Colombia - Faces of the Columbian War
- 22' min [8 February 2010]
Uribe demands a third term.
Possibly the most downplayed conflict of today, the forty-year-old Colombian war shows no signs of ceasing. It’s fed by a billion dollar drug trade, political division and an international land battle.
“The conflict is no longer about ideology. It’s a battle of powers, a battle for territory”. It began as a war between left-wing guerrillas - hoping to establish a communist state – and right-wing paramilitary groups funded by the wealthy. Yet both sides lost support when the violence intensified. “I lost my entire family”, says Anna, whose town was hit by forty guerrilla bombs. Those who weren’t killed were evicted from valuable land and sent to ‘urban slums’. ‘Accion Social’ – the government’s aid program for the displaced - has done little to help. And the US’s half a billion dollars a year in aid may have indirectly funded the paramilitary ‘death squads’ associated with President Uribe. With cocaine production still on the rise and much of the land claimed by paramilitary groups now used by international agribusinesses, could there be a financial incentive for the ongoing war? “Paramillary narco-trafficking has never ended, because the government is supporting them”. And as an even more violent paramilitary rise to claim their piece of the profits, it’s only the 4 million displaced Columbians, who stand to lose.
Lagan Serbert, Huffington Post Investigative Fund
Italy - The Man Hunt
- 8' min 30'' sec [8 February 2010]
Immigrants flee for their lives
The recent riots between Africans and locals in the Calabrian town of Rosarno have sparked nationwide outrage. Whilst some blame racism, the appalling exploitation of migrant workers and a mafia wage levy are likelier causes.
“They are beasts. We have always helped them ... we do not want them here anymore” One of the townspeople points at the destruction left in the wake of the riots. Whilst the rest of Italy is quick to brand the locals as racists, the migrants’ growing frustration with their low pay and poor living conditions is the actual source of discontent. To make matters worse, workers must hand in up to a quarter of their earnings to the local mafia head. Journalist Domenico Mammola also blames the lingering economic crisis: “A huge problem is the dismal economic situation. For this reason you can no longer pay people properly”. With the Mafia exploiting the situation to its advantage, it is unlikely to improve nor Rosarno to remain an isolated case.
ORF
Haiti - Rescued but not Saved
- 12' min 48'' sec [8 February 2010]
G7 cancels Haiti debt
Every so often there is a glimmer of hope in Haiti, as amongst the bodies an unexpected survivor is pulled from the rubble. But what happens after the happy ending? Does rescued necessarily mean saved?
Thirty three year old Paula and her two-year-old daughter Juliana were rescued after being trapped for four days. Both Paula and the Dutch rescue team are overwhelmed at this extraordinary result; “God sent the Dutch to save me”. “This is a true miracle, isn’t it? Truly amazing! This is why we work so hard.” Yet after the hiatus comes the grim reality of spending nearly a week under the rubble. Paula has blood poisoning and must have both legs amputated. Juliana hasn’t spoken since the disaster, and is in constant pain. Doctors at the Russian emergency hospital aren’t hopeful. Paula doesn’t survive her injuries. Whatever the ending to Juliana’s story - it won’t be a fairytale.
EO
Ukraine - The Orange Chronicles
- 52' min 00'' sec [1 February 2005]
Fairwell to Orange revolution
The 2004 Ukrainian elections were overshadowed by rigging, corruption and intimidation. Now with the orange alliance in tatters Ukraine prepares for renewed Russian ties.
The definitive documentary narrative of the Orange revolution. It evocatively charts the depths of division between Russian supporting communist and Western leaning democrat. As the country now prepares to go full circle and rediscover her ties with Russia the Orange revolution remains an extraordinary event that any future communist leader would forget at their peril. Powerful and crucial archive value for today's huge developments.
DK Productions
South Africa - Africa Is Calling
- 45' min 00 sec [8 February 2010]
South Africa prepares for FIFA World Cup 2010
From SA’s re-emergence on the sporting scene as the Apartheid system crumbled; to the massive infrastructure development happening today, ‘Africa Is Calling’ takes an exuberant look at South Africa's world cup fever.
