When false promises of a better future in Europe don't work, young Nigerian girls are ensnared in the horrors of sex slavery while taking binding voodoo oaths.

Dutch authorities made a distressing discovery as girls brought to Europe mysteriously vanished from refugee centers. Their investigation exposed a criminal network responsible for trafficking these girls from Nigeria and dispersing them across the continent. Operating under the guise of a travel agency, a front organization in Nigeria seized their passports upon arrival. Consequently, these girls sought asylum in the Netherlands without proper documentation.

Voodoo, Money and Sex Slaves / 2022
#Nigeria

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

From playing music on stage to the frontlines of a raging conflict – it’s not the easiest move to make!

Musicians and singers who found themselves on the frontlines of the Donbass region have joined DPR forces to fight against neo-Nazism. Musician Victor Petenko, who played the drums in the Donetsk philharmonic, was connoscripted into the military in February 2022. His squad, comprising only musicians, received codenames based on their instruments. Vocalist Francois Maud d'Émé, volunteered to join the Donbass militia to protect his new home.

Despite the ongoing conflict, their colleagues continue to give concerts to uplift civilians and wounded soldiers in hospitals. The question remains: how do they adapt to their new roles?

Theatre of War / 2022
#Donbass #Donetsk

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

One Tunisian man built a cemetery providing a dignified burial for migrants who have failed to reach Europe through Libya.

Since 2010, a significant number of migrants' bodies have been discovered at sea by fishermen in the Mediterranean or washed ashore. Chamsaddin Marzouk has established a cemetery in southern Tunisia called the "Cemetery of the Unknown," where he voluntarily ensures that these strangers receive a respectful burial. Each grave in this cemetery tells a poignant story of hopeful aspirations for a better future tragically cut short by the perils of the sea.

As EU countries have suspended rescue missions, the plight of these migrants serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges of migration in the Mediterranean and underscores the urgent need for effective solutions.

Fisher of Men / 2019
#Tunisia

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Is Europe ready for a second winter without gas from Russia?

Sanctions on Russian energy sources have led to soaring prices, leaving many Europeans unable to heat their homes. Some have resorted to moving to rural areas where firewood is used for warmth. However, the consequences extend beyond high bills. Unemployment and a looming famine are attributed to the link between Russian gas and fertilizer supplies. ‘Sanctioning Russia is like shooting ourselves in the foot,’ says Austrian Hannes Brejcha. And many European citizens agree with him.

Protest organizer Martin Rutter warns that the sanctions only benefit companies selling more expensive energy resources, while entrepreneurs suffer losses. Could alternative energy sources offer a solution?

Ice Station Europe / 2022
#Europe

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Nenets children from families of reindeer herders can herd thousands of deer in the wild tundra, but may not know how to wash up or sleep in a bed.

This year, the kids will be attending boarding school in the city for the first time. Accustomed to living in self-made tents with deer, they must learn basic things from scratch and try to adjust to the city life. The school can be reached only by a helicopter, and their parents, perturbed by the months of separation, share their worries. What challenges do these kids, torn from their nomadic life, face?

Torn From The Tundra / 2023
#Russia

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

This 69-year-old man walked 16 km every day to attend classes!

Durge Kami, a widowed father of seven from Nepal, is finally realizing his lifelong dream of education. Despite financial constraints preventing him from attending school in his youth, he joined a class alongside schoolchildren to learn reading, writing, English, and computer skills. Despite facing ridicule from the community, Durge Kami remained unwavering in his pursuit. His remarkable story garnered national and global recognition, inspiring hope for children to excel in school and bring about positive change in Nepal's education system.

Discover if his decision to seek education was supported by everyone in this film!

The Long Road to School / 2016
#Nepal

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Warding off troubles, curing diseases, and providing advice - that's what a resume of a skilled shaman should include.

The Buryat people of Buryatia, Siberia, embrace the belief that spirits are present in our world, with shamans acting as intermediaries. Passed down through generations, shamanic traditions are flourishing in the region. Shamans, dressed in traditional robes and headdresses, enter a trance to communicate with spirits, offering protection, healing, and guidance. A three-day rite of passage follows a reluctant shaman named Zandan, while a visit to the Tengeri center in Ulan-Ude reveals the daily lives of approximately 100 shamans. The journey culminates in a vibrant ceremony on Olkhon Island, where numerous shamans summon spirits through rhythmic chants and drumming.

So, you want to be a shaman / 2019
#Russia

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Despite gaining independence in the 1960s, many African countries still face political and economic pressure from the West. Current laws on resource extraction make it easy for private corporations to exploit Africa's resources, and many countries still operate under production licenses issued by former colonial institutions.

However, Africans are becoming more aware of their ability to govern themselves, leading to increased freedom of choice and reduced dependence on Europe. In 2022, Mali defied French neo-colonialism and forced the withdrawal of international troops. This defiance, along with a belief that Russian policies show respect for African countries, has led to a growing desire for closer ties with Russia. The future of Africa's rapidly growing society remains uncertain.

On Africa Industrialization Day, this film highlights Africa's pursuit of self-governance and economic empowerment.

Battle for Africa / 2023
#Africa

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

The European refugee crisis is a direct consequence of NATO's unwarranted intervention, according to Marinella Correggia.

