DW Documentaries

Ai Weiwei is a global star and an enigma. DW followed him for a year for this intimate portrait. The film shows Ai Weiwei at home, at work, and on the road for work, as he prepares his latest series of works focused on refugees and their fates.

Cyborgs are no longer just characters in science fiction movies. They live among us. Technology has developed to make life easier, but is there a bad side? Some humans have implanted devices in their skull to sharpen their senses and become cyborgs. Others have planted magnets in their fingers, or chips underneath their skin to open doors. Gimmickry - or are these the pioneers of some brave new world? Some people are now taking the next step: Cyborgs or human machines that integrate technology into their bodies to enhance their abilities and expand their senses. Who are these people? And what drives them? Oliver Waack-Jürgensen from Berlin is one of them. He suffers from a bone disease and has two artificial knees and an artificial hip and will be getting another new hip soon: So far, so normal. But the new hip will be able to do more than the old conventional one: recharge a mobile phone wirelessly from its kinetic energy, for example, or measure and analyze body data and save and transfer it via Bluetooth. It may even host a free router: WLAN from the hip. Neil Harbisson is already one step ahead. The Briton is the world's first officially recognized cyborg. He is color-blind and can only perceive the world in shades of grey. However, the "Eyeborg,” an antenna in his head, allows him to hear colors. A sensor scans the colors in Neil's field of vision and then a chip in his head converts them into sounds. Each color has its own individual sound in his ears. Not only can Neil cannot hear the spectrum of colors visible to us, he can also perceive ultraviolet and infrared waves. Neil Harbisson is a co-founder of the Cyborg Foundation - an international organization that helps people become cyborgs. But at what price - and where are the limits? Are we losing our humanity? What would happen to society if some people had superhuman abilities? Whatever the answer, technology is already getting closer to us than we could ever have imagined - in some cases even under our

Artist Gustav Klimt was a revolutionary, an overrated decorative painter and pornographer. Today his artworks are some of the most expensive of all time. Gustav Klimt was one of the most important Art Nouveau painters and enfant terrible of Austria’s conservative middle class. His opulent portraits of women caused a stir in the early 1900s. As co-founder of the Vienna Secession, he helped revolutionize art history. Opposing the historicism of contemporary art, he employed a frivolous sensuality that many of his contemporaries found highly uncomfortable. At the dawn of the twentieth century, Vienna, more than any other European city, embodied the spirit of a cozy society in which art was to be innocent and adapted to the prevailing conditions of the imperial age. Like a number of other well-known artists that did not conform, Klimt’s art was subjected to scorn and hostility and it took almost half a century after his death for his greatness to be finally recognized in France and Germany. His themes reflect the great existential questions of life and death, joy, fear and birth. And he repeatedly returns to an exploration of the myth of woman in his ornamental works.

The New Silk Road is one of the most ambitious undertakings by far to be put forward by the Chinese president Xi Jinping. The goal of this gigantic project is the construction of a transport link between Asia and Europe: 10,000 kilometers of road, a railway freight line and a shipping route are to run from western China to Europe via Kazakhstan, the Urals and Moscow. Since the start of the 21st century China has become the most important export nation on the global stage. But in light of increasing tensions in the South China Sea and the threat from North Korea, it’s becoming more and more important for China to open up alternative trade routes. As a result the country has turned its gaze westward, to central Asia with its many resources and to Europe, which is still its most important trading partner. The New Silk Road is intended to connect China to Europe via Kazakhstan and Russia over a distance of 10,000 kilometers. The construction of the road with the parallel railway line has already begun in Chongqing, a megacity in the country’s interior that’s just one example of the economic boom of the past thirty years. The products made here will, it’s hoped, reach European customers effortlessly in a few years’ time. But it’s not just China’s exporters who hope to benefit from this infrastructure project. Rural regions in the west of the country should also see a boost. There’s the province of Xinjiang for example, which has seen little of the economic growth of recent years. But China’s ambitions go beyond its national borders. The planned New Silk Road runs past rich oil fields as it goes through Kazakhstan. The extraction of oil is to be ramped up, thereby securing China’s growing need for energy. By extending the route all the way to the edge of the Urals, Beijing can get all the way to Russia. But it’s not certain whether the former big brother will welcome the expansion of China’s sphere of influence all the way to central Asia and Europ

