Japanese ballerina builds career in Russia | No Limits (E4) / 2023
#Russia

‘My life is like the Nutcracker fairy tale’ says Marina Shibayama to describe her life after moving to Moscow. Marina, the Japanese girl with a Russian name was always fond of dancing from a very young age. When she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a professional ballerina because that wasn’t an option back home in Osaka.

Check out the latest episode of No Limits to see more of Russian culture through the eyes of a Japanese ballerina.

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Bibi Gul and her husband Ahmad sold their kidneys to pay their debts and to buy food for their six children. “ I’ll have to sell one child to buy food for the others. ”

In 2023, 97% of Afghanistan’s population are at risk of poverty. Jobless, deeply indebted, and struggling to provide for the family; many Afghans find themselves making inconceivable decisions.

In the city of Herat, dozens of young men and women end up selling their vital organs… just to survive. That was the case for Ghulam and his five brothers who resorted to the same desperate solution, and left with scars for life.

Watch more of these real stories in Afghan Kidney Sales, so you can understand the grim reality of the ongoing tragedy.

Afghan Kidney Sales / 2021
#Afghanistan

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An Iraqi family under pressure from sectarianism, ISIS and emigration

“They[family] built and built… and then, BANG!” This is how Omar, an Iraqi-Russian man describes what the Iraq War has done to his big ‘tight knit’ family; relationships frayed and trust was gone.

He embarks on a journey to visit his father’s homeland, seeking to reassemble the pieces of a family, split and displaced by war. Omar truly believes that most families there, tested beyond endurance, suffered the same fate as the Tower of Babylon, when people lost the ability to communicate with each other.

In the aftermath of the US invasion, the social fabric was ruptured and families were scattered across the world. Sectarian violence as well as ISIS, has left young men without a choice but to flee. Their relatives open up in Iraq: The Story of My Family.

Iraq: The Story of My Family / 2019
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Some call him an “alien”. There are only 16 like him on Earth. Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be born ‘overly unique’?

Lyosha has an extremely rare genetic disorder, Ablepharon-macrostomia syndrome (AMS), which is characterized by absent or underdeveloped eyelids and a wide mouth. He was abandoned at birth because of how he looks, so he spent his childhood in a foster home. This was until Nadiezhda happened! She accepted him and made him part of her family, surrounding him with love and joy.

But for little Taisia, a girl with the same condition, things haven’t turned out well and her future is anyone’s guess.

Alienated Love is a story about human oddity and the power of kindness.

Alienated Love / 2022
#Russia

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For the first time in history, Russia’s Northern Sea Route will serve as a seaway.

While the West closes its seaports to Russian ships, new possibilities arose. The Northern Sea Route now provides the shortest sea access from Europe to Asia.
And it’s all thanks to Russia’s nuclear-powered icebreakers, crushing ice to create safe passages for marine convoys. ‘Siberia’ is one of the main giant icebreakers of Project 22220, that can escort ships all year-round without the need to refuel, for decades.

The crews of these icebreakers seem to have developed a unique relationship with them. “You get used to it with your heart and soul… I think of icebreakers as my home”, says Anton Skorb, who has been aboard icebreakers since 1986.

If you’re willing to sail through the frosty polar nights and learn more about these mighty icebreakers, join us in Iceline. Lifeline.

Iceline. Lifeline / 2022
#Russia #Arctic

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‘When I was into the transgender lifestyle, I thought that was love.’ Once a transwoman and now an evangelist, Elijah Harrod looks back upon his previous life with regret. He is now on a mission to save others from falling prey to the ‘gay agenda’.

The debate on public display of sexuality and gender identity has deeply divided Americans. While some believe that freedom of expression is crucial for the LGBTQ+ community to promote diversity and acceptance, others view it as a harmful influence on children.

Our film, Pride and Piety, explores both sides of the debate, giving a voice to those who support events like pride festivals and drag queen story time, as well as those who believe that such displays are a threat to traditional values. Join us as we delve deeper into this controversial issue.

Pride and Piety / 2022
#World

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Who wouldn’t want a pet? Aleksey takes care of 10 lions as pets and how he got them is extraordinary. He had to sell his Moscow apartment to rescue them from being euthanized in South Africa.

“I wouldn’t call it hunting, it’s just execution,” the Russian biologist says of the cruel pastime of ‘canned hunting’ which is popular there. From that point on, he took his compassion to the next level. With the help of his colleagues, he decided to create a ‘lion sanctuary’ in South Africa!

In Me and My Lions, we follow the steps of Aleksey in his journey with his majestic creatures, to see what challenges he faces in his quest to provide them with a safe and happy home.

Me and My Lions / 2021
#SouthAfrica

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The German authorities placed children alongside paedophiles for decades, as part of a disturbing ‘social experiment’ that took place in West Berlin, in the early 1970s.

Under the guidance of Helmut Kentler, a German psychologist and sexologist, homeless children were deliberately handed to convicted paedophiles, assuming they’d become caring foster parents. Kentler was lauded as a 'hero of the sexual revolution' back then.

“Every day with this man was a struggle to survive.” Decades on, Sven understood that his life was abnormal only after he left his foster family, at the age of 21.

Another victim named Marco, wonders why the criminals responsible for this horrific experiment have not yet been brought to justice. “Those responsible are still sitting in their offices or have retired.”

Survivors of the ‘Kentler Project’, Marco and Sven, are seeking compensation from the German authorities.