Seeing the realities of the World Cup through South African eyes, we take you onto the streets of Mzansi and unpack the greatest event that has ever hit African shores. “If the world accepts that SA has the ability to deliver the World Cup, it accepts that SA is a destination for tourism, trade and investment.” Says Danny Jordaan. Africa is calling and the world is on its way…
Carbon Media
Afghanistan - The Trap
- 52' min 00'' sec [27 November 2009]
Afghan Taliban deny talks with UN
The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan ended disastrously; with a fledgling Afghan Army providing little support against a fanatical and uncompromising, guerrilla army. Is history doomed to repeat itself?
After ten years of occupying Afghanistan, many Soviet soldiers are certain that: “our presence here can be considered a mistake”. Though far better equipped than the Muslim rebels they face, backed by helicopters and state of the art weaponry, the Soviets are under constant, albeit primitive siege. Even small children explain how they are enlisted by the ‘Mujahideen’ to shoot “Russians and communists”. And the Afghan Army has proven to be of little help. “The Afghan Army- it’s still raw” , explains a soviet soldier, “it’s up to us”. So the Soviets fight the enemy on open ground and in close combat. But it’s hard to stand up to an army that has no fear of death. “God gives those who fight Jihad a special place in Paradise!”, cries one Mujahideen before his group blast their way out of a siege using only rifles. The direct forefathers of today’s Taliban, the Mujahideen were united by a religious fanaticism powerful enough for some rag tag troops to shake a mighty army hundreds of times more powerful than themselves. When the Soviets finally pulled out of Afghanistan, 13,000 Russian soldiers and a million Afghans had died.
Jeff B. Harmon
Brazil - Silva the Amazon Saviour
- 8' min 29'' sec [1 February 2010]
Lula's health sharpens succession question
As President Lula’s health is brought into question, Brazil is looking ahead to the elections in October. Could a victory for ex-environment minister Marina Silva be the salvation of the rainforest?
When Lula made Marina Silva Environment Minister in 2002 she launched into a stringent environmental policy. "We arrested 725 people…1,500 companies were closed down…about 1 million cubic meters of timber were confiscated.” But for a government focused on expanding its industries, her policies quickly became a burden. A frustrated Silva left the government and is now an outspoken member of the Green party. “We still believe in the outdated concept of progress through unbridled industrialization, as if our natural resources are infinite. We need new answers!" Prepared to take on big industry and put the Amazon at the heart of everything, she increasingly has the support of Brazilians; “I think she has the potential of becoming a great leader.”
ORF
Hong Kong - Cage Dwellers
- 13' min 30'' sec [1 February 2010]
Poor in a rich city
Despite its wealth, Hong Kong is leaving its poor to rot in squalid conditions. With one toilet per floor and just a few square feet to their name, thousands of cage dwellers live no better than animals.
"Many can't afford three meals a day or even water, the rent is not even cheap!" says human rights activist Sze Lai. She introduces us to 79-year-old Dai, who has spent 30 years in a cage. Ten other men share his room. Piled up to the ceiling, their cages would look shocking in a zoo. A chief worry is hygiene. 8-year-old Jessica lives with her mother in a cubicle too small to let a grown man stand. She points to the only toilet on their floor: "I hate it. People above throw dead rats down here". Although the need for public housing is dire, nothing is being done to eradicate cage dwelling. With only half of the government elected by universal suffrage, the poor just don't have a voice.
SBS
South Africa - The Painted Dog
- 25' min 00'' sec [1 February 2010]
Will the wild dog finally be listed on CITES?
When a team goes to South Africa to relocate some rare wild dogs, they uncover a shocking story. The dogs are bred and sold to zoos worldwide, even though their numbers in the wild are dwindling.
This investigative report reveals the hidden trade in Africa's rare wild hunting dogs. It's a trade that was denied by the people meant to protect them - “We were unaware of trading being a significant issue in wild dog conservation”, explains Dr Claudio Sillero. A trade that stretches from the dogs homeland in Africa, to China and America. With only 3000 dogs remaining in the wild, will action be taken fast enough to save them?
Bart Reterink
U.A.E - Pocket Submarines
- 4' min 21'' sec [1 June 2007]
You’ve gotta be rich to sink this low!
Forget flashy Ferraris - submarines are Dubai's new transport obsession. Designed specifically for the new underwater tourism market, the extravagant submarines cost a whopping $40,000 to $10 million!!
