DW Documentary

Why do people in Europe refer to them as "Arabic numerals" when they were invented in India? How could ten tiny symbols conquer the world? And how did zero change the course of history? The Western world calls them "Arabic numerals," while in the Arab world, today's European notation is thought of as being Western. What is "Arabic" about the symbols that traveled from India to Europe and on to the rest of the world? Following the trail of our numbers leads us to Baghdad. There, in the eighth century, a scholar named al-Khwarizmi — Latinized as "Algorismi," later to be found in the word "algorithm" — helped spread Indian numerals. He would become known as the father of modern algebra. The "Arabic" numerals commonly used in Europe today derive from another variant, known as "Ghubar" — Arabic for "dust." That had emerged from the so-called "dust tables" used by Maghrebi merchants around the Mediterranean. From Europe to America, and from the dawn of modern science to the computer age — the fascinating history of these ten small digits is

Russia needs more soldiers. At least 250,000 have already died in the Ukraine war. Moscow is also seeking new recruits abroad - sometimes using questionable methods. A group of Indian nationals traveled to Russia for a vacation. They wound up on the front-line - conscripted against their will by the Russian army. And this is not an isolated case, with frequent reports of foreigners falling into the clutches of Russian recruiters. Russia needs a reliable supply of new soldiers for the war against Ukraine. But the Kremlin wants to avoid a mass mobilization at home. Instead, it is ramping up its international recruitment drive, targeting men from countries like Kenya, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Cuba and Central Asia. Some are lured by money, others by promises of work or study opportunities. Ukraine says more than 27,000 foreign fighters are now fighting on the Russian side. The film takes viewers to Ukraine, Kenya and India, features interviews with the relatives of fallen foreign soldiers, survivors and Ukrainian investigators, and reveals how Russia is exploiting economic hardship in poorer countries and, with

Could Germany become a hotspot for the global markets of the future? Young startup founders are using cutting-edge innovations to tackle tomorrow's biggest challenges. They're not just dreaming about the future — they're building it. With humanoid robots, climate-friendly chocolate and next-generation semiconductors, they just might transform entire industries. David Reger, founder of NEURA Robotics, is developing intelligent humanoid robots with his team in Metzingen, Germany — not to replace people, but to assist them: in the home, in caregiving and in dangerous situations. Speed and efficiency are the focus for brothers Sebastian and Daniel Schall, the minds behind Black Semiconductor. Their chip technology combines electrical and optical data transmission — a small revolution in the semiconductor market. In a purpose-built high-tech production facility in Aachen, Germany, international experts are laying the foundations for tomorrow's energy efficiency — creating a cornerstone for artificial intelligence, autonomous driving and the digital transformation. Twins Sara and Max Marquart, founders of Planet A Foods, are exploring the future of what we eat. Their goal: to complement cocoa and coffee — crops increasingly affected by

From peasants' son to revolutionary leader — Mao Zedong laid the foundation for modern China. This three-part documentary offers an in-depth look at one of the most influential figures of the 20th century. *Part 2 & 3 coming soon!* Part 2: Available from 10 October 2026 Part 3: Available from 17 October 2026 The legacy of the "founding father" of the People's Republic of China remains deeply controversial. Revered in Europe as a revolutionary icon in the late 1960s, Mao led China to the brink of disaster and ultimately clung to power with a regime of terror. Yet today's leaders in Beijing continue to draw on the cult of Mao. China is now a global power, a transformation that would be difficult to imagine without Mao Zedong. When Mao Zedong was born in 1893, nothing hinted at his meteoric rise to power. The son of a farming family, he grew up during a period of political instability and profound social upheaval. The 1911 Revolution, which marked the beginning of the end of imperial rule, awakened his mind to politics. At

A cinematic journey through the first year of Donald Trump's second term as president. Fear, hope, protest, loyalty and disappointment all shape this portrait of the US as a nation in turmoil. Washington, D.C., and Piedmont, West Virginia. As President Trump's second term sparks fear and alarm in the liberal capital, coal country in Appalachia clings to the hope of a long-awaited economic turnaround. Only a two-and-a-half-hour drive separates Washington, D.C., from Piedmont, West Virginia — yet the two places exist in hugely different cultural worlds. In liberal D.C., shock about Donald Trump's return for a second term runs deep. Many federal workers fear for their jobs, rights and democracy. In coal country, by contrast, Trump is seen as the last hope for an economic revival. Coal trains may still rumble through town, but factories stand empty and drug problems are tearing through the community. Even so, there's tremendous resilience to be found here. This documentary follows both places over the course of a year, exploring how people with sharply contrasting realities see Trump's return to the presidency. In Washington

