Adventure Earth
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Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
In the far north-east of Georgia, on the border with Russia, the Abano Pass leads to lofty heights. At almost 3000 metres it is the highest passable road in the Great Caucasus. It winds its way up dizzyingly steep slopes. On wild paths, it leads through a fascinating landscape.
Upcoming
Dream Islands of Europe: Lanzarote and Fuerteventura
The film presents the two Canary Islands Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. Lanzarote has a rich culture in addition to a volcanic landscape: the film accompanies a ceramic artist, an instrument maker, shows architecture by César Manrique and a camel breeder. On Fuerteventura, in addition to livestock farming and the operation of traditional grain mills, nature conservation plays a major role: islanders are committed to preserving the sand dunes, and there is a turtle hatchery. On Lanzarote, countless volcanic eruptions have formed a bizarre lunar landscape. It is a great challenge for the inhabitants to extract the cultivation of food from the karstic, dry soil. And yet they even manage to produce wine. Protected by thousands of small depressions that act as water reservoirs, they grow vines on porous volcanic rock.
mareTV: Sardinia
Sardinia is the second-largest island in the Mediterranean. The Sardin-ians themselves say it's a "continent for itself", a virtual world of its own, full of magic: A beach, gleaming in unreal pink shades, red corals protect against the evil eye and the inhabitants seem to remain forever young. On Sardinia, the owners of luxury yachts adopt sheep, fish have gold in their bellies and a giant mussel supplies the material for legendary sea silk. No one is surprised, that the Madonna goes on a sea cruise once a year.
Women Above the Clouds
Aerobatics is the supreme discipline in air sports. Only a few pilots dare to navigate a machine during loops, drops and steep flights because nausea and blackouts due to the strong G-forces can be life-threatening. But flight instructor Jenny Holmenes is not deterred - she wants to prove her skills. Although she is still a beginner, she competes in the "Sportsman" class at the Norwegian Aerobatic Championships.
Women Above the Clouds
Alaska - the largest and at the same time most sparsely populated state in the USA. Only about 740,000 people live here. Often far away in small villages. Almost every village has its own airstrip. Aircrafts are one of the main means of transport in Alaska. Jamie Klaes is one of the many female pilots in the country.
Women Above the Clouds
Alia Twal is an enthusiastic pilot, globetrotter and adventurer. She is a first officer with the Jordanian airline Royal Jordanian and flies large passenger planes. She climbs the highest mountains in the world, dives with sharks or goes skydiving. Alia particularly enjoys travelling in her Jordanian homeland.
Moon, The: Our Gateway To The Universe
We are on the verge of a new age of exploration: besides the plans of NASA and other space agencies, over the next years also privately financed teams are going to send unmanned vehicles to the Moon. The goal is to find a cheap and efficient way to travel there on a regular basis, and in the long term to build a permanent human base.
Fuerteventura: The golden beauty of the Canaries
Fuerteventura, the second largest of the Canary Islands, is located just 120 kilometres off the coast of West Africa. The climate is extremely dry and the struggle for water has always been a major setback. Then, around a century ago, returning US emigrants brought what were then modern wind turbine water pumps from the Aermotor Windmill Company with them to Fuerte-ventura. Today, the environmentally friendly and so-called “Chicago’s”, experience a renaissance. Unfortu-nately, original spare parts in good condition are diffi-cult to come by. When Leocadio Araya Sanchez began planting countless cacti on a barren hillside a few years ago, people thought he was mad. His idea was to make a healthy juice drink from the prickly pears – with great success. But getting the fruit to release its pre-cious superfood juice is no simple task. On an almost daily basis, Marcos Tapia is magnetically attracted to one of the paradisiacal beaches of the island. The 44-year-old is Spanish champion and vice world champion in para-body board surfing. When he was 28. Marcos was involved in a serious motorbike accident and has been paraplegic ever since.
Bosnia Herzegovina
Wild and unknown lies the still undiscovered natural paradise of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the heart of Europe. Rough mountains, dense forests and wild waterfalls characterize the picture of the untouched landscapes. Lynx, wolves and bears roam mountains and valleys. One of the last primeval forests in Europe is a retreat for many endangered animal species. Bosnia and Herzegovina is actually an undiscovered natural paradise in the middle of Europe.
Bosnia Herzegovina
The barren, karstic south of the country, Herzegovina, also impresses with its natural landscapes. One of them is the Livno field. Not only is it the largest wetland in the country, it is also the largest regularly flooded karst field in the world. About 700 wild horses live in this unique landscape. Their ancestors were working horses that were abandoned here more than 50 years ago. Another special feature of the karst landscape are the rivers with their tufa barriers. The countless waterfalls that pour over it are a unique natural phenomenon.
Menorca
Not nearly as crowded as Majorca or Ibiza: Menorca has noticeably fewer visitors than her sister islands and in 1993, was recognised by UNESCO as a biosphere re-serve. Menorca also has its own distinctive charm, with its secluded coves, mighty cliffs, beautiful gardens and ages old towns and villages. Its residents love the is-lands treasures and peculiarities. Forests make up al-most a third of Menorca, complemented by many lush green meadows. Next to tourism, agriculture is a major source of the island's income to the present day. On Menorca, there are several accumulations of enormous megalithic stones. From a global point of view, the up to five-metre-tall "Taulas", whereby the stones are ar-ranged in the shape of a "T", are unique.
Meteor Menace
On February 15th, 2013, out of the blue, a meteorite exploded in the earth’s atmosphere above the Russian region of Chelyabinsk. The event is a reminder of the ever-present 'Meteor Menace' and the need to understand more about these missiles from outer space.
World's Most Dangerous Railway Lines
The Tanzania-Zambia-Railway (Tazara) is one of Africa's most ambitious infrastructure projects. It connects the inland with the coast of East Africa and meant independence from the surrounding apartheid-ruled countries of East Africa. The film accompanies the Tazara on its 52-hour journey through Tanzania and Zambia and uses spectacular aerial shots to show not only the architectural monuments but also the unknown sides of the previously hidden landscapes of Tanzania and Zambia.
World's Most Dangerous Railway Lines
Over 196 bridges and through 55 tunnels, the Bernina Express fights its way from Switzerland to Italy. Powerful forces of nature make the railyway line a dangerous route over the Grisons Alps to this day. The film accompanies the Bernina Express in winter over the highest rail route across the Alps.