For years, the Arctic ice has been retreating, releasing valuable raw materials. The states adjoining the Artic Ocean are interested in the resources and the race to obtain them is on. But the consequences for humans and animals there are dramatic. DocFilm The fight for the Arctic For years, the Arctic ice has been retreating, releasing valuable raw materials. The states adjoining the Artic Ocean are interested in the resources and the race to obtain them is on. But the consequences for humans and animals there are dramatic. Watch video 26:25 The fight for the Arctic’s resources is coming to a head. The states adjoining the Arctic Ocean are positioning themselves, scouting out the land and securing the best sites for getting their hands on the raw materials. Russia already has an ultra-modern nuclear-powered icebreaker in operation. The Norwegian company Statoil is conducting test drilling with its cutting-edge rig "Songa Enabler,” which was designed especially for the Arctic; it’s the most northerly drilling operation in the world. Norway hopes to discover vast natural wealth in the Arctic. But the borders in the Arctic have not yet been set, and a war over resources is always a distinct danger. For the animals of the Arctic, including seals and polar bears, the melting sea ice is also having drastic consequences. They’re losing their habitats and their search for food is becoming increasingly difficult. In addition, the rubbish that is piling up in the Arctic only degrades very slowly and it’s poisoning the animals. Seabirds and whales are dying because they can’t digest the plastic in their stomachs. International fishing fleets are the main culprits when it comes to rubbish in the Arctic. The ice used to be a natural barrier. Now the trawlers can penetrate further and further into the icy ocean and, as a result, catch greater quantities of fish. Overfishing is almost inevitable. Furthermore the huge trawl nets used by the industrial fis

Science fiction or reality? Researchers are trying to create an artificial brain that emulates the human mind. What is the future of mind uploading and AI? We are all familiar with science fiction films featuring mad researchers who breathe life into machines. Is this futuristic vision already becoming reality? This documentary sheds light on a massive research effort of neuroscientists and roboticists. The Space Race was yesterday. The big challenge today is the creation of an artificial brain. From simple molecules to complex networks of neurons - the cartography of the human brain has begun. The goal pursued by scientists and experts around the world is to emulate the human brain. But the consortiums of researchers are as varied as their motivations. Most scientists are primarily concerned with understanding the brain, one of the last great mysteries, and using the new insights to develop advanced treatments for neurological diseases. But among those involved in the race for the artificial brain are transhumanists looking for ways of making people immortal through technology. Internet giant Google wants to know how artificial intelligence interacts with the world and learns autonomously. Can the human brain be replaced by a machine? It would have to take on the function of 100 billion neurons interconnected in a highly complex network. And suppose the search for an artificial brain were to succeed - would it provide digital immortality to a handful of eccentric billionaires? This documentary accompanies a number of researchers who are working toward this science fiction vision with practically inexhaustible funds - and with lots of science and ever less fiction.

Cologne Cathedral on the Rhine is one of the tallest churches in the world. Germany's most-visited landmark hosts royalty, politicians and celebrities. In the course of its history Cologne's majestic cathedral (known in German as 'Der Kölner Dom') has repeatedly been used for political and commercial ends. The documentary shows how the gentle giant has always retained its dignity. Home to one of the largest church treasuries in Germany, even today the cathedral continues to play an important role in the city's economic life. It attracts 20,000 visitors a day and its silhouette is used to promote the sale of all manner of products and souvenirs, from bottle openers to cookie cutters. As a powerful and distinctive symbol, it is also used to ensure publicity; the cathedral has seen environmental activists chaining themselves to scaffolding around its spires and a feminist protester appearing topless during a Christmas mass, while skaters and buskers also use the cathedral square for performances. The cathedral provides a backdrop for heads of state, international music stars and party events, but is exposed on a daily basis to wear and tear - from vandalism, street urination and the weather. The maintenance bill alone runs to around €20,000 a day. There have even been break-ins - the most spectacular being the Cathedral treasure robbery in 1975, described in the documentary by former public prosecutor Maria Therese Mösch. And one thing is certain: Cologne Cathedral and its powerful cardinals will always play a key role in Germany’s Catholic church.