Rudolf Steiner is synonymous with Waldorf education - and its controversial teachings. This documentary explores the impact his ideas have had, and why they continue to draw both supporters and critics, to this day. The name Rudolf Steiner resonates. To some, he's a visionary educational reformer and humanist. To others, the founder of a world view that lies beyond scientific validity. His teachings have shaped education, agriculture and medicine - garnering plenty of criticism, along the way. The film paints a nuanced portrait of a thinker vacillating between a desire for reform and esotericism. It explores the enduring impact of his ideas and asks what role they play in the present day, at a time when scientific knowledge and social norms are increasingly coming into question. Does Steiner's esoteric world view help fuel today's skepticism towards science? ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs

After a series of fatal shark attacks, Australia is turning toward high-tech solutions. This includes drones, smart capture systems and cutting-edge research, which — unlike shark nets — don't harm the predatory fish. Marine biologist Paul Butcher heads the New South Wales shark management program, which introduced smart drumlines that allow sharks to be caught alive before being tagged and released without hurting them. The program is aided by the world's largest drone-based beach surveillance system. One of Butcher's key collaborators is Mark Atkins, who oversees the drone program. The system delivers real-time warnings for swimmers and surfers, while airborne cameras also provide researchers with valuable data on shark movements. Drone operator Gabriel Roxburgh conducts patrols of Bellina's coastline. He is taking a closer look at the new arrival of massive schools of baitfish, because he knows that, where prey gathers, large predators usually follow. But the high-tech approach also has its critics. Surfer and shark-control activist Daniel Webber says stronger measures are needed, and that the move away from traditional shark nets puts human lives at risk. In neighboring

Nimeksha Siddi is 18 years old and India's sprinting hope for the 2028 Olympics. Nimeksha belongs to the Siddi ethnic group, whose daily lives are marked by racism and exclusion. The 18-year-old sprinter Nimeksha flies down the home straight like a bolt of lightning. She's a Siddi. Hardly anyone knows about her people, not even in India, where the Siddi have lived for 500 years. Her ancestors came to India from Africa as slaves or mercenaries. It's not known how many Siddi live in India. They all have the surname Siddi. They are Muslim, Christian or Hindu - and are often mistaken for tourists by many Indians. Most live in poverty, scraping by as day laborers, gathering plants, honey or rubber. In 1983, India's Minister for Sport launched a program aimed at tapping into the community's athletic potential. Children from Siddi villages were recruited and coached in running. One of the most successful was Kamala Siddi. At the age of 15, she set a national record in the pentathlon, won bronze and gold at international level, and was rewarded with

To what extent do German hospitals rely on foreign healthcare professionals? This film looks at expert opinions and the personal experiences of doctors from abroad, to highlight the structural challenges facing the German hospital system. Germany is training more doctors than ever before - but the shortfall in hospitals still runs to thousands. The reason for this lies less in the absolute figures than in their distribution. Many specialists are drawn to urban centers, while rural areas face a shortage of skilled staff. Furthermore, many doctors are set to retire in the coming years, and an increasing number of them are working part-time. This is creating a noticeable shortage despite the high density of doctors, a problem exacerbated by a hospital system that's under financial pressure in many places. Although Germany has many hospitals by international standards, these include numerous small clinics in rural areas that are often barely profitable. To counteract this trend, a comprehensive hospital reform was launched at the end of 2024: fewer sites, greater specialization, and more outpatient treatment. While the Joint Federal Committee sees opportunities

People on the autism spectrum have dreams like many other people’s: love, a career, friendships. But the path to achieving them is often strewn with challenges. "Life on the Spectrum" tells the stories of Sebastian, Lena, Diane and Elias. With sensitivity and intimacy, it shows us just how varied and complicated life with autism can be. There’s Sebastian, who's looking for a partner. Lena wants to become a doctor, despite all the setbacks she has faced. And Diane, who wants to help her son Elias settle into school life, but keeps encountering obstacles in the process. They offer us moving insights into their lives at these pivotal moments. The documentary doesn't focus on the diagnosis, but rather on the people themselves, with their hopes, strengths and vulnerabilities. With a gentle camera style and a visual language that also brings inner landscapes to life, the documentary opens doors to a world that's still unfamiliar to many. ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant

Hotter temperatures, falling groundwater levels, and dry soil are putting pressure on Germany's water resources. Can plans to improve water retention and restore river landscapes solve the problem? This documentary follows people who are fighting to secure the future of water resources in three German states. They range from scientists to farmers, to environmental groups, and politicians. We discover the consequences of decades of river straightening and hear why floodplains are so important for flood protection, drinking water supply, and climate adaptation. Using the examples of the Unstrut, Mulde, and Elbe rivers, the film illustrates the opportunities offered by renaturation projects as well as the divisions they can cause. Amid the tensions between nature conservation, agriculture, and political interests, one central question arises: How can Germany ensure more water is retained in the land in future? ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and

