The Arctic is accessible to man only because of ice dogs. As hunters, haulers and guardians, for thousands of years they have been a vital link to nature. Dogs led the Sarqaq people out of Siberia and, a millennium later, led explorers to the North Pole. Amundsen won the race to the Pole because he relied on ice dogs. As the light returns to Greenland, we arrive in Scoresbysund with a troop of the only companions worth having.
Iceland – a unique land with an incomparable landscape and pleasantly euphoric inhabitants.
This documentary is a scenic expedition through majestic volcanoes, seething geysers, powerful waterfalls, threatening fjords, and almighty glaciers. Hardly any other country offers such a variety of spectacular forces of nature! But not only that, this island offers its people a bout of freedom and equality that puts it on the list as the number one place to visit. With an extremely low mortality rate, high life expectancy and stellar incomes it is giving Disney land stiff competition as the happiest place on earth. While chalked full of excitement and good cheer, this documentary will give you an insight into how it can be that the people of a small, distant island with only a fraction of sunlight in some months can be happier than the people in sun-blessed Italy and Spain.
Samurai swords have served as lethal weapons but also as objects of sacred beauty in Japan. Priced as high as $1 million, a sword’s beauty can only be revealed by the polishers who show its splendid temper patterns reflecting the sun, waves, and flowers. But today, there are only 50 polishers left and that number is fast dwindling.
Master Sasaki is the only polisher to teach young protégés the ancient techniques. Two rivals, Yuichi and Yuki, undergo a grueling and sometimes humorous apprenticeship, hoping to win the big contest that can make or break their future as an independent polisher. Will the art of samurai swords stand a chance of being passed on for another thousand years? Beautifully shot 4K images showcase the little-known world of Japanese sword polishers.
An “independent watchmaker” is a watch craftsperson creating works of art based on his/her own ideals without belonging to any corporation. Among these watchmakers, Masahiro Kikuno is one that has been receiving attention for his extremely unique work that highlights traditional Japanese culture. Now, Kikuno is aiming to recreate an ultimate timepiece into a wristwatch. It is based on a “temporal hour clock” made by a Japanese master craftsman in 1851, which divides the time between sunrise and sunset into six equal parts. As the length of the day varies with the season, the length of the temporal hours changes by season. The complex and exquisite automaton clock consists of more than 1000 parts. The documentary closely follows Kikuno’s amazing creative activity of translating the same system into a small wrist watch.
Enjoy the exquisite world of traditional Japanese craftsmanship in stunning ultra-high-definition 4K images.
Their landscapes and ecosystems are as diverse as the planets which align our solar system. Travel around the world to explore this mysterious, and still vastly uncharted, subterranean world.
Audiences will uncover an abundance of natural, ecological, and archaeological jewels which lay hidden within the world’s deepest, darkest, and most astonishing caves. Embark on the adventure of a lifetime through tight passageways, down deep vertical shafts, and across searing cavern floors. Journey from the watery Caves Branch of Belize to the frozen kingdom of Eisriesenwelt — from the gargantuan Sotano De Las Golondrinas to the indignant fires of the Hawaiian Lava Tubes. From mystical Mayan ruins, to awe-inspiring crystalline chambers, viewers will witness a collection of natural wonders as far as the eye can see – all in a world apart from our own.
Michael Cockerell presents a major new four part series filmed over the course of a year in the House of Commons. In this pioneering project by Atlantic Productions, camera crews are given unparalleled access to areas normally forbidden to the public and reveal the hidden workings of this iconic institution. Traveling deep inside the corridors of the Palace of Westminster, this series reveals what really went on behind the scenes during a remarkable year in politics in the run up to one of the most unpredictable general elections in British history.
Inside the Commons follows Ministers and MPs high and low as they seek to navigate the machinery of the House, to make laws and fight their constituents’ battles. The series also introduces the nation to the people who keep the Commons working: from the keeper of Big Ben and the Hawker responsible for keeping pigeons off the 19th century stonework to the gospel-singing tea lady of the Members’ Tea Room. From crumbling stonework to leaky roofs, the series shows the challenges faced as staff strive to keep the country’s most iconic and historic building functioning as a modern parliament.
A piece of cloth folded like origami transforms into a three-dimensional designer outfit when spread out. Master fashion designer Issey Miyake has been taking the fashion world by storm for decades with innovative creations that have redefined the Western concept of clothing. Miyake, now in his 70’s, is filled with more ideas than ever before. This documentary closely follows Miyake in the creative process of a new series of “origami-like” designs based on his concept of “A Piece of Cloth.” Miyake and his young staff members are relentless in the pursuit of the designs that are beautiful when folded flat, and are attractive when worn dynamically. Witness the passion, ambition and creative struggles of Miyake and his team, beginning with the planning right thru to the completion of his new collection.
Kyoto Imperial Palace contains several residences of the Imperial family as well as a number of vast gardens. To promote the Imperial Palace both nationally and internationally as a symbol of Japan and an estate worthy of an imperial household, the residences feature the most luxurious furniture and the finest craftsmanship. The Imperial Palace is part of a valuable cultural heritage that reveals an aristocratic culture dating back more than a thousand years.