Dust Storm looks at the growing menace created by this increasingly common phenomenon, which threatens both the environment and human health. Up to five billion tons of dust and sand blow around the earth each year: Dust Storm looks at the growing menace created by this increasingly common phenomenon, which threatens both the environment and human health. Governments are working feverishly on early warning systems and measures to protect their citizens. The Middle East, with its vast deserts, is particularly prone to dust and sandstorms. But the phenomenon is also becoming increasingly common in North America, Europe and Asia. The documentary explores the causes of dust storms and shows why they are becoming stronger and more frequent. Climate change in particular plays a major role. Scientists and politicians have been working closely together for a long time to protect people and infrastructure. Dust storms pose an extreme health risk, and the only real protection is to seek cover. But early warning systems don’t always sound the alarm in time. This documentary shows what protective measures can already be taken today and which ones experts are now working on.

In Bangladesh headlines are dominated by violence: Secular bloggers murdered by extremists, opponents of the government disappear, the Hindu minority is under attack. Why is Bangladesh finding it harder and harder to reconcile democracy and religion?

A new generation of Israelis and Germans is showing that reconciliation really is possible, even though – more than 70 years after the Holocaust – Germany still contends with anti-Semitism and anti-Jewish attacks.

The Spanish enclave of Melilla lives from the trade of second-hand goods. Carried on the shoulders of Moroccan women, these goods cross Europe's southernmost border. It’s a lucrative business for the traders, but inhumane work for the carriers.

What is life like in Raqqa today? In October 2017, the northern Syrian city was liberated from the rule of the so-called Islamic State, or IS.

Almost everything in the Chinese megacity of Shanghai is bigger and faster than anywhere else. Shanghai has the world’s biggest port and the longest underground railway system. Its skyline is soaring to ever-new heights. How can its 24 million inhabitants keep up? A driving force behind China’s rapid change, Shanghai is a city of superlatives and eventful history. The documentary follows people there through their everyday lives. Li Langbin is a dock worker; Li Yinfeng a security officer in the subway; and 25-year-old Dai Meng a singer rising to fame. These are some of the faces behind this dynamic metropolis. Entrepreneurs from all over the world also see the potential here in Shanghai. David Li has returned from the USA to launch a cutting edge start-up for autonomous driving. The skyscrapers in the Pudong district are a symbol of China's burgeoning economic growth. Not far away, old districts that still bear the traces of European colonialism, Japanese occupation and Mao's Cultural Revolution are disappearing. We meet people like Mr. Xi, who is opposed to this wave of modernization and refuses to leave his 100-year-old Shikumen house, even though most of his neighbors have already gone. Shanghai’s breakneck pace affects everything and everyone.

With his pamphlets, Stéphane Hessel became an icon for youth culture in Europe and North Africa even in old age. He addressed issues such as rebellion against injustice, environmental destruction and the fight for human rights. Why was he so popular?

Lisbon, Portugal’s "White City", is an old multifaceted European city. The metropolis has experienced many periods of prosperity and has survived equally many crises. But what makes Lisbon so attractive today – especially among young people?

Countless Palestinians were forced to leave their homes after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. What Jewish Israelis celebrate as their declaration of independence, Palestinians call "Nakba" - catastrophe. Today they hope to one day rebuild their villages.

Charlemagne was one of the most powerful kings in world history and is widely regarded as the "Father of Europe." In 800, he became the first western European ruler to be crowned emperor in Rome. But who was Charlemagne really?

Otto the Great is regarded as the progenitor of Germany and German history begins with him. During his reign, the four main tribes on German territory began to see themselves as having a collective fate. But opponents made Otto's life difficult.

The Five Star Movement celebrated an historic victory in the Italian parliamentary elections. In tough coalition talks, top candidate Luigi di Maio has been under consideration for the job as prime minister. But what does the movement stand for?

