AVAILABLE FORMATS: 4K UHD

In the open wilderness of Africa, there are only 20.000 lions living a free life.  Humans have killed hundreds of thousands in the last decades – mostly for purely hunting purposes.  In the last couple of years, a new industry has developed called the canned hunting.  After 4-5 years of breeding, young lions are shot in special areas, after which tourists pay up to 40.000 USD for the corpse of the dead male lion.

A real industry developed in South Africa – lion cubs are used in petting zoos, bones of the animals are exported to Asia for so-called medical “purposes.”

Figures of more than 10.000 lions in captivity being targets for future canned hunting are supposed to be real these days.

We want to open public eyes on these industries using big cat lives for money making.  With investigative means, hidden cameras, we will try to get in touch with the people behind these intrigues.

First and foremost we want to stress the work of FOUR PAWS to save and protect big cats worldwide.  As part of FOUR PAWS’ work for wild animals in captivity, the organization focuses on the situation of big cats in zoos, in private captivity, and in the entertainment industry.

First successful action took place in 2002, when four lion cubs used for taking photos with tourists were sent from Romania to a sanctuary in South Africa.  Ever since then, FOUR PRAWS has increasingly stepped in more on this issue and has undertaken research in several countries in order to collect information about the conditions and numbers of big cats in captivity.  In November 2007, the first transfer or “rescue action” with two lions from Romania, and ten lions from Austria took place.

In the meantime the Big Cat Sanctuary LIONSROCK in South Africa is now home to more than 90 big cats.  Furthermore, FOUR PAWS concentrate on collecting more information on big cats around the world and will increase its network with other big cat sanctuaries and big cat experts.

While we can’t look into the future and foresee what may hit us next, we do know that each year brings its share of natural disasters that we often try, in vain, to anticipate, understand, and predict.  This is a new kind of natural disaster programme: instead of relying on poor quality archive footage, our crews are on standby ready to take off anywhere around the planet to film these disasters in Ultra-High Definition.  They will use state-of-the-art film technology, such as gyro-stabilized mounts attached to helicopters, drones, or ships, collapsible dolly carts and even rotating portholes that evacuate sea spray by centrifugal force to bring the highest quality images to your screen.

The carnivorous and ever wary jaguar is usually hidden deep in the forest, never revealing its true nature.  However, during recent dry seasons, they have been spotted in the Pantanal wetland in Brazil.  Using unmanned cameras and ultra-sensitive cameras, our film crew embarked on a major project to record these jaguars.  Witness an amazing Jaguar hunt that climaxes in a single deadly bite.

A story about a magic shop where no matter who you are you can get what you need.  Starring Academy Award Winner Melissa Leo, and Golden Globe Winner Alex Ebert.  Featuring original song “Butterfly” performed by Toby Rand and composed by 2013 Best Pop Album Grammy Winner, Alex Geringas.

Stunning 3D cinematography takes us into an extraordinary, sub-Antarctic island, home to majestic albatrosses, brawling fur seals and six million penguins. It’s a world away from human existence; but yet our hero’s struggle is familiar to us all, young and old alike.

After three years out on the open ocean, our bachelor returns to the place where he was born and raised: Penguin City.  On this densely-packed island, he looks to establish himself and find a mate. What follows is the most challenging time of his life.  He must grow up fast to survive and raise chicks of his own.

Once he meets the penguin of his dreams, the two of them embark upon raising a family.  Having witnessed his chick hatch, the parents work together to feed it, teach it, keep it warm against the harsh sub-Antarctic weather and protect it through its first danger-filled year.  But with predators in the sky, the land, and the water, tragedy could lie around every corner.  In the face of all these challenges, our king must persevere.

The Bachelor King‘s story is often comic, sometimes tragic, and ultimately triumphant; a rite of passage set within one of the earth’s last great wildernesses.

2015 marks the 25th anniversary year of the launch of the Hubble Space Telescope, an event that has propelled us into the Golden Age of Astronomy and brought us closer than ever to answering the most perplexing questions – what are the origins of the universe?  And are there other worlds like our own, rich with life?

The Hubble Space Telescope has led an army of new high-tech telescopes that is peering deep into the universe, returning data that scientists are using within models to explain how galaxies took shape, how stars live and die, and how the universe set the stage for life.