World's Most Dangerous Railway Lines
The Ferrocarril del Sur, one of the highest train routes on earth, runs right through the mountains of Peru. To this day, it is considered a miracle in the world of railways. The rails not only lead to the famous ruined city of Machu Picchu but connect the ancient Inca capital of Cusco with Puno on the shores of Lake Titicaca and the gleaming white city of Arequipa. A train journey with the Andes Explorer through a grandiose landscape and an undeveloped and inaccessible area.
mareTV: Estonia's Enchanted Islands
Kihnu is one of 19 inhabited Estonian islands. When the women there ride motorcycles in colourful skirts, it is summer. Thanks to its remoteness, charming traditions have been preserved here. More than 2,000 islands belong to Estonia, none is like the other, each with its own character. Most of them were military restricted areas during the Soviet Union. Of all things, the strict shielding had its good points: beach, forest, juniper groves, they still characterise the landscape of Estonia's enchanted islands. Elly Karjam is a "multi-jobber": lighthouse keeper, ice-cream producer and contract knitter for the famous Kihnu sweaters. Summer is high season for her: She is expecting guests from the USA, who had their ancestors on Kihnu. Birches have to be cut for the so-called viht. This bunch of birch branches is an important accessory for the traditional sauna at midsummer. And the motorcycles in the shed are to be refloated.
Secrets of the North Sea
The North Sea is enigmatic. It presents itself in cool shades of grey. Yet who would have guessed that beneath the chilly waves are opulent coral gardens, courting squids, and several of the largest sea creatures on the planet?
Deadly Roads
Some risks on these car routes have natural causes: Extreme weather, avalanches and landslides. In some areas, the locals even believe that evil spirits kill travelers. But many of the dangers are man-made: robbers or terrorists lie in wait for travelers, and tough labor pressures, social hardship and greedy mass-transit businesses also cause tragic driving accidents around the world. In the 20th century alone, 35 million people died on roads worldwide - plus 1.5 billion injured!
Deadly Roads
Roads are much more than just gray strips of asphalt that allow us to travel and trade. For centuries they have been lifelines of mankind, full of stories and history - and in certain countries and areas they also hold great dangers, much human suffering and death. Documentary filmmaker Oliver G. Becker ventured onto dangerous roads in New Zealand, Scotland and Australia for phoenix.
The Moor
Moors and peatlands are oases in the cultivated landscape of Central Europe.
Eyes Of The Atacama
ALMA – the Atacama Large Millimeter Array – is the ultimate space observation facility. Here, 66 leviathan parabolic antennae trap cosmic rays in the previously unobservable long-wave range. It can only happen in Atacama, far away from civilisation’s pollution of the night sky with artificial light.
North America's National Parks
Saguaro National Park is an American national park in Pima County, southeastern Arizona. The 92,000-acre (37,000 ha) park consists of two separate areas—the Tucson Mountain District (TMD) about 10 miles west of the city of Tucson and the Rincon Mountain District (RMD) about 10 miles east of the city—that preserve Sonoran Desert landscapes, fauna, and flora, including the giant saguaro cactus.An inventory of medium and large mammals in the park confirmed the presence of 30 species in Saguaro National Park between 1999 and 2008. Of these, 21 were found in the Tucson Mountain District and 29 in the Rincon Mountain District. A partial list of the park's mammals includes cougars, coyotes, bobcats, white-tailed deer, mule deer, javelinas, gray foxes, black-tailed jackrabbits, desert cottontails, ring-tailed cats, white-nosed coatis, ground squirrels, and packrats. One endangered mammal, the lesser long-nosed bat, lives part of the year in the park and part of the year in Mexico.
North America's National Parks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is an American national park in the southeastern United States, with parts in Tennessee and North Carolina. The park straddles the ridgeline of the Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Blue Ridge Mountains, which are a division of the larger Appalachian Mountain chain. The park contains some of the highest mountains in eastern North America, including Clingmans Dome, Mount Guyot, and Mount Le Conte. The border between the two states runs northeast to southwest through the center of the park. The Appalachian Trail passes through the center of the park on its route from Georgia to Maine. With 12.5 million visitors in 2019, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States.
North America's National Parks
Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana, and Idaho. It was established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872. Yellowstone was the first national park in the U.S. and is also widely held to be the first national park in the world. The park is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful geyser, one of its most popular. While it represents many types of biomes, the subalpine forest is the most abundant. It is part of the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion.
The Seychelles
The 115 islands and islets that make up the Seychelles present a breath-taking variety of plants, rare animals and beaches laced with palms. This is where the leg-endary Coco de Mer palm nuts grow with fruits weigh-ing up to 20 kilos and giant wild land turtles nibble away at mangrove fruits to their hearts content. The archipelago was first settled at the end of the 18th cen-tury. Today, a very colourful potpourri of peoples in this dwarf state proves just how peacefully different cultures can live side by side. Three times a week, the steamer "MV Espoir" completes the trip from the main island of Mahé to Praslin and back. A ship for every-one and practically everything: Used cars, toilet paper, horses, bicycles, furniture - you name it, the Espoir transports goods of all kinds. Coconuts sometimes pose a problem as there are far too many of them. What to do with them? The best place to send them is undoubt-edly Hubert Roumien's Virgin Coconut Oil Laboratory, hidden away in the Mahé jungle. Straw turns into gold at Seaweed Seychelles! There, Benjamin Port Louis collects seaweed and extracts liquid fertiliser from it.
mareTV: Capri and the Amalfi Coast
Capri was already in ancient times a place for the rich and beautiful. Today Capri is one of the most famous islands in the world. Millions of tourists visit it. But there are in fact still unknown corners on the island in the Gulf of Naples. Thus, at the very top of Capri, there is a hermit monastery with a view to the Vesuvius.
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
The racing cyclists of Burundi have a dangerous job. But it’s a vital one for Burundi’s economy. Bicycles are the main means of transportation in one of the smallest countries in Africa. Bananas, the staple food in Burundi, are transported from the markets to a banana beer brewing factory. We accompany Tharcien, a bike courier, on his exhausting cross country trip on the Burundi Highway.
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
It is one of the wildest roads in Asia: the Trans Sulawesi Highway. The adventurous road leads through Indonesia's fourth-largest island and takes people to spectacular destinations. To beautiful beaches, turbulent cities, or unique primeval forests.
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
Tanzania is known for its national parks, vast landscapes and wild roads. They make traveling a real adventure. We travel in trucks, buses and off-road vehicles from the Indian Ocean via the Serengeti to Lake Victoria, accompany huge herds of wildebeest, observe lions and rhinos - and show the lives of the people who live on and along the roads.