Narrated by Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons, the four wildlife episodes of Life on Fire paint survival stories around different volcanoes. From the dark abyss to pristine snow-capped peaks, spectacular scenery provides the backdrop for the extraordinary animals and plants that have learned to juggle with fire. Fragile and engaging, these creatures teach us lessons in survival in a world as fascinating as it is dangerous. Two Scientific episodes show how we live and react to volcanoes. “Volcano Doctors” portrays the current technological revolution driven by the extensive use of telemetry to monitor volcanoes. It reveals the conflict between the scientists risking their lives to understand and predict the next eruption set against the pragmatism of people who live and work in the shadow of moody volcanoes. “Icelandic Volcanoes: Who’s Next?” reveals that Eyjafjallajökull – though it caused havoc – was in geological history a relatively minor eruption and that several other volcanoes with the potential to create far greater catastrophe are simply biding their time …
The world’s elite independent watchmakers are incredibly passionate about watch making from design to assembly, delicately bringing together hundreds of minuscule parts all by hand. The price for one such truly artistic timepiece can fetch up to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Their phenomenal techniques stretching the limits of human capability are almost divine. Example of their mastery include a watch that uses only wooden parts except for the springs, a watch without hands or a face, and a watch that shows celestial movement. This documentary series goes deep into the workshops of the world’s expert independent watchmakers.
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Michael Watchulonis, MicroPlanet takes viewers on a groundbreaking adventure into the tiny kingdoms of thieves, assassins, and gentle souls alike. See microscopic flatworms with miraculous powers of regeneration dig through the muck of a freshwater lake. Witness ferocious antlions build deathtraps and ambush fire ants. Learn how water striders do the seemingly impossible – walk on water. And watch sneaky toads find a mate on a beautiful moonlit night.
With each new day, we engage in rituals that we’ve developed through instinct and years of routine. Because we have repeated the patterns so many times, we can succumb to a dulled awareness of our surroundings. It is easy to become unaware that these daily patterns and routines are repeated on every scale in nature and in the lives of all creatures. All around us there is drama that is constantly unfolding, unseen — paralleling our own rituals, struggles and triumphs. Every organism plays a role and adds a unique contribution. There is a certain uniformity in nature’s complexity and our existence is truly a series of interconnected events.
Sports Science reveals how top athletes use their bodies and skills.
The world’s top synchronized swimmers Natalia Ishchenko and Svetlana Romashina have an impossible stunt called The Russian Roulette where the two move their legs at breakneck speed during a routine when oxygen levels drop dangerously.
A first-ever research by NHK has revealed that when underwater, they display abilities only aquatic mammals are known to have! Be amazed at the supreme performances of the duo metamorphosing into real mermaids in beautiful 4K images.
The glorious Chitwan National Park extends over the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. A large river fed by melted snow and monsoon rains runs through this World Heritage site, attracting endangered species such as Indian rhinoceroses and Indian elephants. Mingling among them are gharials, one of the world’s largest crocodiles. At six meters in length, the main feature of this conspicuous creature is its long, thin jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. Gharials swish their jaws back and forth to catch fish with impeccable timing. Males also make an explosive sound when courting females. This episode, filmed over an extended period between the dry and rainy seasons, reveals the wisdom behind the secrets to their survival.
The 17th century: The super powers are the Habsburg Empire and the Ottoman Empire, being more than just enemies. On September 11, 1697, the Ottoman army is annihilated in the battle of Zenta by the imperial army led by Prince Eugene of Savoy, thus ending the steady rise of the Ottoman Empire over the previous centuries. The dominance of the Habsburgs is well documented, but the Ottoman Empire was a civilization that was no less developed and whose culture we know only little about. Yet the Sultans ruled over Asia Minor, the Near East, the Balkans, North Africa, the Crimea and current-day Hungary for several centuries. We follow Emetullah Rabia Gülnuş Sultan, first concubine in the harem and later, as a mother of two Sultans, Valide Sultan. For more than 30 years the Greek woman, abducted from Crete at the age of four, had enormous influence over the political and cultural fortunes of the Ottoman Empire. Our protagonist on the Habsburg side is Prince Eugene of Savoy, who, from an emotionally neglected childhood, rose to huge success as a feared army leader and the wealthiest man of his time. Elaborate computer simulations and skillful re-enactments immerse viewers in the elegant, yet also brutal and merciless world of the Habsburg and the Ottoman Empire, showing not only their military encounters but also the mutual influences in the fields of culture, science and even food.
The MTB Insights Series offers a unique, Ultra HD view into mountain biking today. Looking at each aspect of the sport, this series is for enthusiasts and experts alike. Each episode takes an in-depth look at the culture, evolution, and champions of one of the fastest growing extreme sports in the world. Season 1 broadcast internationally in over 20 countries and received outstanding feedback from VOD audiences.
After the success of Season 1, MTB Insights is back with a new 10 x 26mins season, fresh faces, and new places. Filmed in brilliant 4K with legendary riders such as Cedric Gracia and Cam Zink. Discover unique spots like Bear Mountain Resort and the legendary Coastal Gravity park, Canada, and many other international destinations. This documentary driven series offers a true insight into mountain biking around the world.
With more than 300 days a year, the sun dominates this country so much that it’s even shining from their flag.
It’s a barren land, sometimes like from another planet but still familiar –a land of contrasts and colours with wide landscapes and fascinating deserts. Influenced by various cultures during colonization and now reborn from the shadows of Apartheid in 1990, Namibia gives a beautiful collage of culture, language, art, music, and food.
Everyone who loves an adventure should travel to Namibia, the precious corner of our world full of incredible natural wonders. The experience of endless landscapes and an unparalleled blaze of colour make Namibia unforgettable.
Namibia – The Spirit of Wilderness invites you on a trip whose fascination will never let you go: from the Namib Desert over the breath-taking Fish River Canyon to the spectacular Etosha National Park where you will see wild elephants, antelopes, giraffes, zebras, and lions.