Marine pilots must make crucial decisions under extreme conditions. Transferring from a cargo ship to a small pilot boat in hurricane-force gusts can be fatal. For marine pilots, this is the most dangerous moment in their daily working lives: climbing down a rope ladder from a cargo ship in gale-force gusts, and transferring to a small pilot boat. In mid-January, a pilot fell into the sea off Borkum and was taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia. Just a few days earlier, a British colleague died during a similar maneuver. Harbor pilot Gerhard Janssen and sea pilot Dominik Thieben are getting ready for their assignment. In force 8 winds, they set off in the pilot boat to the cargo ship "Silver Soul". They must guide it safely out of the harbor, along the Ems River in northern Germany, and out into the North Sea. They face oncoming traffic, poor visibility and a narrow channel that leaves little room to maneuver. Off the island of Borkum, a pilot boat will pick them up and take them back to shore. Transferring vessels in

How do we break free from a spiral of hate? This documentary follows people in Bosnia, Mexico, and Canada who have found ways to deal with hate—and to overcome it. As the host of a children’s show, Tobi Krell is surrounded by closeness and trust. At the same time, he observes a growing coarsening of society worldwide: People treat one another with aggression, violence, and hostile stereotypes. He sets out to look for approaches to breaking the cycle of hate. In Sarajevo, he meets Adnan, a war veteran. Three decades after the end of the Bosnian War, tensions remain palpable. Adnan grapples with the question of how to dispel stereotypes—and what it takes to counter them in everyday life. In Canada, Tobi Krell meets Lauren and her mother. As a teenager, Lauren joined a far-right group. The two explain how they were able to stay in touch despite this experience—and what role personal bonds play in leaving such groups. In Monterrey, in northeastern Mexico, Anni shares her experiences with domestic violence. She shows how she has learned to reflect on

In 2024, several Latin Americans were caught committing sabotage on behalf of Russia. A DW investigation reveals how they came to work for Moscow's secret services and who recruited them. It started with an arson attack at a Polish construction-supply business and continued with arrests in Czechia and Romania for similar offenses. Just weeks later, Lithuanian investigators uncovered a plot to set fire to military equipment. All of the suspects were from Spanish-speaking countries, but investigators traced the actions back to Russia's secret services - and a Cuban dance teacher in Russia, Oemis Romagoza Durruthy. DW and three other European broadcasters have spent more than a year looking into this case. This documentary reveals how Russia reached across continents to organize a destabilizing campaign against Europe and follow the trail of these attacks to a dance studio in Russia. ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of

On September 11th, 2001, four hijacked airplanes struck the heart of America. At 8:46 am, New York time, the first airplane crashed into the World Trade Centre -- an attack whose global consequences still reverberate to this day. As early as 1999, Osama bin Laden devised a plan to use civilian aircraft as weapons. The targets were chosen for their symbolic significance to the USA: The World Trade Centre was an economic hub, the Pentagon was the military nerve center, and the White House was the center of political power. But how could the attack manage to succeed? Months before the attacks, the CIA had crucial leads - including the names of known terrorists. Yet they failed to put the puzzle together. This documentary retraces the attacks of September 11th, 2001 in precise chronological order - in the air, at Ground Zero, in newsrooms and in the centers of power in the USA. Archival footage, audio recordings and findings from the 9/11 Commission Report make it possible to reconstruct the events, almost in real time. "9/11 - The Day that

A state-of-the-art fishing trawler from Cuxhaven sets sail from Tromsø to hunt for cod. The crew faces six weeks at sea, during which the men must work hard, in shifts around the clock. The fishermen receive only a modest base salary but are paid a percentage of the sales proceeds. This means: The more they catch, the more they earn. The fishermen process the catch directly on board. But suddenly, the equipment comes to a standstill. No one knows what’s wrong. Will the crew have to return to shore? Also on board is scientific observer Tim Schorr. His job is to document what the crew is catching from the sea. But he falls ill and must disembark as soon as possible. The problem: the nearest port is a two days’ journey away. The film offers a glimpse into the tough business of deep-sea fishing - work the fishermen love, despite the hardships. ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a

Cold therapy, knee distraction or cartilage transplantation from the nose to the knee: what really helps with knee pain? New procedures are bringing fresh hope to people with osteoarthritis and joint degeneration. Knee pain, wear and tear, osteoarthritis: millions of people suffer from these conditions. Natural remedies and high-tech medicine can alleviate the symptoms and improve joint mobility. Cartilage loss in the knee was long considered irreversible. The cartilage acts as a shock absorber between the bones of the joint and cushions the impact of each step. Once it starts wearing away, the bones rub against one another. This can lead to osteoarthritis; often accompanied by pain and restricted movement. This is where an innovative approach from The Netherlands comes in: knee joint distraction. When the bones of the knee joint are pulled slightly apart, this creates a space that stimulates the body's natural cartilage-repair mechanisms. In Germany, orthopedic surgeon Kaywan Izadpanah from the University Medical Centre Freiburg is one of the first doctors to perform this procedure. Researchers at Basel University Hospital are trying something else. They remove a