Wild Sardinia
Sardinia has always been the epitome of pure wilderness, an emerald of volcanic origin in the Mediterranean. 1900 metres of coastline and an infinite maze of offshore islands. But Sardinia also has other facets: green valleys, rugged mountains, murmuring brooks, mysterious ruins and a unique fauna. Just off of Sardinia's coast is an untouched underwater paradise - uniquely beautiful, but also dangerous. Pilot whales, dolphins and mobula rays populate the waters at Capo Testa in the north of the island. In the west, the lagoons of Cabras represent a wild landscape of lakes in which thousands of flamingos live and hunt the red brine shrimps. In addition to the flamingos, grey and purple herons and little egrets breed here. Thousands of bats have found refuge in the craggy mountain world of the Supramonte and Gennargentu, with their countless grottoes and caves. In the sea we can observe the mass mating of sea slugs, and thanks to our camera robots and submersible boats we were able to observe beard worms with luminous red gills, as well as bright yellow tree corals in the area surrounding the hypothermal lava holes.
mareTV: Majorca
"Cleaning woman island", concrete castles, Ballermann: Mallorca's image is negatively affected in some respects. The documentary explores the charm of the largest Balearic island beyond the hustle and bustle of tourism and Rambazamba. The "real" Mallorca is best explored through real Majorcans: Manolo Barahona, TV fishing expert from the local island broadcaster IB3, faces the most difficult task of the year. The Raor is in season, the most expensive fish on the island. Manolo is supposed to get him first in front of the camera and then in the pan. There's only one catch, the little fish with the piranha teeth just doesn't want to be on TV. In the first months of the year Mallorca turns into a sea of almond blossoms. There are around seven million almond trees on the island, once planted to replace dead vines. But now also the almond trees are threatened. The fire bacterium continues to spread, especially on the large plantations. The farmer Biel Torrens wants to save Mallorca's almond trees and fruit with a small organic plantation and gentle harvesting methods. He shakes the almonds from the tree by hand instead of using a mechanical vibrator.
Secrets of the Mediterranean
The contours of the Mediterranean have changed during the course of its history. Near Gibraltar, Africa was once connected to the European continent. When the land bridge at Gibraltar collapsed, the Mediterranean basin filled up again. The Suez Canal is today connected to the Red Sea. This route enables animals to reach the Mediterranean, where they cause problems.
Secrets of the Mediterranean
Rugged rocks, blue sea and idyllic, sandy beaches - this is the Mediterranean as we know it. But this impression is deceptive: the Mediterranean is under constant change. The continents are moving towards one another. Animals, that have to survive under such extreme conditions, must find a way to escape the dangers. Between deserts and volcanoes, the challenges for the animals are enormous.
mareTV: Scotland's Mild West
The Inner Hebrides surprise with green hills, fine sandy beaches and a mild climate, at least as far as Scottish conditions allow. This is ensured by the currents of the Gulf Stream, as well as the Scottish archipelago being protected by its sister islands, which belong to the Outer Hebrides. More than half of the almost 80 islands are uninhabited. Loneliness has made the people rather inventive. On Tiree Island, mathematics, history and physics from the mainland arrive in the classroom per mouseclick. Dr Mauvis Gore and Prof. Rupert Ormond cast off from the island of Mull, after setting a course to encounter a basking shark. The cetohinus maximus is the world's second largest fish and the two scientists are absolutely convinced that the waters surrounding the Mull constitute the mating grounds for the basking sharks. A logistical challenge takes place on the Isle of Easdale each September. Then, around 400 people populate the tiny slate island. Donals "Mellon" Melville organises the World Skimming Championships, a World Cup in jumping stones. This is all about the distance they are thrown and they must only hop above the water twice.
Countries People Adventures
In southeastern Iceland, Europe's largest glacier, the gigantic Vatnajökull, covers an area of around 9,000 square kilometers. Beneath it lie the world's most active and dangerous volcanoes. This extreme landscape is as dangerous as it is fascinating: glistening white glacier tongues, lagoons covered with icebergs, bizarre green lava mountains, snow-covered volcanic cones, solidified lava flows and imposing waterfalls overwhelm everyone who gets to see them. In 2008, Icelanders declared the glacier and adjacent areas a national park, the largest in Europe. In this documentary, the team meets people who live, work or do research here: a life with the dangers of fire and ice in the overwhelming landscape of Vatnajökull National Park.
Legendary Paddle Steamers
Idlewild - Avalon - Belle of Louisville - these three names stand for the last still roadworthy, historic sternwheeler in the USA. In 1914, the ship was built as "Idlewild" for the West Memphis Packet Company as a passenger ferry. With a draft of only 1.50 m and a robust steel hull, the boat is suitable for almost all navigable rivers of the Mississippi River system. Today, the "Belle" is the most traveled steamboat in American history. In the course of her eventful life, she has called at 130 places in 19 states.
Legendary Paddle Steamers
Lake Lucerne in the heart of Switzerland stretches from the foothills of the Alps to the first three-thousand-meter peaks of the high mountains. Home waters of the paddle steamer Unterwalden. For two and a half years she was not on the water. Now, after the biggest renovation in her history, the life of the 110-year-old paddle steamer is starting all over again. Her first voyages, with all the imponderables and challenges for the crew, take her into a diverse, wild landscape, right into the mystical heart of Switzerland. In their territory, scenic contrasts collide: barren high moorland and gently rolling alpine meadows, modern tourist resorts and quiet mountain villages, caves hidden deep in the earth and snow-covered two-thousand-meter peaks. The Unterwalden is part of the oldest and largest fleet of paddle steamers so high above the sea. Here on Lake Lucerne, according to national legend, the three original cantons swore eternal allegiance to each other over seven hundred years ago. A land around which countless myths entwine and whose lifeline since the opening of the Gotthard Pass in the thirteenth century was the shipping traffic on the lake.
Chasing Quakes
Europe has experienced catastrophic earthquakes – even though the 'old continent' is not the most notorious region on Earth for strong quakes, the danger from below is very real. Autumn 2016 tragedy strikes north-central Italy. A series of four earthquakes cracks a mountain and flattens a historic town.
mareTV: Newfoundland
In Newfoundland, at the easternmost tip of North America, the landscape is pristine, dramatic, and very sparsely populated. In summer, icebergs occasionally drift along the steep cliffs. When the "Titanic" collided with an iceberg and sank just 300 miles off the coast of Newfoundland in 1912, the last radio messages were picked up in a small wooden hut on the Avalon Peninsula. Today, most Newfoundlanders live on Avalon. There are particularly many seabirds here. In Witless Bay, the newborn puffins are ready for their first descent into the Atlantic. But some stray onto the coastal road, attracted by the lights of the hotels and restaurants. In doing so, they run the risk of being run over. A team of volunteers saves the lives of countless young birds: The Puffin & Petrel Patrol goes out at night dressed in high-visibility vests to collect the puffins. Biologist Sabrina Wilhelm then brings them back to Green Island, home to the largest puffin colony in North America. Here, the birds catch up on what they should have done long ago: the first dive of their lives.
