Spoils of Destruction / 2018
#Indonesia

Palm oil can be found everywhere today: from soap and ice cream to biofuel. It’s very efficient and the least expensive vegetable oil in the world. However, palm oil has been a major driver of deforestation. Nearly 90 percent of palm oil trees are grown on a few islands in Indonesia and Malaysia. Cutting down forests to make room for palm tree plantations destroys the habitats for orangutans, rhinos and elephants.

Forest-based indigenous communities struggle too, but they rarely fight for their rights. One notable exception are the Dayak Iban people from Borneo, Indonesia. They take companies to court, protest and seize the heavy equipment to protect their lands.

August 9 marks International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples. Check out how these brave people stand up for their rights.

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Congo: Cycle of Life / 2017
#DRCongo

What do you do if you live at the foot of an active volcano and the threat of violence is constantly present? A few dozen of residents of Goma, in the Democratic Republic of Congo opt to take bike rides. The Goma Cycling Club gives its members an opportunity to escape the harsh daily realities of poverty and armed groups that tempt young men to work for them. With many of the members coming from poor families, the club provides them with at least one meal a day.

They train every day, and some are so good they go on to become national champions.

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Siberian Apostles / 2014
#Russia

Sergei Torop was a traffic cop until one day he realised he was the manifestation of Jesus Christ!

He changed his name to Vissarion, wrote 18 volumes of teachings, and started an eco-village in the middle of nowhere. Vissarion has gathered thousands of followers from all walks of life, many of whom sold everything they had to move closer to their messiah.

Vissarion’s sect adopted veganism, rejected money, and lived in heavily guarded communes. While the sect took a lot from the Russian Orthodox Church, its members had their own way of making the sign of cross and counted years starting from 1961, when Vissarion was born. The key idea was that the end of the world was near, and only cult members would survive.

After three decades, Vissarion’s utopia came to an end when he was arrested in 2020 on charges of starting an illegal organisation, extortion, and abuse.

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When an Elephant Smiles / 2019
#Zimbabwe

Some 100 African elephants are killed each day for their tusks and meat. The illegal ivory trade threatens the survival of these magnificent creatures, and leaves hundreds of calves orphaned and almost certain to die. Baby elephants are like human infants - they need special care.

Roxy Danckwerts founded a unique elephant nursery in the heart of Zimbabwe. Her family-owned farm is a safe haven for injured and orphaned animals, where Roxy and nursery workers take round-the-clock care of infant pachyderms.

On World Elephant Day, take a moment to learn more about these beautiful animals and their conservation.

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🐘 Happy World Elephant Day!
🎲 Elephants are unique and beautiful. How well do you know these amazing animals?

🖊 8 questions · ⏱ 1 min

Inside Russia’s military operation / 2022
#Russia #Ukraine

The west is shipping arms to Ukraine, and American and EU leaders keep discussing more supplies of tanks and planes instead of peaceful solutions. Military aid provided to Ukraine don’t change the course of the conflict and only increases the number of deaths among civilians and soldiers.

Why the ongoing fighting in Ukraine is the fault of a years-long policy of the west and a boon for the American defence industry - in the new documentary.

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The Last Soviet in Afghanistan / 2012
#Afghanistan

Soviet soldier Gennady Tsevma was 18 when he was captured by the mujahedeen fighters in Afghanistan in 1984. Gennady was presumed a traitor at home so he had no choice but to stay in Afghanistan. The young man went on to become a Muslim, took a new name of Nikmamat and married an Afghan woman.

However, he never abandoned the dream of returning home one day.

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Grave Games / 2020
#Hungary

Ever considered grave-digging as a fun, competitive pastime? At least that’s how the Hungarian Gravediggers’ Association sees it.

Teams race to dig the perfect grave. It has to be exactly 1.6 m deep, 2 m long and 80 cm wide. Surprisingly, competitive grave-digging is quite a sight. Otherwise, how to explain people coming to watch and cheer?

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Gandhi’s Footsteps / 2019
#India

On August 15, 1947, India won its independence from British rule, otherwise known as the Raj. Mahatma Gandhi was the most prominent figure in India’s struggle for freedom. His philosophy of non-violence was so powerful it brought down the empire. Now Gandhi's face adorns Indian banknotes and his birthday is celebrated as a national holiday.

