When Sweden joins NATO, the Baltic Sea will be almost entirely under the alliance’s control. Because Russia sees this as a threat, the Baltic Sea has become the focus of geopolitical interests again, and tensions between Western and Russian military forces are rising. We examine this warfront at sea. What are the key players doing and why?
Once at the mercy of Russian interests, Ukraine has become a confident nation that is seeking independence from its historical Soviet ties. Leading experts from the global political stage look at how the 2013 protests on Kyiv’s Maidan Square marked the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Sara Mardini, once a competitive swimmer in Syria, became Europe’s most celebrated refugee after saving 18 people’s lives. After working as a rescue volunteer in the Mediterranean, she is accused of people smuggling and faces a 25-year prison sentence. We follow her fight for justice and journey of self-discovery against the backdrop of Europe’s refugee ‘crisis’.
Ai Weiwei’s middle finger – deleted. Pillar of Shame – removed. The film Revolution of Our Times – banned. Bit by bit, critical art is being eliminated in Hong Kong. How are the creatives reacting? Are they giving in or fighting back? Based on the examples of various artists, the film shows how protest and art are still possible despite censorship.
Algorithms decide whether we are creditworthy, entitled to social welfare and which partner is the right one for us. But what happens if algorithms make mistakes? We tell the stories of people whose lives have been turned upside down after algorithms misjudged their situations. Who is responsible if AI turns out to be a curse rather than a blessing?
Taranto in southern Italy is home to Europe’s largest steelworks. Studies show that emissions of toxic substances such as dioxin and benzopyrene are the cause of disproportionately high rates of cancer in the region. The government in Rome has known about this for years, yet steel production continues. How is this possible?
An investigative journey to the American west, which is increasingly threatened by water scarcity. Scientific data shows that this region is drying out, with devastating consequences for communities and the environment. Conflicts of biblical proportions are already emerging – defined by the struggle for our most precious resource.
A story about a man who dedicated his life to preserving the Church but instead led it into its greatest crisis: Pope Benedict XVI. After the worldwide sexual abuse scandal became public, Benedict resigned in 2013. An analysis of the failings of an institution that believes in absolute truth as it struggles to come to terms with modern democratic society.
Tonight on December 1st Ben Lawrence’s Film “Ithaka – A Fight to Free Julian Assange” premieres at the 19th Barcelona Human Rights Festival in Spain.
After Russian troops withdrew from the Kyiv region, the small town of Bucha became a symbol of Russian war crimes. How do people live there now – after experiencing such trauma and while the war rages on? This film tells stories about destroyed lives, about atrocities and abysses, but also about humanity and hope.
Filmed over two years across the UK, Europe and the US, this documentary follows 76 year-old retired builder, John Shipton’s tireless campaign to save his son, Julian Assange. Weaving historic archives and intimate behind-the-scenes footage, this story tracks John’s journey alongside Julian’s fiancée, Stella Moris, as they join forces to advocate for Julian.
In the small Lithuanian town of Rukla, NATO combat troops are training for an emergency. The east-west conflict is real here. While the threat still seems very abstract to some people in the town, others intensively prepare for military conflict. But then the war in Ukraine escalates and a new era begins for everyone.