The U.S. East Coast
Nowhere is the American way of life as relaxed as on Florida's beaches. The Keys, a chain of islands at the far southern end of the state, reveal a more laid-back side of the USA. But all of Florida amazes -- with secluded beaches, unspoiled nature, and the legacy of the early European settlers.
The U.S. East Coast
New Hampshire has only 19 kilometers of coastline and short summers, all the more reason Shauna Fraser takes every opportunity to be by the sea. In the sheltered harbor of Rye, Shauna also targets inner attitude with yoga on a paddleboard.
mareTV: Madeira
Flower magic in Madeira: The Flower Festival Festa da Flor is the most important event of the year for the people of the Atlantic island. With it they celebrate spring, which is climatically practically all year round here, their island and themselves. The coast formed by lava, centuries-old laurel forests and green steep slopes make Madeira unique. Those who start right at the front of the big parade of the flower festival in the capital Funchal, will have made it. For Isabel Borges this dream has come true. She opens this year's flower parade along the harbour promenade with her festive group. This accolade does not only mean fame and prestige, but also a lot of pressure. Are the self-designed dresses splendid enough? Will the 150 flower children learn the dance steps in time? Will the flowers on the float hold out in the heat? For Isabel, it is now a matter of nerves.
mareTV: Martinique
The island of Martinique is a piece of France in the Caribbean, between Florida and South America. And of course, Savoir-vivre applies just as it does on the other side of the Atlantic, between the English Channel and the Mediterranean. Jacky Pascault is the first and only man to cultivate mushrooms in the Caribbean. Everywhere else, they grow on artificially fertilised soil, but Jacky's Champignons Tropicaux flourish on sugar cane fibres. Nicole Vilo tailors hats and dresses out of coconut palms. Of course, the catwalk for the models wearing her first collection is one of the countless dream beaches. The Martiniquais sail on boats they call Yole, which have no keel and are therefore difficult to navigate. The crew members hang over the water in breakneck fashion on long wooden poles. Just the job for Yole-boss Max' "problem kids": they not only learn complicated handling, but also team spirit.
Portugal's Nature Parks
In the southwest of Portugal lies the little known Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. It encompasses a narrow coastal strip that runs along the coast to the south of Portugal. Sparsely populated, this coastal region, which was placed under protection in 1988, is considered one of the last intact ecosystems in Europe. The steep cliffs, the almost constant wind and high waves have ensured that mass tourism has not gained a foothold here. There are still near-natural forests and a diverse bird life.
Portugal's Nature Parks
The highest mountain range in Portugal is the Serra da Estrela. The episode embarks on a voyage of discovery to adventurous rock formations and villages steeped in tradition. The nature park is the largest protected area on the Iberian peninsula. In the mountain range we accompany the young scientist Ana Matos, who wants to breathe new life into old traditions, and cheese maker Maria Natália Lopes. She watches over more than 350 sheeps.
Italy My Love
In ten coastal areas of Italy, we encounter people that have a very special relationship with their region. All of them love their country, their traditions and their work. We met with enthusiasts and hedonists that permitted us to take a glimpse into their everyday lives. Young Italians, who have rediscovered nature and its treasures. Others, that preserve the beauty, archaeologists that apply whole new methods, farmers that only cultivate that which the soil needs. Fishermen, who fish in the same way as it was done a century ago and tough, young men who play and dance the Tarantella. Dolphins, giant sea turtles and pink flamingos, which are researched, nursed back to health or simply observed. Cave explorers, sail makers and coffee specialists are also part of the big picture. Flying drone cameras provide birds-eye views and are an important element of the films. The results are spectacular images from completely different angles which provide us with landscape overviews and detailed insights, the likes of which have never been seen before.
mareTV: The Caribbean for explorers: St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Much more Caribbean than on the islands of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is hardly possible. Deserted beaches, uninhabited islands, lush vegetation, the 33 islands in total are dreamlike with extremely hospitable inhabitants. Miranda Phillips runs a laundry and water boat on Bequia. Every morning, the 32-year-old navigates from yacht to yacht with her small bright green service vehicle and is already expected by most skippers. Miranda promises radiantly fresh laundry, which she delivers again the same day. And so there is always something going on in her tiny laundrette in the harbour. It turns into a karaoke bar in the evening, because that is Miranda's great passion. Eban Olliver has many jobs at once. He is the lighthouse keeper of Kingstown. And that means a lot of responsibility in St. Vincent's biggest port city. Because Eban doesn't just change the light bulbs, he's a pilot dispatcher, harbour master and guard all in one person. First contact with ships is particularly important. Once he even saved the entire nation from an Ebola virus.
Myths of the Congo
The Congo, mighty and deep like no other river - yet still a retreat and a habitat for several of our world's strangest animals. Our closest relatives live deep inside the dense jungles: three of the four giant ape species have made the Congo basin their home. Rich in extraordinary footage, the second episode of "Myths of the Congo" also presents exciting insights into one of the most mysterious and dangerous regions on earth.
Myths of the Congo
The river that swallows all rivers - this is what the natives call it. In reality, the Congo, when considering its water masses, is the second largest and the deepest river in the world. At its source in the north of Zambia, it starts out as a mere trickle, but on its journey westwards it grows and grows, becoming ever mightier and with it, the animals, too: the shoebill stork hides in the dense papyrus. Metre-long pythons hunt for their prey in trees and huge hippos fight for power and respect in the water. To survive in the Congo, animals have to adapt to extreme conditions. Here, evolution has spawned unique creatures: fish with lungs, wings and those that go hunting on land. The Congo River feeds the second largest rainforest on earth. Here is the home of the forest elephant. Time and again, they are summoned to this one, magic place: the Dzanga Bay. Countless other forest dwellers join them. What makes this place so special?