In the Middle Ages, Friedrich I, also called "Barbarossa", was regarded as a brilliant ruler who fought for the "honor of the empire." Barbarossa's reign coincided with the crusades and the great age of chivalry. His life was full of ups and downs.

There is growing demand in the western world for organic food and consumers are prepared to pay a significant premium for it. But do consumers always get what it says on the label? How can authenticity be verified?

How did Martin Luther, a simple monk, become a key figure in history in the 15th century? Born into a world governed by the Roman Church and a distant emperor, Luther managed to unite and divide Germans. His message changed the world.

After the Thirty Years' War, there was a dramatic rivalry between two monarchs: the Prussian King Frederick II and the only female ruler of the House of Habsburg Maria Theresa. Only after making peace did both powers begin to flourish culturally.

The pages of a school exercise book contain the brave testimonies of 300 Central African women who suffered war atrocities. The notebook details the crimes committed by Congolese mercenaries in 2002. What does life look like for the victims today?

Prussia's Prime Minister Otto von Bismarck paved the way for the first German nation-state. For the first, the Germans were united in a single state with a single capital: Berlin. Bismarck became the Chancellor of the new German Empire.

Travel could be changing. The Hyperloop is a capsule that is supposed to glide through a steel tube at 1200 kilometers an hour. Travel has always been a dream of humankind: to reach distant places or foreign countries in the shortest possible time. Even today, roads and rails are overloaded and resources are scarce. The most innovative idea for a solution is the Hyperloop. This is a capsule that is supposed to glide through a steel tube at 1200 kilometers an hour. Will we travel from Berlin to Paris in less than an hour? Los Angeles, the city of dreams, is the birthplace of a vision that could revolutionize travel. The Hyperloop is a rail moving at the speed of sound, 1,200 kilometers per hour, through a vacuum tube. The idea came from the billionaire Elon Musk. An international competition is intended to push the concept forward. A team from Munich has also been working on it. Students from the Technical University are determined to be part of the mobility of tomorrow. In the future, the desire for mobility is expected to increase. More and more people are traveling longer distances, but the existing infrastructure was not designed for such a mobile society. Is the Hyperloop - which travels as fast as sound - the solution to our traffic problems? Innovative technology has already been tried out in Germany. In the 1980s, the Transrapid monorail reached speeds surpassing today’s ICE and TGV. However, an accident resulting in 23 deaths on the test track in Emsland in 2006 put an end to its development in Germany. Does a new concept such as the Hyperloop stand a chance - or will we ultimately be left with that most durable of all means of transport, the car? Autonomous, self-propelled vehicles are designed to help make our mobility safer, but they may also bring new dangers. The first serious accident involving a self-driving car claimed a life. Nevertheless, digitalization is seen by many as the key to controlling motor traffic in the future.

Racism and assaults on foreigners did not fit with Communist East Germany's own self-image at all. Nevertheless, foreign contract workers were repeatedly hounded and subjected to violent attacks. Many of these crimes remain unsolved today.

As Afghanistan becomes increasingly dangerous, more international aid workers are withdrawing. But there are still some people in the country who refuse to give up.

Zero interest, exploding real estate prices and a rising stock market – the rich are getting richer. But what dangers does the global financial system pose to average citizens? Is the world facing a new financial crisis?

12,000 years ago, humans shifted from the nomadic lifestyle to the more settled life of farmers. The Stone Age produced monumental buildings made of stone blocks weighing tons. A trip back in time to an important period of human history.

How were our ancestors capable of building gigantic structures like burial mounds and stone rings, given that the technical possibilities of the Stone Age were still very simple? Archaeologists give us a deep insight into the history of humankind.

After more than five years, one of the most complex trials in post-war German history is coming to an end – the trial against the neo-Nazi NSU. Much of the trial focused on Beate Zschäpe. What role did the defendant and her associates play?

Museums have become the new cultural prestige objects – especially in the United Arab Emirates. The challenge of producing the world's biggest and most beautiful museum has taken on a new dimension. Hundreds of millions of Euros are being invested.

