On Friday, the 13th of October, 1972, a charter plane carrying 45 passengers, including a college rugby team, vanished over the desolate, snow-covered Andes Mountains. For 72 days, the world thought they were dead.
California is a strong brand, the state of new beginnings, dreams and movie stars, of surfers and a wonderful climate. But the Golden State is bankrupt and the city of Los Angeles is running out of cash. Public services are being cut and unemployment keeps rising. At the same time, optimism, entrepreneurship and the belief in the power of America are stronger than ever. In Los Angeles, we meet five people who are going through a transformation in their lives during this crisis. Justin and Christine lost their jobs and are now living in a van with their two young sons. Charles has gotten out of prison after fourteen years. Mizuko prepares her children for the future by making them at ease in virtual reality. Laura has taken advantage of the crisis by buying land cheaply and starting an urban farm and artists collective Fallen Fruit maps the abundant free 'public fruit' available in the city. Who are the pioneers who are reinventing the new America and how do they see the future?
Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story shows how the classic board game has become a worldwide cultural phenomenon and follows the colorful players who come together to compete for the coveted title of Monopoly World Champion.
The Film tells the grim tale of the half century War on Cancer and focuses on the character of Thomas Navarro. In 1999, the four year old boy was diagnosed with brain cancer and thrust into the system of Surgery, Chemo and Radiation and not allowed to be treated with a proven method by Texas Doctor Stanislaw Burzynski. The war between the Navarro Family and the FDA is perhaps this country's greatest evidence as to why there should be medical freedom and how since the War on Cancer began in 1971, the war is still failing in 2009.
An atmospheric quest film, Love Shines follows Canadian songwriter Ron Sexsmith as he embarks on a last ditch effort to achieve a 'hit'. The curtain pulls back for a rare glimpse inside the process as Sexsmith works with legendary producer Bob Rock (Metallica, Motley Crue). But will this be enough? Sexsmith must emerge with a song that achieves commercial radio play, but the journey with Rock also turns introspective.
A show commemorating the 30th anniversary of the former Beatle's death. His contemporaries and current commentators reflect on the role of John Lennon, the artist and radical thinker.
This is the documentary of Andrew J. Paris, the first businessman to mass produce bubblegum after World War II. He became an overnight, international success and was dubbed "The Bubble Gum King of America" by Life Magazine in 1947...but his reign was short. Andy's fame took him to Hollywood, where he befriended rising stars like Natalie Wood and Marilyn Monroe. He made appearances on the most popular radio shows of the day, and his face appeared in newspapers all over the world. But Andy's business quickly fell under the scrutiny of the American government, with far reaching consequences for his fame and fortune.
MOTO The Movie was the first film of its kind to truly showcase the complete spectrum of dirt bike riding and racing. After an extraordinary response from off-‐road motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide, we had no other choice but to one-‐up ourselves as we traveled the globe to work with the best riders in the business in the most exotic locations possible.
Think you know Walt Disney World? Think again. Beyond the theme parks, beyond the mouse - we'll show you how Disney Parks can make your vacation magical when you want an alternative to rides, restaurants, and souvenirs. This program takes you to the unknown sites and attractions, as our cameras get off the beaten path. At Disneyland in Anaheim you can "Walk In Walt's Footsteps" and discover secret spots that Walt Disney himself visited. At Walt Disney World in Orlando, learn how to surf, make and ride your own roller coaster, go on a private safari, and drive a real race car.
In the center of the story is the life of the indigenous people of the village Bakhtia at the river Yenisei in the Siberian Taiga. The camera follows the protagonists in the village over a period of a year. The natives, whose daily routines have barely changed over the last centuries, keep living their lives according to their own cultural traditions.
Walking With Destiny highlights Churchill's years in the political wilderness, his early opposition to Adolf Hitler and Nazism, and his support for Jews under threat by the Nazi regime. As historian John Lukacs explains, Churchill may not have won the War in 1940, but without him, the War most certainly would have been lost. Sir Martin Gilbert, historical consultant for the film and Churchill's official biographer, adds that had Churchill's warnings about Nazi Germany's racial policies towards Jews been heeded in the early 1930's, the Holocaust may never have occurred. The film examines why Winston Churchill's legacy continues to be relevant in the 21st Century and explores why his leadership remains inspirational to current day political leaders and diplomats.
Docufactory's Is She or Isn't He? (2010) follows the transition process of New Zealander Graham to Ashleigh. Filmmaker Justin Pemberton spent five years with Ashleigh, who ultimately just wants to be a heterosexual woman loved by heterosexual man, as she meets with doctors and searches for her true identity. This documentary explores the intensive process, both physical and psychological, of figuring out who we are in the midst of social labels and judgments.
The Dead Sea Scrolls are widely considered to be one of the greatest archaeological finds in modern history. More than a half century after their discovery, scientists are still trying to solve the mystery of who wrote them. With special access to the scrolls, National Geographic goes beyond the enclosed glass case to examine the actual texts up close and explores the caves where they were found. Witness as a new clue to the identity of the scrolls' writers is deciphered-a 2,000-year-old cup inscribed with a strange text. Could analysis of this finding unravel the mystery?
Documentary about the history of one of the most powerful stories of our time, the UFO phenomenon from the dawn of the modern era through the present time.
The story of how the classic album "Paranoid" was made, with stories from band members to those who were influenced by its content, form and vitality. Paranoid is the second studio album by English rock band Black Sabbath. Released in September 1970, it was the band's only LP to top the UK Albums Chart until the release of 13 in 2013. Paranoid contains several of the band's signature songs, including "Iron Man", "War Pigs" and the title track, which was the band's only Top 20 hit, reaching number 4 in the UK charts. It is often regarded as one of the most quintessential and influential albums in heavy metal history.
Bettany Hughes goes in search of this lost civilisation, revealing the story of a city founded out of the desert by Alexander the Great in 331 BC to become the world's first global centre of culture. The documentary also looks at the role of astronomer and philosopher Hypatia, and incorporates stunning footage from the feature film 'Agora'.
EQUALITY U is a feature-length documentary following 34 young activists on the Soulforce Equality Ride. At some stops they're welcomed with open arms, at others they're arrested for trespassing or for simply attempting to open up a dialog. At every stop though, they're connecting with young people who've often never met an openly gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender person who is comfortable with who they are. Written by Dave O'Brien