German Paedo-Files / 2020
#Germany

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‘Someone made a profit on the organs of those 'sons of Ukraine,' as they say. They might have simply suffered severe injuries at the time, but instead of helping them, they were simply cut open and butchered’, says Lieutenant General Vladimir Kononov, who has witnessed the Ukrainian government’s atrocities firsthand. Kononov argues that amendments to transplantation laws adopted by the Kiev regime, hinder the tracing of organ trafficking; they also put both the people of Ukraine and Donbass at risk of donating organs against their will. Watch the documentary to find out why there’s absence of a reaction from the international community to this issue.

Tanks for Kidneys / 2023
#Ukraine

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“The owner kept hitting me until the stick broke,” said Mohammed, a brickworker in Bangladesh, who had to endure pain and oppression so that his family could have a better life. Alas, speaking up comes at a high cost, both physically and mentally. It may even cost one… their own life.

Entire families in Bangladesh risk their lives working in appalling conditions, such as in brick kilns, which are far from being comfortable or safe. People use their bare hands to work, and have no rights. Nurul Amin used to be a worker in the brick factory before he got injured. “There is nothing here but suffering,” he said.

About 50 million people are trapped in modern slavery worldwide - nearly 28 million are under forced labor.

Brick Slaves highlights the never-ending abuse of workers in Bangladesh, who still harbour hopes that one day, their suffering will come to an end.

Brick Slaves / 2021
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'India before the British was the richest nation with the highest GDP in the world. And why did the hundred years of British rule bring it to a dismal low of some 50th ranking or late 30th ranking?' A teacher asks himself in an eye-opening documentary about India's colonial legacy. The impact British colonizers had on the country's economy and cultural heritage was devastating. Why are priceless artefacts illegally taken from India still held in museums and private collections around the world? Is there any chance to bring all these treasures back to the people they were stolen from?

Looted India: Cost of an Empire / 2023
#India

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This rare Soviet-era film presents a never-seen-before footage of Israeli 007.

As intelligence warfare was ramping up in Syria in the 60s, Israeli spy Eli Cohen managed to infiltrate the highest levels of the Syrian government and extracted some vital information.

During that time, the USSR was expanding its military assistance to Syria and the Mossad were able to keep tabs on that, thanks to the intel Cohen provided. Probably, no one expected that the Soviet experts would fish out the Israeli agent who was eventually executed by the Syrians. Sixty years later, a mysterious film found in Russia, gives us a glimpse of this elusive spy – providing never-seen-before footage of Eli Cohen.

Whether you're interested in the history of the Middle East, the world of espionage, or just a superspy story, Spyfall is definitely worth checking out.

Spyfall / 2021
#Syria

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Living in a 'coffin home' and paying rent too? This is a reality in the city with the most skyscrapers in the world.

Hong Kong's housing crisis has reached its tipping point, with many residents living in 'coffin homes'; tiny spaces which are barely bigger than a dog kennel... Over 250,000 people live in squalid conditions there, even the UN describes the situation as an affront to human dignity.

How did those living in such misery end up this way, and what future awaits them? In Square Metre of Hell, we listen to the voices of Hong Kong's most vulnerable residents.

Square Metre of Hell / 2020
#HongKong

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“Don’t come back home. Go and hide somewhere”. Amin had no choice but to leave war-torn Syria and take on the adventure of a lifetime by relocating to Russia.

Amin embraced the bustling life of Moscow, its cold weather and despite this, he loved it. For over 10 years, he attained more than just a job he enjoyed - he started a family, adopted a dog and bought his dream car.
It seemed like Amin had entirely skipped the adapting phase somehow; instead, it was as if the city had welcomed the ‘hot-blooded’ man with open arms.

Buckle up and join Amin on the ride of his life in Russia in the latest episode of No Limits.

Syrian car enthusiast finds dream job in Moscow | No Limits (E5) / 2023
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Moving from rock to opera, across continents, can’t be mere coincidence

Carlos D’Onofrio was into rock music and heavy metal in his youth. He sought out a vocal tutor after a voice break, but was only able to find help for classical singing techniques. This led him down a path that ultimately brought him to Russia, where he achieved a thriving soloist career in the famous Mariinsky Theater.

Join us on this episode of No Limits as we follow the remarkable musical journey of Carlos, all the way from Argentina to Russia.

Argentinian soloist finds new audience in St. Petersburg | No Limits (E6) / 2023
#Russia

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‘If Germany doesn’t change its policy, they will lose their industry. They need to stop with that because it a nightmare for Germany now. They’re losing their industry because they don’t have access anymore to Russian gas’, says the political analyst, Aymeric Chauprade. Anti-Russian sanctions imposed by European countries damage their own economies. However, experts believe that such consequences are not unintended – the U.S has long been laying the groundwork and strategising to weaken Europe. Some even argue that ‘Europe has become a colony of the US’. Is this really the case?

Red Alert: Abduction of Europe / 2023
#Europe

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About 1 million girls have been kidnapped in India’s Jharkhand since the year 2000. There’s even a term – ‘Black beauties’ – for the local tribal girls who often fall victim to human trafficking.

Every year, thousands of underprivileged children disappear in India. Whether they are abducted, kidnapped, or escaping family conflict, these kids are exposed to serious dangers such as being exploited in slavery and sex trafficking.

“It’s like a fire burning in me”. That’s what parents say it feels like when their little ones go missing. Probu experienced this pain after a lengthy search for his son.

The film Lost Kids brings to light the heart-wrenching stories of families clinging to hope and their struggle to be reunited with their little ones again.

Lost Kids / 2019
#India

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