The Soviet Union succeeded in launching the first manmade Earth satellite into orbit in 1957. The world reacted with fear and fascination at the idea of exploring space. A look at the myths and realities of the first Sputnik expedition into space.

With its hula dancers, cool surfer dudes and white, sandy beaches: Hawaii is the place to go. Millions of tourists visit the archipelago in search of South Pacific paradise and "Aloha" - the breath of life. What is life really like on these islands?

Experts have long warned of an evolution in the world of cybercrime. Cyber attacks are increasing in frequency and scope. Financial markets, trade secrets and foreign government networks are all at stake. But is the fear of cyber attacks justified?

Philip Spenner spent his youth on the streets of Nairobi. Violence, fear, hunger and homelessness were daily obstacles. A donor from Hamburg made it possible for him to attend school. Today Philip Spenner is a high school teacher in Germany.

The wave of optimism that accompanied Poland's accession to the EU in 2004 is now a distant memory. What explains the extreme shift in Poland? What is the motivation behind Jaroslaw Kaczynski's drastic changes? And what is the impact of his policies?

Rendani Nethengwe is one of the most experienced rangers in South Africa's Kruger National Park and responsible for the protection of the animals. He sometimes fights poachers who ruthlessly slaughter elephants for their ivory tusks.

Karl Lagerfeld - the man behind the brand or the brand behind the man? Almost everyone knows who he is and where his talents lie but does anyone really know the man behind the sunglasses? A rare insight into the life of a fashion icon.

Colonia Dignidad, one of the darkest chapters in Chilean - and German history. For 20 years Winfried Hempel was trapped in the sect, an isolated world in which he had to endure slavery and torture. His struggle for justice.

Is free trade fair? What trickery, threats and deception take place when it comes to global trade? The documentary not only takes a look at the role of US President Trump and economic powerhouse China, but also the role of the European Union.

The world’s insatiable demand for chocolate is fueling poverty and environmental degradation. This report explores how a blend of fair working conditions and sustainable farming in Africa can deliver chocolate that leaves no bitter aftertaste.

Today modern archaeology often works with digital technology. Geophysics has allowed thousands of ancient sites to be located - a huge gain for science. The dig is no longer the be-all and end-all of archeology. We accompany some archeologists on their journey into the virtual past. Geophysics comprises a range of techniques with various geological and military functions. Geomagnetism is used to locate enemy submarines or potential reserves of oil or other minerals. Now, German and Irish archeologists have teamed up to use it to trace prehistoric grave systems. Researchers in western Germany are applying it to locate ancient procession and pilgrimage routes. Shipping archeologists in Bremerhaven are availing of digital technology to create virtual models of shipwrecks and, in Berlin, archeologists and game designers have also embarked on a joint project. As luck would have it, they scanned every millimeter of a temple in the Syrian city of Aleppo, not suspecting that, soon afterwards, the complex would be largely destroyed in the country’s civil war. Their virtual model is evidence that the study of the past can have uses for the present, just as technologies of the present can help us to study the past.

Today modern archaeology often works with digital technology. Geophysics has allowed thousands of ancient sites to be located without resort to a shovel - a huge gain for science. Discover new insights from a journey into the virtual past.

Spain's Mar Menor is Europe's largest saltwater lagoon but it is under threat from industrial farming in the region. The local residents and fishermen are taking on the agricultural lobby to try and stop the destruction of this natural paradise.

Soil is the foundation of nature, environment and food. Soil is full of life, of which most people know little about. But mismanagement is threatening world food supplies. The consequences are desertification and contamination. Is disaster looming?

The German and French armed forces are facing challenges due to foreign deployment. Both have to struggle with a lack of personnel and financial problems. Outsourcing and privatization are the solution - but at what price?

For 30 years, a brutal war between Catholics and Protestants raged in Central Europe. Power, intrigue, secret treaties and shady deals were at the center. In 1648, the bloody conflict was finally brought to an end by the Peace of Westphalia.

Even 23 years after the end of the war, Bosnia's population has to live amongst deadly minefields. Mine clearer, Davor Kolenda, thinks it’s a disgrace. Kolenda and his team are fighting for a mine-free Bosnia-Herzegovina – often risking their lives.