“The people of Dubai are serious and they know what they’re doing when it comes to investment.” And these customised private luxury vessels certainly are an investment! Holding up to 10 people and reaching depths of 70m, the new Persian Gulf underwater highway even has its own traffic submarine to keep order in the murky shallows. “With this opportunity, we will be able to take our families along.”
Eccentrics
Keywords: quirky, transport, sea, water, UAE, wealth, expensive, extravagance, ocean
UPSIDE
Brazil - The Dark Side Of Rio
- 6' min 50'' sec [25 January 2010]
Shootouts between police and criminals leave 7 dead.
Eight miles of walls are being constructed around hundreds of Rio de Janeiro’s sprawling slums. Are they really eco-barriers, protecting the rainforest, or a disguise for the city’s social problems?
“Here in Brazil, a wall does not signify separation or division, a wall does not cause problems for the community”, says the Police Captain. Yet the residents of the slums, known as ‘favelas’, tell a different story. Most only agreed to the wall after the government offered them better services and a hospital. All believe that the walls are intended to contain the slums in time for Rio to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympics. Even the police officers confirm their value as an instrument of control: “The Wall helps, really helps us”, they say, nervously patrolling the two entrances and exits to the Dona Marta slum. Rio’s 750 slums have become notorious for drug trafficking, police killings and a Brazilian reality little seen by the tourists on the beaches. Yet the residents believe that barriers like this will only deepen centuries of social divide. Across Rio, the biggest favela district of Mare, is still in the grip of a deadly gang war. “The truth is that this wall is going only to cause more war”, says Damian, a ‘third commando’ of a dangerous drugs gang, “more police will die, traffickers will die and the killing will continue”.
Native Voice Films
Israel/Palestine - Across The Wall
- 15' min 00'' sec [25 January 2010]
EU must push for talks within 1 year
What is it like to be a Christian in the heart of Palestine? Can faith really prevail over violence and division? In the Catholic parish of Nablus, a few are still determined to bear their cross.
Born a Jew, converted Catholic and expert on the history of Islam, Father Vincent Nagle seemed predestined to come to Palestine. Now a priest in Nablus, one of the most volatile cities in the region, he tries to make sense of the divisions that dominate everyday life there: "This land. It is precisely what unites us that also divides us". Caught in the crossfire between communities, living in Nablus as a Christian is not easy. "Here for the Muslims, we are Christians. And for the Jews, we are Arabs", a parishioner tells Vincent. Yet, the few-hundred strong community is held together by the belief that they are preserving an essential part of the land: "If all the Christians leave, all that’s left is a museum!"
Fraternità san Carlo, Jonah Lynch
Haiti - The Cursed Land
- 7' min 10'' sec [25 January 2010]
Search and rescue attempts dwindle
Regarded as the ‘voice of the nation’, Haitian author Franketienne has always spoken out about the plight of his country. After surviving the earthquake, he insists that his people learn from the disaster.
Franketienne had just been rehearsing a play about an earthquake. Suddenly for him, dark fiction had come to terrible life. “For our people things have never been worse; there is an apocalyptic atmosphere.” Speaking before the earthquake, Franketienne critically surveys his country’s 200year history of rebellion, dictatorship and extreme poverty, and claims a lack of responsible governance has left Haiti impossible to help. After the earthquake he is no less admonishing of his compatriots. “It should be a lesson to us that we cannot continue to have the world's poorest, most corrupt country…because its all so terrible here.”
ORF
Thailand - The World's Largest Restaurant
- 4' min 06'' sec [1 June 2007]
Flying Won Tons!
Ever wanted to be served by flying waiters or book an intimate dinner party for 5000 people?! Welcome to the crazy and extravagant world of ‘The Royal Dragon’ - The world’s largest restaurant.
Bangkok’s dining experience goes far beyond the norm; it’s got 80 chefs and 35,000sq metre of floor space, catering for up to 16,000 customers per night. “We get through several hundred kilos of meat a day!” says one of the chefs. Diners arrive by the busload to see the spectacular shows put on by the 500 strong staff force. Waiters serving up Chinese cuisine on roller skates and flying through the air delivering lobster - this is certainly a unique night out!
Eccentrics
Keywords: quirky, thai, food, roller skates, Thailand, asia
UPSIDE
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