This visual feast of a documentary brings the most cutting-edge findings of modern astronomy to life with state-of-the-art animation, informed by supercomputer simulations of cosmic events.  Marvel at the formation of a super-massive black hole 350 million lightyears away; admire the stunning beauty of the Orion nebula; and discover what the stars tell us about our place in the stretch of time and space.

The Age of Hubble is gripping, high-end space programming at its best and essential viewing for space enthusiasts of all ages. 

In the heart of Kyoto stands a discreet but very distinguished ryokan or traditional Japanese inn, with only 18 guest rooms.  Its architecture, hospitality, cuisine, and ambience are the best Japan has to offer.

Tawaraya is many things: an inn, a house, a garden, a museum, and a haven of spirits and traditions.

Every room breathes a very Japanese sense of detail with ornaments and objects telling untold stories of exquisite Japanese culture.

Alfred Hitchcock, Jean-Paul Sartre, Steve Jobs … Artists, intellectuals, and captains of industry with a singular feel for beauty have always flocked to Tawaraya.

Filmed with 4K cameras, this documentary introduces us to this oldest and most elegant inn in Japan and reveals its beauty and astonishing history of this House of Secret Codes.

The largest creatures on Earth live underwater.  Their sheer size has always triggered our imagination.  In murky waters or inaccessible places, we ignored their true nature and created legends.

Today, scientists try to understand them, to go beyond the myths.  But stranded or fished creatures offer a poor glimpse into their world.  So how can we decipher their underwater secrets without altering their behaviour?

Meet Fred Buyle, a record-breaking freediver who has dedicated his life to this non-intrusive quest.  For science, he travels the world to tag or photo-identify large marine creatures that have populated his imaginary world since he was a child.

Polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world.  In the fall, 900 individuals gather along the Canadian coast, waiting for the annual sea ice to form so they can hunt.  The polar bears may seem active, but their bodies are in a state of hibernation so they must call upon their unique ability to persevere in this harsh environment despite extended periods of fasting.  Pregnant females fast for eight months a year during which time they give birth before emerging from their den.  This episode highlights the true strength of the rulers of the ice kingdom as they raise their cubs in extreme conditions.

(AKA Urban Rediscovery: Soft City)

Soft City introduces 3 cities that underwent beautiful changes.  Desolate cities filled with skyscrapers and grey concrete floors have undergone changes.  3 episodes featuring 3 cities: Berlin in Germany substituted the pain of war with art.  Now Berlin has become the hub for art and culture and also a popular tourist destination.  Curitiba in Brazil has become the world’s most famous Eco city, from an extremely polluted one.  And finally, Yokohama in Japan is born again as an artistic city, with beautiful buildings and unique public art.

A 34 year old woman living in modern day Seoul, Ko Hajin (played by IU), almost drowns in a lake while rescuing a child.  She awakens in 1Oth Century Korea in the court of King Taejo in the body of an attractive 16 year old girl called Haesoo.  Unable to find a way back to the present day, Hajin resigns herself to live as Haesoo in the Court of Wang Geon, the first emperor of Goryeo.  She becomes involved in the intrigues, politics, and romances of court life, earning the attention of the King’s 14 sons.  Haesoo is at first attracted to the gentle 8th prince Wang Uk (Kang Ha-neul), but soon develops feelings for the seemingly cool and single-minded 4th prince Wang So (Lee Joon-gi).  With her knowledge of history, Haesoo knows Prince Wang So will become the future King of Goryeo.  She realises that if she wishes to be in a relationship with him, she will change history.  Can she ignore her feelings or will she choose to rewrite history for the sake of love?

Breathing.  Surging.  Flowing.  Around a skeleton of glass, concrete, iron, and steel, San Francisco is animated by the never-ending flow of people, weather, traffic, and light.  San Francisco Flow will take you on a unique and meditative tour of the iconic city and its incredibly diverse series of environments, from pristine parks and watersheds to the shining towers of downtown.

Rocky Mountain Express propels audiences on a steam train journey through the breathtaking vistas of the Canadian Rockies and relates the epic adventure of building the nation’s first transcontinental railway.

Wells catfish!  Over the last fifty years, it has colonised most of Europe’s rivers – even the most polluted.  This intruder has become the largest freshwater animal in Europe, and even hunts on shore … 3 years of intense filming were necessary to capture this unique wildlife film.

