Investigate Asia

Having Fun in Pyongyang | Investigate Asia By looking beyond the regime and focusing on the people themselves, this film explores what life is really like inside one of the world's most secretive countries. North Korea is often portrayed as a land of missiles, military parades and totalitarian control. But beyond the propaganda lies a society of 26 million people living ordinary lives. This documentary offers a rare glimpse into the daily reality of North Koreans, far from the stereotypes that dominate international headlines. Following people at work, at home and in their communities, it reveals a world that is at times surprising, humorous and deeply human. This documentary first aired in 2019. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast

Modi’s India: Democracy or Dictatorship? | Investigate Asia India under Modi: The Rise of Fascism in the World's Largest Democracy | Investigate Asia He has been dubbed an ultranationalistic dictator who is dividing the country. His controversial ‘anti-muslim’ citizenship reforms have deprived millions of people of their rights, and any criticism of his government is quickly silenced. But what shaped Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s political view and ideology? In this film, we gained access to the secret RSS movement, a powerful faction promoting the rise of Hindu nationalism, and investigate what is happening to Gandhi’s dream of a united nation. Formed in the 1920s and inspired by extreme right-wing organizations like the German Nazi Party, the RSS movement promotes India as an exclusively Hindu nation. It runs training camps for children aged 3 to 15, where Formed in the 1920s and inspired by extreme right-wing organizations like the German Nazi party, the RSS movement runs training camps for children where they are taught to fear and hate Muslims. It’s here that most members of the ruling BJP underwent basic training.

Tricked into Surgery: India’s Hysterectomy Scandal | Investigate Asia In India, the average age of women having a hysterectomy is just 34. Many are a lot younger. Thousands of women are being tricked into expensive and unnecessary operations to remove their wombs by unscrupulous private doctors. As well as leaving their families burdened with heavy debt, the operations push the women into early menopause, often leaving them weak and unable to work. In the sugar growing region of Beed, one in three women have had their wombs removed. Many of them, like Prabarvati, went to the doctor with period pain, backaches or bladder infections and were told they had cancer and the only solution was an urgent hysterectomy. She was 26 when she had the operation. Years later, she suffers from crippling pain and appears decades older. Her daughter had to stop going to school and start working the cane plantations to help the family survive. Other women were pushed into having the operation by cane cutting contractors, who are reluctant to hire women who menstruate. There is a belief

Red Zones - World’s Toughest Places | Myanmar Civil War | Investigate Asia In the remote hills of Karenni—Myanmar’s smallest ethnic state—a new generation of ordinary youth is abandoning civilian life to join the armed resistance against a brutal, decades-old military regime. Lacking formal military backgrounds, these tech-savvy young men and women are transforming into guerrilla fighters under the banner of groups like the Karenni Nationalities Defence Force (KNDF).To counter a much larger, better-equipped army, these insurgents rely on irregular warfare, strict organization, and clandestine smuggling networks to transport vital weapons and medical supplies past military blockades. This film explores their high-stakes journey into modern guerrilla warfare, questioning how long this resourceful, idealistic army can survive the harsh jungle elements and makeshift weaponry. A Quintus Original Production ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand

Love and Sex in India | Investigate Asia It’s the birthplace of the Kama Sutra and Bollywood romances but in real life, kissing in the street or just talking about sex in India is considered obscene. In a place where 90% of marriages are arranged and the bride’s family must pay a large dowry, young girls are taught that society considers them a burden. Millions of baby girls are abandoned or illegally aborted. A series of brutal rapes and murders have led to claims of a ‘rape culture’ in India. We investigate the role of India’s system of castes and customs and hear from a lawyer who defends parents who have murdered their children in ‘honour’ crimes. We also meet openly gay Prince Manvendra who fights for his love and for his society to become more accepting and educated in a country where homosexuality is illegal. From forbidden love stories to arranged marriages and spectacular weddings where the bride and groom only just met, we follow the epic stories of young couples in India. This documentary first aired 2018 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Istanbul: The Two Faces of Turkey | Investigate Asia Is Istanbul still Turkey’s most European city? The only city in the world to straddle two continents, sometimes conservative, sometimes ultra-modern, the city of a thousand faces has thousands of stories to tell. In his 20 years in power, President Erdogan has changed the culture of the country. He has financed dozens of historical TV series, which glorify the Ottoman Empire and are a hit on public television. In the country’s cultural capital, bars and nightclubs are gradually being replaced by oriental pastry stores, shopping malls dedicated to Islamic fashions have emerged and provocative artists are closely monitored. The authorities are focusing on tourism from the Middle East rather than European visitors. But many people refuse to be silenced. Singer Aisu, who is so provocative she has trouble finding radio stations willing to play her songs, now reaches her audience via social media. Meanwhile satirical cartoonist, Tunay, who has seen his friends imprisoned, continues to depict Erdogan as an old sultan. This documentary first aired in July 2024. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬

Dirty Deals in Pattaya: The Dark Side of Sex Tourism in Thailand | Investigate Asia In 2023, Luck Films reported on the ways paedophiles were exploiting post-COVID poverty in Thailand to abuse children. In this documentary, we return to the place where it all began, checking in with stories that have continued since the first film aired and examining whether any real reform is happening – or is even on the horizon. Luck Films uncovered the case of a German suspect arrested for child abuse in Pattaya who was able to flee to Germany by paying a bribe. After the film aired, Frankfurt prosecutors took him into custody. He admitted on camera to taking a minor to his room “to have sex” but denied any abuse. The revelations sparked political outrage in Thailand, leading to a government inquiry. However, it remains to be seen whether tangible reforms will be implemented. Despite TUI removing Pattaya hotels from its program, this follow-up film – Dirty Deals in Pattaya – reveals how child exploitation still persists in luxury hotels. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome

China Dissidents | Investigate Asia From harassing relatives back home to disrupting protests and spying on critics in other countries, China is one of the most aggressive governments in targeting dissidents abroad. We follow three dissidents in America as they continue their fight for democracy. Juntao Wang, a primary organiser of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests and one of the world’s most renowned Chinese dissidents, has led the Democratic Party of China for more than a decade from its New York headquarters. But, wherever he goes, pro-Beijing mobs often follow. While showing support for Taiwan’s democracy, his group is violently attacked. Artist Weiming Chen, who criticises the Chinese government through his sculptures, has been spied on and had his work burned down. Meanwhile, asylum seeker Chunyan Wang, forced into exile after her house was appropriated by the Chinese government, is constantly surveilled. She takes her protest directly to the Chinese Vice Premier during US-China trade talks. But her attempts to hand him a petition lead to her being arrested and tried for a criminal conviction, facing ten years in prison

Tokyo by Night: Secret Japan | Investigate Asia Hyperactive and frenetic by day, Tokyo transforms by night, revealing a totally different side of Japanese society. We come across eccentric characters who speak of a Japan that is mysterious and inaccessible to foreigners. A world where traditions are expressed but so are the flaws and failings of Japanese society. In Kabukicho, the capital’s red-light district, the latest trend is “hosts” clubs. Here, young men are paid to keep customers company and to flirt with them. The one rule: no sex! An astonishing business born from the immense loneliness experienced by the Japanese. The job may be lucrative, but the young hosts are worn down by the night-shifts and the astronomical quantities of alcohol they guzzle down each night. Equally disconcerting for Westerners, the phenomenon of “Idols” sees hundreds of groups of very sexy singers and dancers idealised by the Japanese. They view them as their virtual girlfriends. Asuka is one of Tokyo’s most respected nightlife personalities. She is ‘Mama-San’, an heiress to the Geisha tradition. She runs the city’s most exclusive