Lars used to be a police officer. Together with his wife Sandy and their young son, he moved from Germany to a remote Scottish island in the Atlantic. Colonsay has only 120 inhabitants, a shop and a café - and not much else. Lars was keen to escape big city life and pitched the idea to his Scottish wife, Sandy. She agreed to relocate their family and move to Colonsay. The remote island is where she grew up; she and Lars even got married there a few years ago. Lars is a lively, sociable type. Will the solitude and almost eerie tranquility on the island in winter suit him? Lars’ father-in-law runs an oyster farm on Colonsay. He’d been looking for someone to take over the business and now Lars is there to help. It’s a tough business. In summer, life feels like a holiday. But in winter, ‘the demons come’, as the islanders say. Lars, too, is struggling with his past. It’s only light for a few hours a day in winter, and the island is often battered by

Afro-Caribbean sailor Lionel Romney survived eleven months in a concentration camp. His story illustrates how Black people were systematically persecuted under the Nazi regime. Lionel Romney was born in Santo Domingo in 1912 and raised on Sint Maarten. As a young man, he signed on to a cargo ship to see the world. But his longing for freedom turned into a tragic odyssey. Caught up in the turmoil of World War II, his ship came under fire and sunk. The crew survived. But Lionel was taken prisoner by the Italians. After years in various camps, he was eventually deported to the Mauthausen concentration camp. He survived there for eleven months, before American troops liberated the camp. Decades after the war, Lionel Romney entrusted his memories to his daughter, Mary. Her journey from the Caribbean through Italy to Austria forms the framework of the film, which shines a light on a chapter of European history that has been suppressed to this day: the reality of life for Black people under National Socialism. This reality was marked by colonial continuities, racism, forced

Around 44,000 men and women are incarcerated in Germany's approximately 170 prisons. About 1,800 are serving time for murder, while most are incarcerated for assault, robbery, theft or drug-related offenses. One of them is Marcel M., serving time in Berlin's Plötzensee Prison. A repeat offender, he calls it "Stealing, stealing, stealing — all for the addiction." Marcel was living with a drug addiction, it's landed him in prison several times. He's already spent a third of his life behind bars. He wants this to be the last time. Marcel is finishing up his training in the prison's car workshop. After he's released, he wants to find a steady job. Plötzensee Prison in Berlin has space for around 650 places for male inmates. Some 250 correctional officers look after the prisoners in shifts. Helena Emisch has worked there for eight years now. She knows the prison inside and out and aims each day to strike a balance between professional distance and connecting with the inmates. Locking and unlocking cells, head counts, distributing packages, administering medication and supervising the yard before recreational

Every year, the Italian town of Viterbo honors its patron saint, Santa Rosa, with a unique procession. A 30-metre-high sculpture has traditionally been carried through the town by more than 100 men. Now, women are challenging that exclusionary custom. Viterbo is an Italian town with a centuries-old tradition. Every year, on 3 September, more than a hundred men carry the huge Macchina di Santa Rosa sculpture - standing almost 30 meters tall - through the old town. For many, this ritual is a defining part of their identity. But Viterbo is changing, and a new generation is questioning why this tradition is reserved for men. At the heart of this development is 13-year-old Stella. She was the first girl to be accepted into the Mini-Macchina club - the first step for children hoping to one day become fully-fledged Macchina bearers. Now she's preparing for her most important challenge. For the first time, she's allowed to take part in what's known as the steep stage to the Santuario di Santa Rosa, a symbolic highlight of the ritual. One of the bearers

Before the Taliban’s return, a brief hope was ignited. Could Afghanistan become a more just country? A group of Afghan women sat at the negotiating table. But after the Taliban took power in 2021, those dreams were dashed. Four women were part of an Afghan negotiating team that included representatives of the former government. They wrestled with the Taliban over the future of Afghanistan. Although it was life-threatening for them to raise their voices against the Taliban's misogynistic regime, they never gave up hope of preserving the women of Afghanistan’s hard-won rights. The team's intelligence, perseverance and bravery in the face of a hopeless situation are characteristic, when it comes to women around the world who fight for both peace and equality. But the Taliban were not interested in a democratic, free society in which girls and women have basic rights and can go to school, study or work. After decades of war and chaos, Afghanistan has become safer under the Taliban. But the price for women is high: they have paid with their freedom. ______ DW Documentary gives you