External companies have long been supplying armed forces with equipment as well as know-how and personnel. But just how privatized are defense forces in Europe and what could the impacts of connecting the worlds of military and business be?

Brutal soldiers and marauding mercenaries turned Central Europe into a battlefield in 1618. Almost all the major European powers had a hand in the war. The peace negotiations lasted five years and signaled the beginnings of modern diplomacy.

West Virginia, USA - under its wild mountain idyll hides the "black hell": A labyrinth of tunnels just one meter high, in which miners still spend their entire working days toiling in the dark on their hands and knees. Hard life in a coal mine.

Fear has returned to Europe. Jewish people are afraid of attacks in the street. This documentary explores the causes of this new wave of anti-Semitism in Germany and in neighboring Poland and France.

Singapore, the small city-state in Southeast Asia, has always been a country of immigration – and is one of the richest countries in the world. People of different ethnicities, religions and cultures live peacefully side by side.

Cashless payments are on the rise around the world. They are fast, easy and convenient. But who benefits from digital payment systems? What happens to our financial data? Are consumers losing some of their freedom as a result?

Korea’s education system is ruled by competition. With suicide being the No.1 cause of death among teenagers, it’s been argued the system produces overachieving students who pay a high price in health and happiness. Digitization could bring about a change to Korea’s overheated education system.

In January 1616, the Dutch navigator Willem Cornelisz Schouten, discovered the southern tip of South America. 400 years later, adventurer Arved Fuchs sets out to make the journey around Cape Horn on a traditional fishing boat.

The torture victims of the Syrian regime fear being forgotten. Survivors of the jails are now fighting for justice in Germany. The principle of 'universal jurisdiction' could allow crimes against humanity in Syria to be prosecuted in foreign courts.

For decades in the West, Libya was practically synonymous with Muammar Gaddafi. But since the revolution there and the NATO deployment in 2011, images of civil war and chaos are more common. Are hopes of a democratic new beginning doomed to fail?

Everything we do in the digital world involves data. The bits and bytes can serve our interests or be used against us. But without digital trust there can be no digital business. How do startups deal with personal data and cybersecurity?

Four refugees are torn between Syria and Europe – torn between the safety of their places of refuge and news they receive from friends and family back in Syria. Through these messages, the film offers an intimate insight into life in war-torn Syria.

This film could turn our image of Africa upside down: mobile payments in remote villages, drones monitoring harvests, 3D printers that deliver spare parts and reduce electronic waste, and robots that direct traffic. Creative start-ups, from Nairobi to Kumasi, are developing technical innovations that are inspiring the world.

The 2008 financial crisis spread distrust in banks and sped up the acceptance of new kinds of money. Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin now promise to provide transparent, democratic alternatives. Startups in the Philippines are disrupting old structures.

Forests are so much more than just exploitable land; they can also be a place of healing. An increasing number of doctors and scientists agree forests can have positive health effects, such as alleviating hypertension, depression and stress.

The Allied occupation of Strasbourg on November 23, 1944, spelled the end of the Reich University. Most professors had fled, but Johannes Stein, Dean of the Medical Faculty, stayed on. What did he know about the crimes of the National Socialists?

Refugees Amjad, Omar, Zena and Shahinaz are living in Münster, Saarbrücken, Ahrweiler and Lausanne. However, they are not entirely present in their new homes. Every day they receive messages and videos from relatives and friends in Syria.

All over the globe, digital transformation is opening new paths for women. In Indonesia, more and more are taking the opportunities for independence it offers to open a business. But how do the young founders cope with the challenges posed by the role? All have had to overcome hurdles thrown up by traditional structures, widely accepted clichés and investors who prefer to bet on men.

To find a flurry of snowflakes in a winter wonderland, you sometimes have to travel far. We traveled to Montreal in Canada, to the forests of Karelia in Russia, and to the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Winter can be tough in all three places.

A fence divides Muslim and Croat pupils at a school in the Bosnian town of Travnik. Here and elsewhere in Bosnia contact between different ethnic groups is discouraged, even though the war ended over 20 years ago.