surprise, amuse and inform the viewer.
RACE OF LIFE - EP. 06
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.
OUTTA TOWN Adventures - S2 EP 2
Outta Town Adventures travels both near and far to discover the best advenures the destinations have to offer. This TV series is dedicated to presenting history, culture and geography in a fun and pisitive way. It encourages people to explore this beautiful world - something that starts with simply getting out of town!
OUTTA TOWN Adventures - S2 EP 4
Outta Town Adventures travels both near and far to discover the best advenures the destinations have to offer. This TV series is dedicated to presenting history, culture and geography in a fun and pisitive way. It encourages people to explore this beautiful world - something that starts with simply getting out of town!
BIG COAST - PERCY Walkus Hatchery
Annual brood stock fishery from Percy Walkus Hatchery in Wuikinuxv, Rivers Inlet...conserving the largest Chinook on Earth!
BIG COAST - Duncanby LODGE Season Kickoff
For 15 years the Big Coast Crew has remained completely committed to expedition boating, showcasing West Coast adventure and telling the tales of this final frontier. From iconic Chinook salmon to Grizzlies, Spirit Bear and Orcas, incredible wildlife roams this land and keeps watch over one of the last great coastal ecosystems on Earth. Each season, Big Coast runs the BC Inside Passage from Alaska and Prince Rupert Southbound through Great Bear Rainforest and Vancouver Island. It’s an epic journey of 1,500 kilometres through pristine coastal waterways and wilderness. And each season, with marine weather, wildlife and fish migrations, is a little bit different. In the spirit of coastal conservation, Big Coast practices catch-and-release Tyee Chinook Salmon (over 30lbs) angling and only taking what you need. Going strong for 15 years, Big Coast features 13 new half hour episodes every year! A 300-mile boat trip from Vancouver to Duncanby Lodge in Rivers Inlet for Percy Walkus Hatchery Chinook Fundraiser!
Travel QUEST - EP 7
Bill Ball breaks the rules and stereo types of travel shows as he ventures beyond the highlights. What do you do after you’ve lead groups to over 140 countries and all 7 continents? Welcome to Bill’s bucket list on steroids... Travel Quest. This new, fast-paced series chases Bill around the globe as he seeks out anything but the mundane and ordinary—coming face-to-face with the largest crocodiles in the world, snorkeling with thousands of jellyfish, walking on the rim of an exploding volcano, feeding a group of sharks without a cage, bicycling across the Serengeti... this is not your typical travel show!
Travel QUEST EP. 08: NORTH POLE
Bill Ball breaks the rules and stereo types of travel shows as he ventures beyond the highlights. What do you do after you’ve lead groups to over 140 countries and all 7 continents? Welcome to Bill’s bucket list on steroids... Travel Quest. This new, fast-paced series chases Bill around the globe as he seeks out anything but the mundane and ordinary—coming face-to-face with the largest crocodiles in the world, snorkeling with thousands of jellyfish, walking on the rim of an exploding volcano, feeding a group of sharks without a cage, bicycling across the Serengeti... this is not your typical travel show!
SHOW ME WHERE YOU LIVE - Tokyothe Megalopolis OF MicrO-Houses
Show me where you live is a documentary series that aims to answer the following question: How can human beings claim ownership to a space so that they can live safely within it, function as a society, and above all be in harmony with the environment around them? As we discover cultures and emblematic populations, we follow Philippe Simay who is at the heart of Inhabiting the World and represents its identity and originality. Philippe takes us on an epic adventure around the Human Habitat and sets the tone for the journey. As a humanist and philosopher, Philippe is a tireless surveyor of the city, and an explorer of living spaces. Determined to travel around the world, Philippe unveils how the populations that he encounters claim the space they occupy, shapes it and adjust to it. In this series of 20 films, of 26 minutes each, the habitat will be a major showcase revealing our capacity to adapt ourselves at a time where we need to find solutions in order to address immense changes.