75 years after independence, Gandhi’s ideas still inspire many of his countrymen. Modern-day disciples, known as Gandhians, share how they put Gandhi’s teachings into practice.

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The Invisible Women / 2015
#India

In some parts of India, becoming a widow means social death. Widows can’t remarry and are abandoned by their families. They're expected to mourn and pray for the rest of their lives. In the holy city of Vrindavan, thousands of widows live in ashrams and beg in the streets to survive.

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Maasai: From Sand to Snow / 2015
#Kenya #Russia

“It’s the experience of a lifetime!” Wilson said, when a Russian friend invited him and his friends to see snowy Moscow. The Kenyan is from the village of Maasai and had never seen snow or experienced sub-zero temperatures before. Wilson and his friends had never even been outside Kenya. The documentary shows the adventure they’ll never forget.

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Coups R US / 2018
#USA

American journalist Stephen Kinzer explores America's interventions in Guatemala, Libya and Hawaii. These are just a few examples of America’s imperialist interventions. The documentary sheds light on the formula, rationale and real motives Washington uses to overthrow foreign governments it doesn't like.

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Joyability / 2020
#Russia

The Simple Things workshops in St. Petersburg, Russia, are special places for special people. Adults with learning disabilities are able to learn a craft, like pottery, woodwork or drawing. They learn to communicate and become independent by creating things in an inclusive atmosphere.

August 19 is World Humanitarian Day that celebrates people helping people. Check out this documentary to hear from volunteers and trainers at The Simple Things about their mission.

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Tokal / 2014
#Kazakhstan

In Kazakhstan, some men take more than one wife. The second and subsequent wife is called ‘tokal’. They are usually younger than the first wife, known as ‘baibishe’. Even though polygamy is technically illegal in the country, it’s a widespread practice, and it’s gaining in popularity again.

‘It’s up to you whether to introduce your tokal to baibishe. But bring both on vacation’, says a commercial for a popular aviation company. For many men, polygamy is about status. Kanishbek is one of them. He’s 57 years old and has two wives - one lives in Almaty and the other in Nur-Sultan. Kanishbek is actively searching for more younger women who could give birth to more children.

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Rwanda Pirouette / 2017
#Rwanda

In 1994, over a million people were killed in Rwanda when members of the Hutu tribe began to slaughter their Tutsi neighbours. Nearly 30 years on, citizens work every day to prevent the deadly schism from reopening in their society and everyone simply calls themselves 'Rwandan.'

The documentary shows the first-ever ballet school in Rwanda, where the young dancers strive to realise their dreams, while giving their country something better to be famous for than genocide.

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Kalashikov TM / 2012
#Russia

Kalashnikov assault rifles are the most popular and time-tested firearms in the world. One rifle from every new batch of new AK47s is put through rigorous testing - freezing temperatures, water, poundings and sand blasting.

The iconic and hugely successful weapon is the brainchild of Mikhail Kalashnikov. It made him a household name, but he received no compensation. The documentary reveals the origins of the legendary AK-47.

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Mine Country/ 2018
#Libya

The civil war in Libya has left the country littered with unexploded mines, bombs and other explosive devices. Clearing the dangerous remains of war rests on the shoulders of ordinary people like school teacher Mahmoud.

Find out more about the grim legacy of Libya’s civil war in Mine Country.

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Alienated Love / 2022
#Russia

Lyosha’s family left him when he was born. He was doomed to spend the rest of his life in a children’s home, but was lucky to meet a loving mother and become part of a big family. People were surprised by his extraordinary appearance, and many had mixed reactions.

Lyosha has a rare genetic disorder called Ablepharon macrostomia syndrome. There are only 16 people in the world with this disease. But Lyosha’s uniqueness is about so much more.

Despite his condition, Lyosha lives an everyday life of a regular teenager. He makes TikTok videos, plays video games, and dreams about the future.

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The Afghan Lady Cab / 2015
#Afghanistan

Sara Bohayi from Afghanistan had chosen an unusual career for a woman living in a patriarchal society. She’s the first and only woman taxi driver in the country. Defying gender norms, Sara became a local feminist hero. However, Sara can only give rides to women and she's not allowed to work after dark. But her clients appreciate the chance to be driven by a woman.

One year ago, the Taliban seized power and banned women from working outside of the hom

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