Wild Prairie Man
Located in the Northern Great Plains of Canada, Grasslands National Park has been a 20 year odyssey for wildlife photographer James R. Page. For James, critters are more interesting than people and he shares some of his iconic images and experiences from this endangered ecosystem. We showcase the parks wilderness that is dominated by prairie light and dark sky, the wildlife, prairie dogs, mesmerizing landscapes, and bisons. We immerse ourselves in the wild habitat of Grasslands National Park for over a year capturing some never before scenes in the Wild Prairie. James R. Page's connection to the land and the wildlife provides an unforgettable journey into the heart of this endangered ecosystem, while Park experts help us understand its complexity.
Tren Atlantico
We travel by train from the westernmost point of mainland Europe up to Portugal's only national park, the Peneda-Gerês, and from lively Porto to the Spanish border in the northeast. The train takes you from the blue sea to the green Douro Valley, from the urban metropolis to the scorching heat of the deserted hinterland.
Tren Atlantico
Switzerland or Spain? This question is often asked by those who see pictures from northern Spain for the first time: High mountains, lonely villages, but - this is the crucial difference - also breathtaking Atlantic beaches. The "Costa Verde", the green coast, is a piece of Spain that is so different from the general tourist image of the Germans' favorite vacation destination. This area has been spared from mass tourism. We travel by train from Bilbao in the Basque Country to Santander in Cantabria and Asturias.
Rewilding: Back to Nature
Worldwide, there are various projects and approaches to give nature more space again. The aim is to create larger wilderness areas that develop with hardly any influence of humans - by reintroducing so-called key animal species and creating a network of wilderness corridors across entire continents. Rewilding promises to be a cost-effective form of conservation in which we can boost biodiversity and protect the climate.
Survival of the Fittest in the Alps
The documentary shows the survival strategies of various animal species in the high mountains of the Alps in winter. Despite freezing temperatures and limited food supply, chamois, red deer and snow hares manage to survive the cold months. Latest research reveals the amazing abilities the animals have developed to adapt to the extreme conditions and also how climate change is altering the behaviour of the alpine inhabitants.
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
The Sichuan Tibet Highway is the road of longing for many. It leads through fascinating landscapes and remote areas up to the Himalayan Mountains. We accompany truck driver Ren Taiping on his trip to the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa, encountering pilgrims, mountain bikers and nomads on this dangerous journey.
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
The Carretera de la muerte - the road to death- is one of the most dangerous roads in the world. Year after year many people die here. We accompany trucker Omar and his co-driver Jaime on their trip across the Andes, encountering cyclists, mountain bikers and coca-farmers on the way.
glCuba
Even anyone who has not yet been to Cuba can conjure up certain images of American vintage street cruisers, imposing buildings that have seen better days, white sandy beaches full of palms and loving couples on the Malecón against a backdrop of crashing waves. This island is somewhat of a myth and its people generate a special joie de vivre. The legendary Hershey Train departs for Matanzas from the capital, Havana. On the oldest electrified railway line in the Caribbean, 60-year-old Spanish carriages make their way along al-most 100 kilometres of coastline in the most relaxed way possible. The Salvavidas on Varadero, probably the most famous beach on the island, have a particular-ly beautiful workplace. The lifeguards' territory ex-tends for more than 20 kilometres. In order to protect the coasts of Cuba, mangroves have been replanted here for many years. The project is supported by the UN and planting is often carried out by schoolchildren. In doing so, Cuban children learn how to treat their maritime habitat in a sustainable fashion. The former colonial city of Trinidad on Cuba's south coast is gen-erally considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the entire Caribbean. The houses here are particular-ly colourful. A plethora of magnificent buildings can be seen at the Plaza Mayor, the neo-baroque main square.
Caribbean sisters: The Lesser Antilles St. Kitts & Nevis
In the centre of the Caribbean, volcanoes rise steeply from the sea, thus shaping the sister islands of St. Kitts & Nevis. Their slopes, covered in lush rainforests, snow-white, sandy beaches and the surrounding tur-quoise tinted waters provide the ultimate setting for this record-breaking, albeit tiny island paradise: Both islets are the smallest of the Caribbean dwarf states and also rank among the world’s ten smallest states. A hot pepper sauce, made of a creative mixture of ginger, garlic, thyme and extraordinarily hot chillies that thrive in the hot and humid climate of Nevis, is simmering on the stove of Violet and Llewellyn’s house. Lemmy Pemberton digs up abandoned turtle nests with his bare hands, as he wants to be certain that all of the babies have indeed managed to make it. Members of the Turtle Group catch sea turtles in order to take their measurements and fit them with transmitters. Taxi bus-es are not only the main means of transport on St. Kitts & Nevis, they are also an artistic expression of each driver’s personality. Colourfully embellished, each taxi represents island art on wheels.
North America's National Parks
Yosemite National Park is a place of superlatives: with towering cliffs and giant sequoias, home to coyotes, black bears and the most elusive of all: the bobcat. Watch this documentary with ist spectacular shots, aerial views and time-lapse shots and learn some new facts about the biodiversity in one of North Americas most spectacular National Parks.
North America's National Parks
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve is an American national park that protects portions of the Brooks Range in northern Alaska. The park is the northernmost national park in the United States, situated entirely north of the Arctic Circle. The park is the second largest in the US, slightly larger in area than Belgium. Gates of the Arctic was initially designated as a national monument on December 1, 1978, before being redesignated as a national park and preserve upon passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act in 1980. A large part of the park has additional protection as the Gates of the Arctic Wilderness that adjoins the Noatak Wilderness. They form the largest contiguous wilderness in the United States together. Fauna include brown bears, black bears, muskoxen, moose, Dall sheep, timber wolves, wolverines, coyotes, lynxes, marmots, porcupines, river otters, red and Arctic fox species, beavers, snowshoe hares, muskrats, bald eagles, golden eagles, peregrine falcons, ospreys, great horned and northern hawk-owls. More than half a million caribou, including the Central Arctic, Western Arctic, Teshekpuk, and Porcupine herds, migrate through the central Brooks Range twice yearly, traveling north in summer, and south in winter. Caribou are important as a food source to native peoples. The park is the northernmost range limit for the Dall sheep. About 132 brown bears reside in the park and preserve, based on a density of about one bear per 100 square miles.
mareTV: Wismar Bay
The Wismar Bay is unique in its diversity on the Mecklenburg Baltic Sea coast: cliffs, sandy beaches, salt marshes, enchanted islands and, last but not least, the proud Hanseatic city of Wismar with its brick Gothic buildings, which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When the mighty logs get wedged together in the timber mill in the port of Wismar, Steven Buchholz has to get to work with his chainsaw. It's a dangerous job, because the logs weigh tons. As a trained carpenter, Steven is a virtuoso with the chain saw. Even after his shift is over, he is looking for the thrill: the wind off his home island of Poel is favorable that day and he wants to reclaim the German record in the kite surfing high jump. For a long time, Ramona Stelzer only knew fish as a tasty ingredient between two halves of a bun. But when the goldsmith got her hands on fish leather, her business idea was born: she processes the unique natural product fish skin into fine jewelry. The problem is that hardly anyone in Germany tans fish skin. In order to reliably obtain supplies, Ramona now wants to learn this craft herself.