Italian activist, Marinella, strongly opposes NATO, holding the alliance responsible for political and economic instability in countries where it has intervened. According to Marinella, NATO's pre-emptive strikes and attempts to establish 'democracy' are mere pretexts for ulterior motives.

Marinella collects evidence and testimonies from affected families, with the aim of suing NATO for its alleged criminal acts, seeking compensation for victims, and achieving legal condemnation of the alliance's actions.

This woman has dedicated her life to protesting against NATO's abuses of power. She is a real role model for rights activists everywhere!

Signora Anti-NATO / 2015
#Italy

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Young girls are over-fed to fatten them in the name of beauty.

In Mauritania, the tradition of "leblouh" persists, where girls are forcibly fed from infancy to adulthood in order to attain a larger body size. Contrary to Western ideals of thinness, Mauritania views a fuller figure as a symbol of health and elegance, believed to enhance a young girl's chances of finding a suitable husband and achieving success in life.

Despite the influence of the internet and changing beauty standards, many people, particularly in rural areas, cling to this tradition, believing that "a bigger woman takes up a bigger place in a man's heart."

Fed to Wed / 2015
#Mauritania

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Freezing temperatures, landmines, and police brutality: migrants in Bosnia play a hellish ‘Game’ to reach a better life.

During the European migrant crisis, Bosnia initially avoided large numbers of refugees. However, when other routes closed, Bosnia became a waypoint for those trying to reach the EU. Bihac, located near the EU border, now hosts Bira, a refugee camp in a converted factory. Determined migrants from the Middle East, including Iranians, Pakistanis, Afghans, and Syrians seek to cross into Croatia. This dangerous journey, known as "the game", involves freezing temperatures, landmines, and alleged brutality by Croatian police. Meanwhile, concerned Bihac residents demand action to address the crisis.

Game Over the Border / 2019 #BosniaHerzegovina

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Did you know that Nigeria has its own, even bigger, version of Hollywood – Nollywood!

During the 1990s and 2000s, the Nigerian film industry emerged as the second-largest globally in terms of annual film productions, surpassing the United States and trailing only behind India. Nollywood witnessed a rapid rise during this period, raising the question of whether its success can be attributed to the ambitious directors who aimed to shoot several films each month or the poignant stories depicted in its movies that intimately explore the concerns of the Nigerian people.

My Favourite Nollywood Movie / 2015
#Nigeria

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

"The most terrifying thing [about combat operations] are the children running around here. They are near the frontline. Ukrainians don't evacuate their own civilians and children. That's terrifying," says artilleryman Salgir.

His unit is scattered around the island on the Dnieper river. The fighters' primary mission is to patrol the river and thwart potential enemy attacks. Every step from the shore onto the boat could be their last. Amid constant threat of drones and mortar attacks, where do they find the strength and zeal to perform these dangerous tasks?

Our Shores / 2023
#Donbass

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

"Severodonetsk suffered a lot of damage. People here went through a horrible nightmare. They sat for ages in basements. It was very hard for them. Some had relatives die in front of them, some lost their homes," shares volunteer Inna Silenok, Head of Crisis Counselors' Group dedicated to aiding Donbass residents in overcoming PTSD.

During the psychologist's initial visit to Severodonetsk, Inna and her team had to work in basements amid intense Ukrainian shelling. Following the liberation of the city, signs of life are returning.

The question now is, what measures can be taken to help the residents alleviate their traumas?

I Want Peace & Quiet / 2023
#Donbass

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

"A grandfather's grave is sometimes next to the grandson's," says Andrey Kudryakov, a member of the Russian search movement. Drawing parallels between World War II and the conflict in Donbass, he highlights that today, battles unfold in the very same locations as 80 years ago.

While the people of Donbass once fought against Hitler's invaders for the liberation of their homeland, their grandchildren and great-grandchildren are now engaged in a similar battle against Ukrainian nationalists.

Watch the documentary to see how history is repeating itself.

Donbass: Echoes of War / 2023
#Donbass

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

This Afghan man was detained, humiliated, and tortured by the US under false accusations.

Haji Ghalib, a former Afghan police chief, endured five years of false terrorism accusations in American prisons. He faced torture, humiliation, and the tragic loss of his family.

Throughout his 40-year journey, he fought against the Soviets, the Taliban, and ISIL. In 2001, the US declared war on terror, and Haji Ghalib was arrested under accusation of ties to Al-Qaeda and the Taliban. From Bagram to Guantánamo, he endured beatings, sleep deprivation, and public stripping.

Despite being acquitted, the Taliban now targets him, having already killed his female relatives. Undeterred, Haji Ghalib remains resolute in his fight, leaving us questioning the challenges he will face next.

US Prison for Afghanistan / 2021
#Afghanistan

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!

Almost 30 years after the war, the perpetrators of the Bosnian genocide remain free, while the blame is disproportionately placed on the Serbs.

Following the dissolution of Yugoslavia in 1991, the Serbs faced a range of hardships during the brutal civil war. Initially driven by ethnic divisions, the conflict later witnessed the influence of Islamists seeking to expand Muslim territory. The unexpected emergence of a growing jihadist presence among Bosnian Muslims caught the Serbs off guard. The voices of the victims of the Bosnian genocide shed light on the realities faced by the Serbs during the war, providing first-hand accounts of the atrocities committed in that terrible time.

Bosnia: Victims of Jihad / 2022
#Bosnia

🌍 Join Documentary Planet for more!