After Arte’s premiere, the film will be seen worldwide on National Geographic Channels Wild under the title River Jaws.  Entirely shot in 4K, directed by Bertrand Loyer, this revelatory film takes the viewer in the intimacy of the giant.  It notably captures never before seen behavior, such as collective or even pigeon hunting with glossy slow-mo images.

Be prepared to meet the absolute monster of European rivers.

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! takes the viewer on a visual journey to one of the most beautiful and vibrant cities in the world.  Experience the main stage of the Football Worldcup 2014 and the Summer Olympics in 2016 like you have never seen it before!

This is the first portrait of Rio filmed with 4K/Ulta HD cameras, featuring breathtaking Aerial, Timelapse, and Slow Motion effect shots.  The high class soundtrack mixes catchy songs with modern and Brazilian blends of Salsa, Samba, Hiphop, and House Music.  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil! with its innovative creation of elements opens up a new, unique genre for non-verbal art films!  As part of the fifth largest country in the world Brazil, Rio is the third largest metropolitan area of South America with 12 million inhabitants.  Surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, mountains with large rainforests and constant influence of a tropic climate the city is one of the most exotic urban places on earth.  The film shows new, outstanding perspectives on the world famous beaches Copacabana and Ipanema, as well as the iconic landmarks Sugarloaf Mountain at Guanbara Bay and Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado mountain.  Spectacular impressions of the epic annual Carnival parades on public streets and at Sambodromo lead to fascinating insights on the Carioca’s second major passion: Football!

Vast ruins in Asia continue to attract people while remaining shrouded in mystery.

However, recent research has discovered that cultures and civilizations beyond our imagination once existed in Asia.  One of the world’s largest cities created deep in the jungle; the foundation of an amazing ruling system that existed 2,000 years before Western civilization; a surprising society where wealth was distributed thoroughly.  The peoples of Asia had already established far more advanced cultures and civilizations than previously thought.

The Ring of Civilizations series introduces the allure of the massive ancient ruins found throughout Asia, and tells the story of the lives and insight of those who created them.

Iceland, the land of fire and ice.  Follow fine art photographer and adventurer Jason Henthorne as he explores the majestic landscape while searching for the perfect intersection of ocean and earth.  Witness Iceland’s epic landscape through the unique eyes of Henthorne and his camera.

The yearly world cup of body painting, taking place in Austria, is a must see event for art community.  A very special part of this event is the  body painting with luminous colours.  This painting is only visible with infra light.  This will be demonstrated in a fantastic and entertaining show!

This is a wildlife feast that feature the migratory animals of the Straits of Gibraltar or the Pillars of Hercules (as it was formerly known), the border between Africa and Europe.  From the dawn of history, battles have been waged in these seas.  Today, one of them is still on each season – the fishing of red tuna in their migratory route through these waters.  This entails an intense fight between two competitors – the Moroccan fishermen and the greatest predator in the oceans, the orca.  Each year in their flight, more than 300 million of birds challenge the strongest westerly and easterly winds to head here for their winter shelters.  Will they all be able to achieve this?  For the other animal species, their migration to this land was either coincidental or compulsory, as pets or as bargaining chip between trading Arabs of Phoenicians.  Whatever the reason, the result is that these chameleons, tortoises, mongooses, and genets are all part of a legacy.  Today, they have become typical species from the south of Spain, some of them being unique representatives of their species in Europe.

An extraordinary phenomenon is taking place in the Pacific Ocean: The formation of a new island from an undersea volcanic eruption.

Located 1,000 km from Tokyo, Nishinoshima island suddenly emerged in 2013.  It is still expanding rapidly and has already become the biggest newly-born island in historic record.  Scientists are saying that this exceptional event could literally blow away previous understanding of volcanology, and solve the mystery of how continents are made.

But field investigation is nearly impossible, since the new island is strictly off limits due to the volcanic hazard.  To overcome these issues, NHK has launched a bold project to seize this very rare opportunity and help scientists solve the unknown facets of the island.  The mission involves filming this natural spectacle from the air, land and sea in stunning 4K resolution images using remote control machines, while collecting important scientific data.

Witness this once-in-a-lifetime experience of the “birth of land” in this grand science adventure documentary.