For decades, many families in India and China did not want daughters. Girls were often aborted, killed as infants, abandoned, or sold. But in recent years, things have started to change. Political decisions aimed at curbing rapid population growth in India and China, together with a widespread preference for boys for economic reasons, have led to a situation where both countries now have more men than women. Again and again, the preference for sons over daughters caused families to resort to radical measures, ranging from sex-selective abortions to infanticide, the abandonment of girls, and, in China, the sale of girls after birth. As early as 1990, Indian economist Amartya Sen, who would later win the Nobel Prize in Economics, warned that more than 100 million women were "missing" in the developing world, and especially in India and China, in the ratio to men. Today, many men in China and India are unable to find wives due to the shortage of women. That is one of the factors that has led to a shift in thinking in both countries—both in politics

More and more men are dreaming of a career as a top model. But the competition is fierce. At places like the Hamburg Model Academy, which offers a sort of crash course for aspiring models, men learn the basics. Those who really make it can earn daily rates in the four-digit range — and see themselves on giant billboards. At the Model Academy, run by Hamburg modeling agency Modelwerk, young men learn how to pose, work the camera, and stride elegantly down the runway. It's a ruthless business: Many agencies quickly weed out models who don't make an immediate impression. The industry is looking for fresh faces, preferably with experience. "We send guys who are serious about it abroad for several months first," explains Claudia Midolo, founder and head of the Modelwerk agency. In places like Turkey, Vietnam, or Mexico, they gain practical experience, earn money, and yet remain fresh for the western market. A models' reach on social media is also becoming increasingly important. Having many followers is a clear advantage when it comes to landing good jobs. ______

Over the past 10 years, climate change has displaced an average of 70,000 people, every day. This, according to figures from the UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR. Poorer countries are particularly hard hit. There is no universal legal framework that would offer these people protection. Climate-induced displacement is not recognised as a valid ground for asylum under the Geneva Convention. Now, three countries in Latin America, the Pacific and Asia are responding to an emergency that directly affects each of them. One of these countries is Bangladesh. It is one of the places most severely affected by climate change. In 2024, around 2.4 million people in Bangladesh became internally displaced. Most of them lost their homes due to a natural disaster. Cyclones and tropical storms cause devastating damage, while rising sea levels are flooding mangrove forests and agricultural land. Melting glaciers in the Himalayas are causing flooding along the rivers. In new model villages, communities displaced by soil erosion and salinization are being provided with accommodation and land. In Colombia, pressure from lawyers led to the legal recognition of the first

For some he's a hero. For others, he’s public enemy number one. Certainly, his revelations challenged US power. This film follows the WikiLeaks founder’s extraordinary life story. With the publication of thousands of secret US military and diplomatic documents in 2010, WikiLeaks ushered in a new information age. Suddenly, thanks to founder Julian Assange, state secrets were out in the open — and under scrutiny. For many journalists and activists, Assange was a pioneer who used new technologies to evade both censorship and reprisals. For others, he symbolized an openness that could bring both nation states and multinational corporations to their knees. For seven years, Assange sought refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy in London. After that, he spent five years in a British high-security prison facing US charges of espionage carrying a potential sentence of 175 years. Following a deal with the US Department of Justice, he was finally released in the summer of 2024. The film tells the story of Julian Assange and asks the question: in a world of radical change, what remains of the fight for truth?

The picturesque Bavarian Alps, beloved by mountaineers and hiking enthusiasts. But overconfidence or sudden weather changes can create emergencies. Then, mountain rescuers are the last hope. On the Blaueis ("blue ice") Glacier, a young mountaineer is in distress. Alone when a thick fog rolls in, he's unable to continue. A team from the Ramsau Mountain Rescue Service sets out immediately, but the fog becomes a problem for them as well. The mountain rescuers' keen sense of direction is put to the test: Two teams search from different directions for the man, who is likely already severely hypothermic. A hiker has fallen 40 meters in the Bavarian Alps. The air rescue team prepares to fly to the accident site using a helicopter. There's no information yet on the condition of the victim. But experience dictates that in a fall from this height, the rescuers should prepare for the worst. Both missions end well. But that is not always the case. The memory of Peter Hildebrandt, former head of operations in Ramsau, is ever-present. He fell to his death during a mission.

For over three years, Sudan has been caught up in a devastating civil war. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and their opponents, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have been accused of committing war crimes in their struggle for power. It's the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Millions of Sudanese have been forced to flee their homes; hundreds of thousands have lost their lives. The RSF's capture of the city of El-Fasher in the Darfur region in October 2025 marked one of the bloodiest chapters in this ongoing conflict. In just a few weeks, the militias are believed to have massacred over 60-thousand residents. A few of the survivors that managed to flee tell their stories in this documentary. They recount the atrocities: rapes, murders, bombardments, hunger and the death march to the displacement camp. Sudan's civil war would likely have ended already if both sides weren't being backed by foreign powers. The RSF has the support of the United Arab Emirates, who are thought to be providing its fighters with military assistance. Meanwhile, Egypt is supplying the Sudanese army with

