HERE BE DRAGONS - IN SEARCH OF NEW GUINEA
NO HALLELUJAH, NO TOBACCO
New Guinea, the second largest island in the world, is home to 1000 tribes and 1000 languages. When colonialists, missionaries and multinational corporations invaded New Guinea the impact was devastating. Tribal traditions went on a collision course with modern civilization, not to mention globalization, resulting in rampant corruption, tribal warfare and apocalyptic millennial movements. The island is overflowing with missionaries of all kind, using every means to stay ahead in the race for souls.
HERE BE DRAGONS - IN SEARCH OF NEW GUINEA
FIRST COME, LAST SERVED
The island is divided into two and the western half known as West Papua. The history of the territory diverged in 1962, when nominal colonial rule was replaced with Indonesian tyranny. The handover was masterminded by John F. Kennedy and implemented under the auspices of the United Nations. During the following decades thousands of West Papuans have lost their lives. They have been beaten, raped and murdered or simply "disappeared". The soil of West Papua hides unimaginable riches which are being plundered with little regard for the environment. The world's largest open-cut goldmine has turned sacred rivers into cesspools.
THE SPIRITS ARE HUNGRY
WEST AFRICAN VOODOO TODAY
Voodoo is perhaps the most misunderstood of all the world's major religions. For many today the word Voodoo evokes images of dolls stuck with pins and of re-animated corpses known as Zombies. Misunderstandings give rise to fears, and in many Christian cultures Voodoo has become synonymous with black magic, sorcery and Satanism. Just as its beliefs and rituals are misunderstood, so too are its roots. Contrary to popular belief, Voodoo does not originate in Haiti or Brazil, but in a relatively unknown West African country - the Republic of Benin. Today Voodoo is a religious force to be reckoned with, it has spread to four continents and has more than 60 million followers.
This documentary returns to Voodoo's West African roots, shedding light on its central themes and rituals, its relationship with daily life, politics and other religions.
SVALBARD
HIGH HOPES IN THE HIGH ARCTIC
Since 2006 Svalbard has measured the highest positive deviation from average temperatures on the planet. Shifting energy balance, disappearing sea-ice and spreading pollution all threaten survival in the High Arctic. Scientists in the Norwegian settlement of Longyearbyen have come up with a plan which allows for the continued use of coal while protecting the environment. Svalbard is becoming the worlds first completely CO2 free area. Hydrogen produced from coal will run all transportation while CO2 released from burning coal is captured and stored underground. The island group is also home to the Arctic Seed Vault which guards the planets crops from global disasters. The bomb-proof vault is carved into a mountainside and designed to withstand nuclear armageddon as well as Earth-impact events. Stored inside are seeds for all the world´s major crops. The facility is self-sufficient and built to last forever. It allows the seeds to survive for thousands of years without electric power or human interaction.
The documentary portrays the effects of climate change in the High Arctic through rare on-location footage, expert interviews and satellite animation.
ERNA RAID
THE TOUGHEST MILITARY COMPETION EVER
30 teams from around the world take part in this grueling competition: 100 kilometers of tactical movement in 96 hours. Along the route the teams measure their patrol skills at 9 checkpoints which push the tired teams to their limits and beyond. Constantly on the move, day and night, the teams must navigate in difficult terrain all the while avoiding land- and airborne counter-action units. With no rest and no second chances, it takes an exceptional team to complete the race. Join us as we follow four teams throughout the competition. Different nationalities, genders and outlooks are put to the ultimate test with surprising results.