Love and Sex in Japan | Investigate Asia In the land of the Rising Sun, love and relationships are in danger. A quarter of all Japanese aged 30 to 40 are virgins and 50% of the population admits to not having sex regularly. Unsurprisingly, this has led to birth rates plummeting. 30% of Japan’s population could disappear by 2060. But what are the reasons for this detachment from the world of love and sex? Tough jobs, stress, money problems… not exactly an ideal environment for finding love. The country has developed a unique industry from this phenomenon, with the trend of ‘solo weddings’ emerging: young women in wedding dresses pose in front of the camera for their big day… except, they’re not actually marrying anyone. Paradoxically, Japan is also one of the largest producers of porn movies in the world, with many men seeming to prefer manga heroines to women their age. As Japanese men and women slowly lose the skill of connecting, courses are flourishing teaching the art of seduction. Documentary first aired 2016 ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to

Turkmenistan: The World's Strangest Dictatorship | Investigate Asia Since 1991, Turkmenistan has been ruled by an equally bizarre and ruthless dictatorship. Much like North Korea, the heads of state wield absolute power and have the freedom to act on a whim. The Berdymukhamedov family has ruled Turkmenistan for two generations. The capital, Ashgabat, is a monument to megalomania and is listed as the world’s most expensive city. Every one of its buildings is constructed entirely of white marble and only white cars are allowed on its pristine, deserted streets. The city holds the record for the largest star-shaped building, the largest horse-shaped stadium and the highest concentration of fountains. Turkmenistan is famous for its countless absurd rules. There is a compulsory 11pm curfew and the country is scattered with museums and immense golden statues glorifying the Berdymukhamedov regime. The dictator delights in singing songs that he himself has composed praising the country. He also enjoys administering justice in public, like on national TV, where he humiliates and sentences ministers accused of corruption. To uncover the secrets of this reclusive dictatorship

India under Modi: The New Hindu Superpower | Investigate Asia What if the next world superpower was India, not China? With its 1.4 billion inhabitants, India is already the most populous country in the world. Under the leadership of Narendra Modi, India has embraced both ultra-productivity and ultra-nationalism. Everything that happens in the world happens in India on a much larger scale. In the past decade, Modi has transformed and reshaped the country: for the better according to his supporters, for the worse according to his opponents. India is now the fifth largest economy in the world and has democratized access to technology. No one can deny the scale of the country’s social, political and cultural transformation. Slowly but surely, Modi is positioning India as a counter- balance to the West. He has silenced his opponents, rewritten the national narrative to the point of erasing whole swathes of its own history and created a new apartheid. But India, which often seems so distant and far removed from our preoccupations, has also become the magnifying glass of global challenges. The strategic

Asia Exposed: Final Journey | Investigate Asia A wedding photographer leaves behind the world of joyful beginnings and travels to Varanasi, India—one of Hinduism’s holiest cities—to confront death through his lens. Along the banks of the Ganges, amid sacred cremation fires and ancient rituals, Edwin Lei meets Hari Priya, an elderly woman who has spent decades preparing for moksha: liberation from the cycle of life and death. What begins as an unsettling encounter with mortality becomes a powerful journey about faith, acceptance, and the unexpected ways death can become a celebration of life. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.

Kim Dynasty A Family Affair: The Submission Game | Investigate Asia In the geopolitics of our time, North Korea takes center stage. It is at the top of the international agenda of the great powers because of its strategy of constant threats carried out by three successive generations of the ruling family. With the help of leading experts, including former Pyongyang regime officials, this film seeks to uncover North Korea's ultimate plan, its goal, and the length it is ready to go to achieve it. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.

Asia Exposed: FOOD FOR THOUGHT | Investigate Asia A fine-dining food photographer wants to go back to capturing the meaning of edibles as a basic necessity. He seeks answers in Indonesia, where poverty-stricken families feed on leftovers and hunt for food within the waste landfill of Bantar Gebang. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ Welcome to Investigate Asia - Explore the diverse landscapes of Asia through in-depth documentaries that delve into the region's politics, economy, culture, and history. From ancient traditions to modern innovations, our content offers a unique perspective on the forces shaping Asia today. Join us on a journey to better understand one of the world’s most dynamic and influential regions. Whether you're a history enthusiast or curious about global affairs, this channel is your gateway to discovering Asia.