Three men, a hydrogen balloon, and a shared dream of reaching the North Pole. In 1897, the Andrée expedition vanished without a trace. It wasn’t until 1930 that their preserved bodies, diaries, and photographs were discovered on Kvitøya. At the end of the 19th century, the North Pole was a blank spot on the map — a symbol of adventure, glory, and scientific progress. On July 11, 1897, Swedish nationals August Salomon Andrée, Nils Strindberg, and Knut Frænkel began their expedition to the North Pole. Starting from the Svalbard archipelago, north of Norway, the three set out in a hydrogen balloon. The whole world was watching; their homeland held its breath. After carrier pigeons delivered some optimistic messages, contact was suddenly lost. Thirty-three years of radio silence followed. In early August 1930, following a summer of significant ice retreat, seal hunters on the island of Kvitøya, the "White Island" in the far north of the Svalbard archipelago, stumbled upon the expedition's remains. In the snow lay well-preserved bodies, as well the group's equipment: hundreds of items, including morphine and opium

Kyrgyzstan is eroding democratic freedoms, while moving closer to Russia politically. With a feeling of dread, Jama Bekten is organizing what may be the last women's protest to defend their rights. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Kyrgyzstan was long considered a democratic outlier in Central Asia. Free elections, a vibrant civil society and independent media set the country apart from its authoritarian neighbors. But since President Sadyr Japarov came to power in 2021, press freedom and political opposition have been increasingly restricted. Critics are being prosecuted, independent media outlets are under pressure and civil society groups are being squeezed by new laws. At the same time, Kyrgyzstan is experiencing an economic boom. The government touts the country's strong growth and a doubling of the gross domestic product. But part of this boom is linked to shifting flows of trade since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Russia continues to expand its influence in Kyrgyzstan — including through the Kremlin-aligned Evrazia, also known as the Eurasia Organization, educational projects and the broadcaster Nomad TV. This documentary follows activists, journalists and scholars

The digital book club BookTok got its start during the pandemic in 2020. Today, it is a big success, used primarily by young women who are fans of a particular literary genre - so-called "New Adult,” or romance novels for young adults. The new books have striking, glossy covers, their language is easy to follow, the stories are romantic, exciting and full of eroticism from a female perspective. But young women aren't just engaging in online discussions about their favorite books. Book blogger Jess 'miss.Nerdstagram' also meets her followers in person at events like the Book Ball at Namedy Castle in Germany. Author Kim Leopold from the German town of Rheine also frequently takes to the road to be close to her fans. She's an 'own voice' author writing about her own personal experience, in stories that satisfy the hunger for authentic narratives. Topics such as mental health, body positivity and ADHD are close to her heart. Kim is nervously awaiting the release of her latest book, which ventures into new territory: the focus is no longer on a single

From hillbilly to the White House: J. D. Vance’s rise to become Trump’s vice-president is seen by many as symbolic of a worrying trend in the US that’s further polarizing society. J. D. Vance’s story is the story of an America that has long felt overlooked. An America of the white working class, marked by economic decline, the opioid crisis and the aftermath of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. An America that fears losing even the little that it still holds on to, through migration and social upheaval. J. D. Vance has undergone a remarkable transformation: from a fierce critic of Donald Trump to a loyal supporter of the MAGA movement and, ultimately, Trump’s vice-president. As far as his supporters are concerned, it is a career trajectory that gives him credibility. Critics, on the other hand, see in his politics a dynamic that could upset the political balance in the US and endanger democracy. Some already regard him as a potential contender for the presidency. ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German

An integration experiment, in the heart of Germany: Refugees move into a vacant hotel, where they receive targeted support. The aim is for them to find work or a training placement, ultimately fostering a successful integration. An empty hotel in downtown Düsseldorf is ready for a new idea. Karin Jungjohann has one - and isn’t afraid to experiment. "What do people need most, no matter where they come from? A sense of hope for the future," said Karin Jungjohann, one of the founders of the Düsseldorf language school "Hispi". For years, she had observed how refugees in accommodation centers struggle to progress in their lives. At the same time, she was being approached by restaurateurs in Düsseldorf looking for people to fill jobs in the catering industry. This gave rise to the idea for a project designed to rethink the accommodation, support and integration of refugees: the House of Friends. A film crew follows the initiator of the integration experiment from the initial selection of participants, through to their successful integration into the labor market and society. ______ DW Documentary

As Apple turns 50, this film tells the story of the tech company that revolutionized our world, along with its opportunities and downsides. Has this tool of liberation become an instrument of control? Founded 50 years ago, Apple grew from a counterculture movement into a global corporation. The film looks back at the breathtaking rise of headstrong visionary Steve Jobs, who never gave up on his dream despite fierce competition, his destructive perfectionism and even his ousting from his own company. Colleagues and companions shine light on the expertise behind Apple: designer Hartmut Esslinger created Apple's legendary 'Snow White' design language, and typographer Erik Spiekermann developed groundbreaking typefaces. People like Daniel Kottke, a former flat mate of Steve Jobs and one of the first Apple employees, share insights into the inner workings of the legendary team. Andy Cunningham, who was sacked by Jobs a total of five times, also weighs in. ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look