SHOW ME WHERE YOU LIVE - Indiaarunachal Pradesh: Living IN A Bamboo HOUSE
Show me where you live is a documentary series that aims to answer the following question: How can human beings claim ownership to a space so that they can live safely within it, function as a society, and above all be in harmony with the environment around them?As we discover cultures and emblematic populations, we follow Philippe Simay who is at the heart of Inhabiting the World and represents its identity and originality. Philippe takes us on an epic adventure around the Human Habitat and sets the tone for the journey. As a humanist and philosopher, Philippe is a tireless surveyor of the city, and an explorer of living spaces. Determined to travel around the world, Philippe unveils how the populations that he encounters claim the space they occupy, shapes it and adjust to it.In this series of 20 films, of 26 minutes each, the habitat will be a major showcase revealing our capacity to adapt ourselves at a time where we need to find solutions in order to address immense changes.
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.
Wonder - Phenomenal
Seg 1 Iridescence. Iridescence is the phenomenon where surfaces reflect a multitude of colors at once and could change color perspectives upon shifting the angle of viewing. Iridescence is caused by interference, where light gets reflected or cancelled out by the structures of the surfaces. Seg 2 Chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescence is the phenomenon of producing light energy through chemical reactions. The byproduct of a chemiluminescent reaction, instead of heat energy, is a photon or a light particle. Only selected compounds are capable of producing chemiluminescence, usually highly oxidized compounds when reacting with another compound. Seg 3 Bioluminescence. Bioluminescence is a form of chemiluminescence, only that this occurs in living things. Special compounds collectively called as luciferin oxidizes upon catalysis by enzymes called luciferase, producing oxyluciferin. Upon decay, oxyluciferin releases photons or light particles. Bioluminescence serve different functions for each organism, but all for survival purposes. Seg 4 Gemstone Coloration. A gemstone acquires its color through elements that are essential to its structure or through impurities, or elements that replace some of the metallic ions in the structure that will affect which colors in the visible spectrum gets absorbed or reflected. Seg 5 Mechanical Plant Defenses. Mechanical plant defenses demonstrate how survival instincts are incorporated into plant morphologies and physiologies by growing or producing various defensive features such as thorns, spines, and prickles to the less obvious ones like trichomes and raphides and less aggressive forms of defense like thigmonasty.
Wonder - Sensory Tricks
Seg 1 Visually-Evoked Auditory Response. VEAR or Visually Evoked Auditory response is the type of auditory perception where our brains perceive to hear sounds in response to seeing something. In the case of the jumping pylon illusion, a thud sound is perceived even though there is no sound accompanying the animation. Seg 2 Retinal Fatigue. Retinal fatigue is the term used to describe the condition when the photoreceptors in our eyes become tired or strained due to staring at one color for extend periods of time. The effect causes an afterimage of the complementary color to appear out of nowhere and will be temporarily visible for a few seconds. Seg 3 Müller-Lyer illusion. The Müller-Lyer illusion is an optical illusion where parallel lines of the same length appear longer when perceived with different pointed arrowheads drawn at the ends. Possible explanations suggest that our minds tend to look at overall length rather than just the line’s parts or segments when processing the image. Another possible explanation is that our minds tendency to look at angled lines and perceive patterns of depth. Seg 4 Ames Room. The Ames room is a specially constructed room that features a distorted and skewed floor plan. when viewed from one angle, our brain is tricked into thinking that the perspective of the rooms is normal but when a person walks from one end to another the distorted floor angle makes it look as if the person changes size drastically. Seg 5 Synesthesia. Synesthesia is a genetic condition that is present in at least 4% of the human population. People with synesthesia have hyper connected neurons that allow them to perceive a stimuli as interconnected with different senses. An example of which is the ability to see color while hearing sounds.
Hidden Traces
Napoleon Bonaparte - Military genius and builder, he will then reign, without any intention to share his position, for over a decade and will engage, with his troupes, in many battles. His imperial army, which has reached 700 000 men, is considered in 1815, the greatest one in the world.
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.