Dust And Stripes
In a never-ending quest for grass and water, the striped herds undertake an annual epic trek across the vast lunar landscape of the Kalahari’s Makgadikgadi Pans. Most of the year, the Makgadikgadi is an inhospitable wasteland of windswept, salt-encrusted pans. For the area’s water-dependent zebra, the Boteti River on the western edge of the pans is a dry-season lifeline. However, it is also a death trap, with lions waiting in ambush and crocodiles lurking in dark riverside caves.
Women Above the Clouds
Living conditions are harsh in the Australian outback, especially in William Creek. Only 17 people live here, and in summer even less - only two. There is a motel, a campsite, a pub and the only petrol station in a radius of hundreds of miles. The young bush pilot Hannah Jane Cash lives and works here.
Women Above the Clouds
Nepal is one of the poorest countries in the world. Young women are often disadvantaged here and quite a few are married off before the age of 18. Helicopter pilot Priya Adhikari lives and works here. The 38-year-old is an exception and the only woman in Nepal who ventures into the extremely dangerous heights of the Himalayas in her helicopter.
mareTV: Venice
Venice has been attracting people as if by magic for centuries. The Italians call her La Serenissima, or the sublime. Perched on wooden posts, she braves the elements and the huge, annual surge of visitors. Vogalonga is the name of a Venetian sports competition for women, in which the participants row their boats standing. This is a tradition that Guilia and Elena also follow. They train hard, as the yearly regatta is soon to begin. Anyone caught driving their water vehicle with more than 7 km/h through the canals of Venice, risks getting a ticket from local policewoman Lorenza Mariutti. The reason: the resulting waves gnaw at the foundations of the grand palaces. Venetians are very attached to their traditional cuisine. The island of Sant' Erasmo is the town's garden. Artichokes, radicchio, onions, everything that grows here is said to taste fantastic, thanks to the salt content of the air and water. Carlo and Claudio Finotello not only grow the vegetables, they even deliver directly to their customers' doors. At sunset, they sail through the lagoon with their boat, brimming with produce, towards San Marco. People waiting at the many bridges, now receive their wares: regional, seasonal, fresh. And without a hint of stress if possible. Like so many other things in Venice. Perhaps because La Serenissima is also known as "The Composed".
Masai Mara: The Big Hunt
When food supply in the Serengeti dwindles, the Masai Mara is a paradise for predators. As the black wildebeests, gazelles, zebras and antelopes make their yearly trip from the south of the Serengeti to the north, nature’s best laid trap, the Mara River in Kenya is waiting ahead. Captivating shots filmed under water show how crocodiles prepare for the Big Hunt while other predators lurk on the banks awaiting their bounty. The biggest problems for the migratory animals are the Mara and the Tarek River, where they have to put their lives at risk to get to the other side. A great number of them die as they jump into the river and break their legs, while others are carried away by the drift or drown. Those who are not victims of the river itself risk falling prey to the crocodiles. We entered this unchartered territory, the crocodile domain by heading under water. Follow these predators in and around their habitat and watch prides of lions map out their game plan. In slow-motion, we show you the final showdown between predator and prey. Will it be a successful hunt or will the hoofed animals persevere?
World's Most Dangerous Railway Lines
The Pamban Railway crosses the tropical landscape of Tamil Nadu, the former Madras, for around 600 kilometers. Heavy storms and rain showers make the route a challenge for Indian Railways to this day. The film accompanies the "Rameswaram Express" over the notorious Pamban Bridge, the first bridge across the Indian Ocean.
World's Most Dangerous Railway Lines
In northern Argentina, the world-famous Tren a las Nubes - the cloud train - crosses dizzying viaducts and deep valleys. At an altitude of over 4000 meters, what was once the highest railway runs past cactus forests and into the driest desert in the world. A technical feat in the Andes and a breathtaking ride through spectacular scenery.In northern Argentina, the world-famous Tren a las Nubes - the cloud train - crosses dizzying viaducts and deep valleys. At an altitude of over 4000 meters, what was once the highest railway runs past cactus forests and into the driest desert in the world. A technical feat in the Andes and a breathtaking ride through spectacular scenery.
mareTV: Curacao, Blue Wonder of the Caribbean
Curacao is one of the most popular attractions for countless cruise ships on their trips through the Caribbean, because it is located outside of the hurricane belt. This is why Eric Miguel is constantly in action. He is the bridge keeper of the Queen Emma Bridge, the landmark of Curacao's capital, Willemstad. After his shift, Eric goes to Yvonne Troeman's cook-shop. Her speciality is Kadushi, a cactus soup. The ingredients include cactus flesh, pigtail's, mussels and a few secret "treats". Barbara van Bebber is the only submarine pilot on Curacao and literally gets to the bottom of things amidst the turquoise-blue wonder of the Caribbean. She charters out her sub to marine biologists and wealthy private explorers, simultaneously cleaning up on the seabed. Her "Curasub" has claw arms, which she employs to remove anything that doesn't belong down there: beer bottles, car tyres, and plastic refuse. Jeroen Eikelenboom simply carts sand from a neighbouring cove to his own surf club in his favourite bay.
mareTV: Mexico's Caribbean Coast
The palm tree laden beaches on Mexico's Riviera Maya on the Yucatan peninsula are endless, and the turquoise sea with its gentle Caribbean surf is a warm 25 degrees during the mild winter in this part of the world. Between Cancún and Punta Allen, where once there was little more than bushland and a few sleepy fishing villages, vibrant life has evolved during the past three decades. Richard Sowa has lived on a floating island for the past 15 years: an island he built himself out of empty plastic bottles. The bon vivant him-self sees it as a "solution for our planet's refuse problem". Off Punta Allen, a village in the bay of Sian Ka'an, Mexican Mara Coral Ley and her cousin Kim, continue to catch lobsters by adhering to the traditional method and were awarded an "Eco seal for sustainable fishing" for their trouble. It is silent under water off Isla Mujeres and it is here that the artist Jason deCaires has constructed a sculpture park. Hundreds of lifesize figures form an artificial reef at a depth of 12 metres. Fish and plants complete his work of art. The master himself is convinced: "Mother Nature is the true artist".