Ebola, COVID-19 and mpox - some of the illnesses caused by germs that jump from animals to humans. In the Central African Republic, researchers are searching for the origins of these zoonotic diseases. Frédéric Singa is a WWF veterinarian working in the Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas in the Central African Republic. He captures bats, collects samples from gorilla droppings, and talks to people with diseases to better understand which pathogens are circulating in the forest. As part of his research, Singa also plans to regularly test bushmeat sold in local markets, but to do so he needs the community to be on his side. Will he manage to convince skeptical hunters and market vendors to support his project? The samples Singa collects are analyzed in a field laboratory in the rainforest and sent abroad, including to Germany, for further testing. Professor Fabian Leendertz at the Helmholtz Institute for One Health in Greifswald, Germany researches the emergence of new infectious diseases and maps global risk areas. The connection between the rainforests of Central Africa and the health of people in Europe is

Heart disease, ADHD, mental health: When it comes to medicine, men and women often need different treatments. Yet general medicine is based on the male body. The risk of dying after a heart attack is twice as high for women as for men. ADHD often goes undiagnosed in girls. For men, mental health issues are still often considered a taboo subject: The suicide rate among men is nearly three times higher than it is among women. Yet in medical education, drug research, and everyday clinical practice, the standard patient is still imagined as male. In Frankfurt am Main, doctors want to change that. Germany’s first university-affiliated Women’s Heart Center was established there. Research and teaching on cardiovascular diseases are focused on women, and personalized therapies and preventive screenings are offered specifically for them. ADHD, on the other hand, often goes undetected in girls—and thus untreated. Author and influencer Angelina Boerger experienced this firsthand. She wasn’t diagnosed until she was 29. More than 150,000 people now follow her accounts of her daily life on her Instagram channel. Through her social media

The Amazon rainforest in Brazil is at the mercy of political interests and global greed. Arson, illegal deforestation, and organized environmental crimes have been tolerated for decades. Every year, at the end of the dry season, the Amazon is ablaze. This has not stopped under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Even though the 2025 wildfire season was less dramatic, in 2024, there were more fires than at any time in the past 20 years. The main driver behind these fires is money. The soy, gold, and beef industries generate billions — including for mayors, members of Congress, and banks. Indigenous people fighting for their homeland are threatened, while politicians stand idly by. This is a film about fire and drought, crime and responsibility. The filmmakers travel to the fire-affected areas of Porto Velho, into the heart of the rainforest. They speak with Indigenous activists fighting for their rights and with courageous scientists under police protection. The documentary shows why even protected areas are burning, and how high-ranking government officials have helped defraud the country of hundreds of millions of

Neele Buchholz is an actress and dancer. She has Down syndrome and regularly encounters barriers in the entertainment industry. Even so, she is determined to work as an independent artist. Neele Buchholz has found success in her career. She has appeared in numerous television productions, feature films, and stage performances. At an early age, she decided not to work in one of Germany's sheltered workshops for people with disabilities — the path often expected of people with Down syndrome. "I said, 'No, I don’t want that because it’s boring,'" Neele recalls. Her parents strongly supported her decision to pursue a career in dance and acting. After nine years in a permanent position with a dance theater company in Bremen, she landed a role in a successful TV series. She then took the step into freelance work. However, she does face certain challenges at castings or when learning scripts. "I need time, but they always want things done quickly, quickly, quickly," Neele says. The pressure to secure steady work and earn enough money is high. At the same time, the acting

The sensational abuse trial involving Gisèle Pelicot, as seen through her daughter’s eyes. A documentary about the harrowing reality of drug-induced sexual violence and the courage of the victims to speak out. Over a period of ten years, Gisèle Pelicot was systematically drugged by her then-husband in Mazan, in the south of France. On numerous occasions he invited men from the area to sexually assault her. Central to the film is the personal perspective of their daughter, Caroline Darian, who speaks at length for the first time about her mother’s story and her own experiences during the trial. Darian has become an important voice for victims in recent years. As a whistleblower, she draws attention to the hitherto overlooked role of substances in sexual violence - an aspect that is often neglected in criminal proceedings. Gisèle Pelicot made the decision to waive her anonymity and insist that proceedings be open to the public rather than behind closed doors, as is common for rape cases in France. This sent a major signal to society. Thanks to the close relationship of trust

Morocco's legalization of cannabis for medicinal purposes was welcomed by growers in the country. The promise of a better future, however, has yet to materialize for many small-scale farmers. Cannabis farmers in northern Morocco are under pressure from changing climate conditions, with water shortages intensifying the already fierce competition in the sector. In Azila, a village that depends entirely on the drug trade for its livelihood, farmers are allowed to cultivate cannabis but are not authorized to trade it. Here in the Rif Mountains, thousands of families rely on cannabis cultivation, but most live under precarious conditions. The most productive land, where the plants grow best, belongs to a handful of large operators who are increasingly taking control of the business. Anyone who continues to sell the crop illegally risks imprisonment. Many farmers support legalization because they hope it will enable them to live without a constant fear of prosecution. The government's legalization program, however, is progressing more slowly than expected, with fewer farmers than anticipated taking part. The push for legalization was driven by the medical uses of cannabis.