SEED Hunter
Our planet is heating up and one of the first casualties will be the crops that supply our food. Scientists are working overtime to find solutions including going back to the ancestral origins of our staple foods. SEED HUNTER will take you on a remarkable journey from the drought ravaged farms of Australia, to the heart of the Middle East, to the mountains of Tajikistan where charismatic Australian scientist Dr Ken Street – a real life version of Indiana Jones – and his team of ‘gene detectives’ hunt for plant genes that will help our food withstand the impact of 21st century global warming. Along the way we meet farmers around the world who are struggling to grow crops in a climate that’s gone haywire, as well as scientists working at the front line of gene technology to save tomorrow’s food. At journey’s end, deep in the Arctic Circle, Ken deposits his bounty of seed in the newly constructed seed bank known as the ‘doomsday vault.’
Trouble IN LEMUR LAND
High up in the mountains of north-eastern Madagascar lives one of the world’s most critically endangered primates. There are less than a thousand Silky Sifakas alive today and this area of remote rainforest, known as Marojejy–Anjanaharibe-Sud, is their only home.In the past, the rugged terrain here kept the Silkies relatively safe but things are now changing at an alarming pace. This magical place is under serious threat from illegal logging operations as international demand for highly sought-after rosewood and ebony increases. Unscrupulous logging gangs are encroaching on the Silkies’ last remaining habitat.‘Trouble in Lemur Land’ follows two men, an American primatologist and a Malagasy conservationist, on their quest to protect this rare species, at the same time providing a rare glimpse into the life of this extraordinarily beautiful and graceful animal.The film centres around the arrival of two babies in the group – a glimmer of hope in an otherwise desperate situation. Lemur reproduction rates are slow and Silkies only mate one day in the year, so it is a very special moment when primatologist Erik Patel sees the newborns for the first time. He has a permanent camp on the outskirts of their last remaining territory and we are given a rare glimpse into this intimate, close-knit group as the babies develop in the sanctuary of the forest canopy.Meanwhile, taking advantage of long-term political instability, the loggers are steadily extracting Madagascar’s rosewood for export to China. Although they are well armed and highly motivated, conservationist Desire Rabary is not afraid to confront them, regardless of the risks. He heads up a network of local people who play a vital role in the survival of the forest and its lemurs. Over the past five years, he has worked hard to actively expose the loggers’ illegal trail of destruction but, as this film reveals, the heart of the problem starts on his own doorstep.This 50-minute HD film brings the forest to life, with stunning images of many of its other species, including the striking helmet vanga bird, white-fronted brown lemur, red-bellied lemur, green tree frogs, panther chameleons and the elusive fossa. This treasure trove of endemic Madagascan wildlife is a timely reminder of what we stand to lose if the environmental issues so critical to their survival are not urgently addressed.
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.
SARAH SHARK - EP. 03
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. 04
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.
RACE OF LIFE - EP. 01
We live in a world full of the most magnificent of animals. There are approximately eight point seven (8.7) million different species on earth. With this vast array of natural wonders how do we choose a favorite amongst all these spectacular creatures? The ethereal grace of the oceans whales, the might of the imposing hippo, the unequalled speed of the cheetah, the mesmerizing lure of the snake, the power of the elephant, the strength of the ant, the stealth of the scorpion, the extraordinary talents of the octopus, the force of the crocodile, the sheer grace of the wedge tailed eagle, or the regular commanding presence of the lion...