Deadly Roads
Roads are more than just gray strips of asphalt that allow us to travel and trade. For centuries they have been lifelines of mankind, full of stories and history - and in certain countries and areas they also hold great dangers, much human suffering and death. Documentary filmmaker Oliver G. Becker ventured onto the dangerous roads of Afghanistan's Hindu Kush Mountains, the infamous Moloto Road in South Africa, along the vertiginous slopes of the Bolivian Andes and other "roads of death" in India, Georgia and the Ivory Coast
Deadly Roads
Some risks on these autoroutes have natural causes: Extreme weather, avalanches and landslides. In some areas, the locals even believe that evil spirits kill travelers. But many of the dangers are man-made: robbers or terrorists lie in wait for travelers, and tough labor pressures, social hardship and greedy mass-transit businesses also cause tragic driving accidents around the world. In the 20th century alone, 35 million people died on roads worldwide - plus 1.5 billion injured! With the two-part "Death Roads - On the Road at the Limit," phoenix offers a documentary road movie along the world's most dangerous car routes.
Baltic National Parks
Lahemaa National Park on Estonias Baltic coast features ancient forests, rivers and peninsulas where nature has remained largely untouched.
Baltic National Parks
Soomaa National Park is one of Europes wettest wilderness areas. Floods, forests and wetlands create a landscape where canoes replace roads during the fifth season.
Lunenburg: Where the Land Meets the Sea
On the east coast of Canada, a place whose name sounds strangely familiar. The small town of Lunenburg, west of Halifax, was founded in 1753 by North German immigrants. Today, the idyllic town with its many wooden houses is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 19th century, Lunenburg was one of the richest towns in the British Empire, becoming prosperous through fishing and shipbuilding. Glenn Rhodenizer's family traces back ten generations directly to German immigrants. And what the Rhodenizers primarily grow on their fields directly by the sea could hardly be more typical: it is white cabbage, which the farming family processes into sauerkraut. Sauerkraut can be found in every restaurant and supermarket in this area; it is the specialty of the region. The heritage of wooden boat building is successfully maintained by David Westergard. In his ancient shed, he is assembling a 20-meter schooner from four different types of local wood. Building wooden boats, he says, is like "slow food": sustainable, conscious, environmentally friendly, waste-free.
Caribbean sisters: The Lesser Antilles St. Kitts & Nevis
In the centre of the Caribbean, volcanoes rise steeply from the sea, thus shaping the sister islands of St. Kitts & Nevis. Their slopes, covered in lush rainforests, snow-white, sandy beaches and the surrounding tur-quoise tinted waters provide the ultimate setting for this record-breaking, albeit tiny island paradise: Both islets are the smallest of the Caribbean dwarf states and also rank among the world’s ten smallest states. A hot pepper sauce, made of a creative mixture of ginger, garlic, thyme and extraordinarily hot chillies that thrive in the hot and humid climate of Nevis, is simmering on the stove of Violet and Llewellyn’s house. Lemmy Pemberton digs up abandoned turtle nests with his bare hands, as he wants to be certain that all of the babies have indeed managed to make it. Members of the Turtle Group catch sea turtles in order to take their measurements and fit them with transmitters. Taxi bus-es are not only the main means of transport on St. Kitts & Nevis, they are also an artistic expression of each driver’s personality. Colourfully embellished, each taxi represents island art on wheels.
Portugal's Nature Parks
The "Parque Natural da Ria Formosa" is one of the largest lagoon conservation areas in Europe. Bordered by five natural islands. A mosaic of sandbanks, brackish and freshwater lagoons and salt marshes. In 2010, the "Ria Formosa" was chosen as one of the seven natural wonders of Portugal. It is a unique ecosystem: in the winter months, more than 20,000 birds gather here. In addition, the nature park has one of the largest seahorse populations internationally. More than half of all fish species in the Atlantic are said to spawn in the lagoon.
Portugal's Nature Parks
The Parque Nacional Peneda-Gerês is the only national park in Portugal. An area of almost 700 square kilometers, located in the extreme north of Portugal. Barren and rocky ridges in the plateaus, contrast with large forests and lush ground vegetation in deep valleys, crossed by lakes and rivers. The park is known for its oak forests, which are predominantly pedunculate and Pyrenean oaks. Among the typical animals of the park are the small Garrano ponies, a very old breed of horse and the only one in Europe that still lives in the wild.
Portugal's Nature Parks
In the southwest of Portugal lies the little known Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina. It encompasses a narrow coastal strip that runs along the coast to the south of Portugal. Sparsely populated, this coastal region, which was placed under protection in 1988, is considered one of the last intact ecosystems in Europe. The steep cliffs, the almost constant wind and high waves have ensured that mass tourism has not gained a foothold here. There are still near-natural forests and a diverse bird life.
The Heart of Hawaii
The Oahu island is the economic and cultural centre of the Hawaiian archipelago, as well as being a paradise for surfers, active holidaymakers and freedom lovers. The island is home to more than half of all natives and almost eight million foreign guests annually. Anyone searching for peace and seclusion won’t find either in Honolulu or Waikiki. Traffic congestion and a backdrop of skyscrapers belong to the town panorama. Hip cafes, galleries and young fashion firms have settled here, adding a new and modern flair to the capital. Cindy’s Lei Shoppe, the Chinatown florists, has been here for more than 30 years. This is also because the so-called Leis, the tradition of floral decoration, usually offered as a flower necklace or as a headdress, is still an important part of Hawaiian culture. Keone Nunes is well-known for his traditional tattooing skills, whereby the so-called Kakau Tattoos are virtually hammered into the skin with a hippo tooth. But Oahu is also an island of overwhelming natural beauty and a fascinating diversity on the smallest of places ...
Secrets of the North Sea
The North Sea is enigmatic. It presents itself in cool shades of grey. Yet who would have guessed that beneath the chilly waves are opulent coral gardens, courting squids, and several of the largest sea creatures on the planet?
Bosnia Herzegovina
Wild and unknown lies the still undiscovered natural paradise of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the heart of Europe. Rough mountains, dense forests and wild waterfalls characterize the picture of the untouched landscapes. Lynx, wolves and bears roam mountains and valleys. One of the last primeval forests in Europe is a retreat for many endangered animal species. Bosnia and Herzegovina is actually an undiscovered natural paradise in the middle of Europe.