Wine consumption is declining in Europe. This poses a threat to European wine-growing regions. Winemakers in Spain and Germany are seeking a way out of the crisis by producing alcohol-free wine. Many people want to live healthier lives. As a result, alcohol consumption in Europe has declined: by a good 20 percent, over the past 20 years. It’s a trend that also impacts wine: Experts warn that nearly a third of Germany’s vineyard acreage could disappear in the coming years. Particularly affected are the labor-intensive steep slopes. These slopes produce distinctive wines, shape the cultural landscape and attract tourists. Jürgen and Luca Dahms share their love of wine. Yet their perspectives also diverge. Father Jürgen, a winemaker, stands for classic, traditional wine enjoyment, while Luca, who works in the insurance industry, has found surprising success marketing alcohol-free wines. Both see an opportunity to preserve threatened vineyards by de-alcoholizing wines. In Spain, in the historic wine region of Toro, winemaker Iván Alonso Gil is undertaking a bold experiment. His full-bodied red wines come from ancient vines. Can they still taste great

For decades, Pakistan has grappled with one crisis after another. The Kashmir conflict with India repeatedly escalates into military exchanges of fire. Economic stagnation is fueling social frustration. For decades, India and Pakistan, two South Asian nuclear-armed neighbors, have been locked in a bitter struggle over the Himalayan region of Kashmir. The Line of Control, the ceasefire line between the two powers, is considered one of the most dangerous borders in the world. But Pakistan's challenges do not come only from outside: radical Islamists in parts of the country continue to launch attacks on security forces and civilians. Some Islamist clerics even call on their followers to oppose the Pakistani state. The Pakistani military has launched several operations to quell the unrest. Of Pakistan's 240 million people, 47 percent are under the age of 18. Yet, economic stagnation and a weak education system are fueling frustration among the country’s young and rapidly growing population. Against this backdrop, the military has considerably expanded its influence in what political analysts say is a "hybrid" system of governance with elected civilian representatives. The

For almost 120 years, the "Circumetnea” narrow-gauge railway has been circling Europe’s highest volcano. The train travels through impressive lava landscapes and vegetation zones, as well as two nature parks, with the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Mount Etna always in view. At the foot of Mount Etna, amidst black rocks and prickly pears, the narrow-gauge railway winds its way through rocky wastelands, wooded areas and lush green hills. Lava eruptions have meant the railway line has had to be rebuilt many times over the years, most recently in 1981. Mount Etna, standing at 3,352 meters, is Europe’s most active volcano. Most eruptions affect mainly the immediate vicinity of the crater; they rarely pose a threat to people or animals. However, violent eruptions do occur from time to time. Then, volcano spews clouds of ash and chunks of rock kilometers into the atmosphere, and lava flows make their way down into the valley. Following the closure of the railway network in Sicily, the Circumetnea Railway is the island’s last remaining narrow-gauge railway. The journey from Catania to the terminus at

"Inside the AfD" looks behind the respectable facade of the Alternative for Germany political party. Insiders reveal the tough tactics used by the right-wing populists to combat criticism. Within the party, dissenters are systematically brought into line, while political opponents are labeled "troublemakers." Criticism is rigorously suppressed, and those with differing views are excluded. To understand the methods the AfD uses to pursue its goals, and how these can lead to deep division within communities, the filmmakers travel to a village in southwestern Germany. Residents share their experiences of targeted attempts at intimidation, while the investigative report provides deep insights into the structures of right-wing populist networks in southwestern Germany. These networks are representative of many communities across Germany in 2026. ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.

Germany is one of the most important destination countries for counterfeit goods in Europe. The trade in counterfeit goods is booming—especially in clothing and accessories. But most dangerous of all are counterfeit medications. The trade in fake medications has become extremely lucrative. In some cases, it is even more profitable than the drug trade. This investigative documentary traces the paths of counterfeit brand-name products and medications, uncovers production facilities, and exposes the criminal networks behind them. Laboratory tests show that counterfeit medications can be harmful to consumers’ health. In some cases, they can even be life-threatening. ______ DW Documentary gives you knowledge beyond the headlines. Watch top documentaries from German broadcasters and international production companies. Meet intriguing people, travel to distant lands, get a look behind the complexities of daily life and build a deeper understanding of current affairs and global events. Subscribe and explore the world around you with DW Documentary.