RACE OF LIFE - EP. 03
Sleek,dangerous, fast, and vicious. Revered for their beauty and vitality. No-one runs the Race of Life faster than the Cheetah, and yet it is on the endangered species list. The Leopard is perhaps the best equipped survivor for the long run, with its population spread far beyond Sub-Saharan Africa. This success is probably to do with the fact they are ‘opportunistic hunters’. And what of the Lion? Known as the King of the Jungle, (even though they don’t live there), lions hunt buffalos, giraffes, warthogs, wildebeests and zebras, and antelopes when the opportunity presents itself. Lions are high up on the food chain, the very centre of their food web, so have almost no predators. Another loner in the race of life, the snow leopard prefers to inhabit steep cliff areas, rocky outcrops and ravines. To survive, the snow leopard must be a clever and resourceful hunter. Next, we leave the Snow Leopard and the great Asian mountains behind, and travel to the Americas, where the Cougar roam. Also known as mountain lions or pumas, cougars are agile and sleek, known for their habit of appearing from seemingly nowhere, and pouncing on their prey. The Tiger - solitary and beautiful, many cultures consider the tiger to also be a symbol of strength and courage. But every Big Cat born in the wild who survives to maturity can be said a winner in the Race of Life.
RACE OF LIFE - EP. 04
Deserts are dry. Deserts are extreme. True deserts get less than 18 cm of rain per year. True deserts have very few plants. Semi-desert habitats have enough rainfall to support more plant and animal life. Either way, deserts are not easy places for animals to live. Desert animals have evolved to handle the desert's heat and lack of water. They have adapted their bodies and behaviors to the desert climate. Most can survive on small amounts of water and many get all of their water from their food. Some drink maybe once a week and travel considerable distances to find isolated waterholes and springs. Large animals seek shade during the hottest part of the day. Some animals dig a hollow depression into the ground and lie in the cooler soil while others are nocturnal. Many reptiles and other animals protect themselves from the extreme temperature by spending their time in burrows. The scorpion is one of the most ancient creatures on earth, in existence since life first crawled out of the sea. One look and you can see why they’re born survivors. Not only are their bodies armoured against the desert heat – and other predators – but all scorpions have pincers at the front and a poisonous sting at the end of their tail. Rattlesnakes can be two meters long. They’re fast, tough and with a deadly venom, making them one of the most dangerous snakes in the world. But nobody seems to have told the Roadrunner, who regard rattlesnakes as quite suitable prey.
RACE OF LIFE - EP. 05
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
GREAT WHITE CODE RED
The Great White shark is a highly complex predator with advanced sensory weaponry. Two shark specialists, Dr Craig O’Connell and Dr Geremy Cliff look beneath the skin of the Great White to reveal the true source of its extraordinary predatory abilities and discover the secrets of one the world’s most feared predators.
Tigerfish: Africa's Piranha
Legends say they are man-eaters, that even crocodiles fear them. Some say they’re the ghosts of the river, ‘demon fish’ that bring bad luck. Few people have ever been lucky enough to see one in the flesh and for angling legend Andy Coetzee, coming face to face with a Goliath Tigerfish is a lifelong dream. He will do almost anything to feed his obsession and unravel the mystery behind Africa’s Piranha! Andy has travelled the world in search of the most elusive fish on the planet. He’s obstinate, passionate and determined and when it comes to fishing, he’s been there and done it all. But one big fish still eludes him – the Goliath Tigerfish! Catching one of these legendary monsters will be the apex of his fishing career. But it’s easier said than done. The Tigerfish is rated by sport anglers as the hardest fish in the world to catch. Andy will need his lifetime of experience to succeed on this mission. And he’s ready to risk his life to fulfil his dream. His journey starts in the Okavango Delta where he’ll brave crocodile infested waters to study Tigerfish underwater. Only a handful of people have ever dived these channels but it’s one of a few Tigerfish hotspots on the planet where he can track them down in clear waters. Tigerfish have carved out their niche in some of the most inaccessible habitats on the planet and as a result very little is known about these cousins of the Piranha. Many would say that finding this elusive fish in the deepest river on the planet is almost a mission impossible, but Andy will stop at nothing to reach his goal. Traveling into the depths of the Congo is like venturing into a lost world. It’s no coincidence that it’s referred to as the ‘Heart of Darkness’ – this is the land of plagues and river pirates and Andy will have to brave them all to meet his nemesis. Even if he hooks one, there’s no guarantee he’ll be able to land it. Goliath’s are almost impossible to catch – their bony jaws and inch long teeth are impervious to most fishing tackleAndy’s epic quest plunges him into the depths of the Tigerfishes secret realm. His expertise as an angler is taunted and challenged at every cast, but every fresh failure adds to his awe and respect of these legendary monster fish.
