Whether chickens, sheep or spectacled bears – the 1950s ushered in a unique era for animals in East Germany. The young republic sought not only to shape the ideal socialist citizen but also to integrate animals into its broader vision. As industrial farming became the norm, traditional pets, such as dogs and cats, were dismissed as ‘useless’.
The terrorist attack on Israel on 7 October 2023 has changed the world. What are Hamas’ ultimate objectives? Terrorism researchers, ethnologists and witnesses examine the evolution of the “Hamas system”, from its foundation in 1987 to the present day, shedding light on the organisation’s ideological roots and totalitarian ambitions.
Thomas Riedelsheimer’s Tracing Light explores that most fascinating and significant of natural phenomena – light. Light, seen only in interaction with matter, is the subject of collaboration among artists, physicists and nature itself, to develop artworks – and explore the secrets of the universe and the ineffable nature of light itself.
Origin follows the rehearsals of a puppet play presented by amateur puppeteers. The film showcases the age-old tradition of puppet-making while addressing the pressing issues of our time – climate change, flight, water shortages – and highlights the personal challenges faced by the puppeteers.
The names of the Stasi’s “informal collaborators” remain protected by laws that prevent their publication. However, in 1992, under extraordinary circumstances, a list of 4,500 names was leaked – anonymously, illegally and with far-reaching consequences. Now, 35 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the creators of the list have come forward to share their story for the first time in this gripping political thriller.
Every autumn, fishermen and women venture into the icy waters off Belgium’s North Sea coast on strong draft horses to fish for shrimp. This cultural practice, over 500 years old, was designated a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2013. We follow a group of shrimpers as they go about their daily routines.
From Waldorf education and biodynamic agriculture, innovative medical practices and skincare products, to new architectural concepts and belief systems – Rudolf Steiner’s influence is still felt around the world today. 100 years after this death, this film is a compelling and fresh portrayal of the turbulent life of the anthroposophy founder.
May 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the German Wehrmacht’s unconditional surrender. Eight individuals who lived through this period share excerpts from their diaries. They come from diverse social, religious and political backgrounds and offer first-hand insights into their lives between 1933 and 1945.
Since the summer of 2020, boats sailing along the Atlantic coast from the Strait of Gibraltar to the Bay of Biscay in the north have been repeatedly attacked by orcas. The whales specfically target and destroy the boats’ rudders. Researchers want to understand what drives the orcas. Curiosity? Competition for food? Or is it all a game?
Nothing captivates the diversity of a city’s people and culture as vividly as its underground railway. In Berlin, Prague, Naples, Paris and Vienna, we meet ordinary passengers as well as artists, historians and underground staff. They show us the familiar and beloved, but also the lesser-known and less popular sides of their underground systems.
Detroit in the US Rust Belt and Bochum in Germany’s industrial Ruhr region – as different as these two cities may be, both have been significantly shaped by the automotive industry. Following the end of the industrial age, these regions are undergoing fundamental changes and the people on both sides of the Atlantic are in search of a new identity.
UNESCO is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its World Heritage Convention. The Convention’s mission is to preserve the world’s most beautiful and valuable buildings, cultural landscapes, monuments and areas of natural beauty for future generations. We introduce four World Heritage Sites in Europe: Arles, Aachen Cathedral, Tallinn and the Amalfi Coast.