Bosnia Herzegovina
The barren, karstic south of the country, Herzegovina, also impresses with its natural landscapes. One of them is the Livno field. Not only is it the largest wetland in the country, it is also the largest regularly flooded karst field in the world. About 700 wild horses live in this unique landscape. Their ancestors were working horses that were abandoned here more than 50 years ago. Another special feature of the karst landscape are the rivers with their tufa barriers. The countless waterfalls that pour over it are a unique natural phenomenon.
mareTV: Jersey
Jersey: the Channel Island is one of the areas in the UK that can boast the most hours of annual sunshine. Not that Dave Cowburn cares very much. He works in the dark, cool ducts of an old bunker from the Sec-ond World War. Here, he breeds turbot, and is very successful at it, too. The "Jersey Royal", the regal potato, has been grown on the island since 1880, fertilized with seaweed from the surrounding ocean. In the third generation, Christine Hellio manages approximately 20 hectares on the coast. "The potato is our most important export commodity", she says. It is harvested by hand, as machines cannot be used on the steep fields. The price is quite regal, too: One kilogram costs 6 Euros. Hugh Gill is one of around 240 voluntary police officers on Jersey. The Honorary Police is regarded as the oldest organised police system in the world. Hugh works for them for one week every month. On the green lanes, the streets of Jersey, the speed limit is 15 miles per hour. Jersey has an immense tidal range and with up to 13 metres difference, it is the world's third largest. This is good for a rarity: the Ormer - one of the world's most expensive species of snail.
mareTV: Mexico's Caribbean Coast
The palm tree laden beaches on Mexico's Riviera Maya on the Yucatan peninsula are endless, and the turquoise sea with its gentle Caribbean surf is a warm 25 degrees during the mild winter in this part of the world. Between Cancún and Punta Allen, where once there was little more than bushland and a few sleepy fishing villages, vibrant life has evolved during the past three decades. Richard Sowa has lived on a floating island for the past 15 years: an island he built himself out of empty plastic bottles. The bon vivant him-self sees it as a "solution for our planet's refuse problem". Off Punta Allen, a village in the bay of Sian Ka'an, Mexican Mara Coral Ley and her cousin Kim, continue to catch lobsters by adhering to the traditional method and were awarded an "Eco seal for sustainable fishing" for their trouble. It is silent under water off Isla Mujeres and it is here that the artist Jason deCaires has constructed a sculpture park. Hundreds of lifesize figures form an artificial reef at a depth of 12 metres. Fish and plants complete his work of art. The master himself is convinced: "Mother Nature is the true artist".
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
The Sichuan Tibet Highway is the road of longing for many. It leads through fascinating landscapes and remote areas up to the Himalayan Mountains. We accompany truck driver Ren Taiping on his trip to the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa, encountering pilgrims, mountain bikers and nomads on this dangerous journey.
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
The racing cyclists of Burundi have a dangerous job. But it’s a vital one for Burundi’s economy. Bicycles are the main means of transportation in one of the smallest countries in Africa. Bananas, the staple food in Burundi, are transported from the markets to a banana beer brewing factory. We accompany Tharcien, a bike courier, on his exhausting cross country trip on the Burundi Highway.
Hot Roads - The Worlds Most Dangerous Roads
The Canadian ice roads exist only for a few months in the winter when the ice is thick enough. The only time of the year when goods can be transported up to Northern Manitoba. We accompany the truckers Vlad and Hugh as well as the aboriginal Canadian Scott with his pick-up on their long journey to a village called God’s Lake. A risky trip in icy temperatures, sometimes even below - 60 degrees Celcius. The men are in constant danger of getting stuck and need to forget everything they ever learnt about driving on a highway in order to arrive safely.
Wild Prairie Man
Located in the Northern Great Plains of Canada, Grasslands National Park has been a 20 year odyssey for wildlife photographer James R. Page. For James, critters are more interesting than people and he shares some of his iconic images and experiences from this endangered ecosystem. We showcase the parks wilderness that is dominated by prairie light and dark sky, the wildlife, prairie dogs, mesmerizing landscapes, and bisons. We immerse ourselves in the wild habitat of Grasslands National Park for over a year capturing some never before scenes in the Wild Prairie. James R. Page's connection to the land and the wildlife provides an unforgettable journey into the heart of this endangered ecosystem, while Park experts help us understand its complexity.
Countries People Adventures
In southeastern Iceland, Europe's largest glacier, the gigantic Vatnajökull, covers an area of around 9,000 square kilometers. Beneath it lie the world's most active and dangerous volcanoes. This extreme landscape is as dangerous as it is fascinating: glistening white glacier tongues, lagoons covered with icebergs, bizarre green lava mountains, snow-covered volcanic cones, solidified lava flows and imposing waterfalls overwhelm everyone who gets to see them. In 2008, Icelanders declared the glacier and adjacent areas a national park, the largest in Europe. In this documentary, the team meets people who live, work or do research here: a life with the dangers of fire and ice in the overwhelming landscape of Vatnajökull National Park.
Elephants: Back to the Wild
We follow the rescue of a baby elephant. Once rescued, it will be transported by plane to the breeding station and raised with love and commitment. In order to satisfy the little pachyderm’s urge to move while in the breeding station, there is sometimes an adorable football match between the animals.
Elephants: Back to the Wild
We accompany the first steps of a two-year-old elephant who is just starting his release program. We also observe the story of two young elephants in their first night in the wilderness on their own. Captivating film footage allows us to truly learn how elephants behave in the wild.
Winter Journey to the Polar Circle (Exploring Norway on the Nordlandsbanen)
The Nordland Railway in Norway, travels from Trondheim through the isolated regions of Trendelag and Nordland. After Mo I Rana, it traverses the Arctic Circle and ends in the northern Norwegian town of Bodø. The railway covers a distance of some 729 kilometres, passing by dense, snow-covered forests, frozen fjords and snow-capped mountains. Temperatures of sometimes minus 30 degrees are quite normal here for months, on many days there is no more than five hours of daylight. Kindergarten teacher Kaia Aarstrand und her husband, Bjørnar, a technician for the municipality, live with their four boys in Aursletta, deep within the Vistenfjord, far away from civilization. All made possible by the Norwegian state: electricity, mobile phone connection and a speedboat that brings the family to school and to work. But when the Vistenfjord freezes up, the family is isolated for days. Tormod Schøning spends hours on end on his Saltfjellet whenever snowstorms occur and he has to clear the only road connection between North and South Norway with his snow plough. For the duration of his shifts, Tormod lives in the snow plough station.