Underwater Okavango
The Okavango Delta is one of the richest ecosystems on earth, but most of its creatures are rarely seen by human eyes. They hide beneath the surface, in the intricate underwater world of the Delta. Fearsome hippos and man-eating crocodiles guard these waters, and diving here is considered extremely dangerous. Few humans have ever ventured below the surface, until now. A team of film makers armed with experience and a deep knowledge of animal behaviour have dived the delta for the past year. Their experiences reveal a new, unexplored wilderness that is shaped by passage of the delta’s epic winter flood. Every summer, rains that collect in Angola surge down the Okavango River in a giant pulse. Just as the dry season draws near, that pulse reaches the delta, and sets a chain reaction of life in motion. Landscapes flood as the pulse pushes through, and drain in its wake. These forces shape the lives of every creature in the underwater Okavango. The first to feel the effects of the flood are the cave dwellers. The rising tide lifts vast floating carpets of reeds and papyrus off the sand, creating a labyrinth of caves beneath them. Mormyrids and squeakers hunt in the dark, but the live in fear of a far larger predator. Sharp toothed catfish are amongst the Delta’s most voracious hunters. They plague the smaller fish, but they in turn are hunted by giant crocodiles. As the pulse pushes into the main delta, tiny fish are sucked into the deep channels behind it. The waters fill with predators that gather to feast on the soup of small fry. The flood keeps pushing further and further out into Botswana, until in the peak of the dry season, it breaks out over dry land. Creatures travel from across Botswana to meet the life-giving tide. Huge elephant breeding herds flee the drought-stricken Kalahari, and walk hundreds of kilometres to reach the flooded delta. Though the water offers life, it harbours death as well. Their tiny infants must navigate crocodile infested floodplains, and face off with lions in the dense reeds. Nowhere is safe, until the flood finally reaches the end of its journey. Just as the rains threaten to bring the dry season to a close, the closing act of the underwater delta launches into action. Birds flock to the disappearing shallows to feast on trapped fish, and the fearsome catfish amass into an army. They charge down the channels by the hundred, and flush fish from the reeds. The stampede of hunters makes the water boil, and entices a new killer to the feast. Fish eagles swoop down one after the other, and snatch catfish from the churning waters. The frenzy of predators builds to a crescendo, until rains finally douse the feast. The wet season marks the end of the flood, but it feeds the beginnings of another. As rainwaters gather once more in the Angolan highlands, the journey of a new pulse begins. This film opens a window on an unexplored landscape of exquisite beauty, and the creatures that must play the daily lottery of life and death within it.
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 15
Presented by Peadar King, this series illustrates the human consequences of global economic inequalities and human rights violations, by focusing on how people encounter these issues on a daily basis. At the heart of Africa, the Congo for many people will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel the Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. And for Benjamin and David, two former child soldiers, and Funaha held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorise the country, that metaphor remains a daily reality. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu.
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 17
Presented by Peadar King, this series illustrates the human consequences of global economic inequalities and human rights violations, by focusing on how people encounter these issues on a daily basis. At the heart of Africa, the Congo for many people will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel the Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. And for Benjamin and David, two former child soldiers, and Funaha held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorise the country, that metaphor remains a daily reality. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu.
WHAT IN THE WORLD - EP 16
Presented by Peadar King, this series illustrates the human consequences of global economic inequalities and human rights violations, by focusing on how people encounter these issues on a daily basis. At the heart of Africa, the Congo for many people will always be associated with Joseph Conrad’s early twentieth-century novel the Heart of Darkness, a title that has become a by-word for the country. And for Benjamin and David, two former child soldiers, and Funaha held as a sex slave by one of the many militias that continue to terrorise the country, that metaphor remains a daily reality. The film explores how this seemingly never-ending conflict impacts on the people of North Kivu.
