Monty Don embarks on a journey across Spain, discovering gardens across the country’s diverse landscape and exploring its rich and varied history and culture. He will cover more than 4,000 kilometres to visit some of its most interesting gardens, community projects and parks in order to get under the skin of the country. His trips range from historic imperial palaces to cutting-edge modern gardens created by a new wave of Spanish designers working more closely with the landscape and the challenges of the climate. “Spain's history and its landscapes, climates and cultures have huge diversity. And in this series, I want to get under the skin of the country by visiting as many gardens in Spain as I can so I can shed light on this nation's past, its future and its people. The result is a picture not just of its gardens but this fascinating country itself. Dramatic, proud, complex, but always compelling.”
A team of Ukrainian journalists from The Associated Press trapped in the besieged city of Mariupol struggle to continue their work documenting atrocities of the Russian invasion. As the only international reporters who remain in the city, they capture what later become defining images of the war: dying children, mass graves, the bombing of a maternity hospital, and more. Drawing on director Mstyslav Chernov's daily news dispatches and personal footage of his own country at war, the film is a vivid, harrowing account of civilians caught in the siege, as well as a window into what it's like to report from a conflict zone, and the impact of such journalism around the globe.
‘Taylor Swift The Eras Tour’ transcends a mere concert film, emerging as a cultural phenomenon on the big screen. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime, immersive experience, showcasing the history-making tour of Taylor Swift, one of the most iconic artists of our era. The film spans her entire career, from early country roots to the latest pop anthems, capturing the evolution of her music and the unique themes of each era with stunning cinematic quality. The visuals and sound design are crafted to create a breathtaking and intimate concert experience, highlighting the energy of Swift and her connection with the audience. This film is not only a celebration of Swift's musical journey but also a testament to her lasting impact on pop culture. It's a masterful blend of concert energy, personal storytelling, and cinematic splendor, making it an essential experience for anyone interested in witnessing the evolution of a music icon and the creation of a cultural milestone.
In this captivating final episode of the series we meet some incredible conservation champions on nature's front line, fighting to preserve the future of our beautiful planet. The episode opens with a dramatic rescue operation for the critically endangered black rhino, showcasing the efforts of Dumi Zwane and his team to establish a new breeding colony in a safe haven. The focus then shifts to the Centro Jambatu research center in the Andes, where Jaime Culebras works tirelessly to save the last of certain frog species. The documentary also highlights the efforts of Trang Nguyen, who bravely infiltrates the illegal wildlife trade in West Africa to protect forest elephants from ivory poachers. Meanwhile, in Vienna, Katharina Huchler undertakes a remarkable journey to reintroduce the northern bald ibis to Europe after its extinction 400 years ago. Indigenous leader Alessandra Korap's battle to preserve the Amazon rainforest from exploitation is a key focus, alongside Mohamed Nasheed's fight against climate change to save coral reefs and his country. This episode addresses the broader issue of habitat destruction, emphasizing its role as a primary driver of extinction. It poignantly demonstrates the interconnectivity of life on Earth and the critical importance of conservation efforts.
In an enthralling documentary, Dan Snow and archaeologist Raksha Dave delve into the catastrophic impact of the Black Death on Britain 700 years ago, a pandemic that extinguished around half of the population, or three million people. The duo embarks on a journey to trace the origins and merciless spread of the plague, starting from its arrival on Britain's South coast in June 1348, through the bustling trade routes that brought the disease to Melcombe Regis, Dorset. Their investigation takes them to various hotspots of the outbreak, including the Old Operating Theatre in London and Wildwood Animal Sanctuary in Kent, where they explore the role of rats in dispersing the bubonic plague. Through dramatic reconstructions and visits to places like Nottingham University's biomedical laboratories, they uncover the rapid spread and deadly impact of the plague, offering a month-by-month account of how it ravaged the country, decimating cities, towns, and villages alike. The documentary not only showcases the horrific symptoms and desperate attempts at cures through brutal medical practices of the time but also leverages cutting-edge research to explain why the Black Death remains the deadliest pandemic in history. The personal stories of victims, from princes to paupers, are brought to light, revealing the indiscriminate nature of the disease. Dan's visit to Canterbury Cathedral and Raksha's investigation into the recent discovery of mass graves beneath a tranquil London square underline the widespread desperation and devastation. Their journey through the history of the Black Death, culminating in the discovery of its indiscriminate toll and the unveiling of mass graves in London, not only sheds light on the darkest chapters of British history but also ignites a profound understanding of the tragedy, making a compelling case for why this documentary is a must-watch for anyone interested in the profound impacts of pandemics on human society.
The once-quiet suburbs of Sweden's major cities are the epicenter of a vicious turf war between rival gangs competing for the drug trade. The fierce competition has resulted in a series of tit-for-tat killings with almost daily shootings and bombings. More than 45 people have been shot dead so far this year. Paraic O'Brien steps onto the frontline of Sweden's deadly gang war, as the country becomes one of the most lethal for gun crime in the whole of Europe. From the front line of its lethal drug wars, a look at how Sweden has become one of Europe's deadliest hot spots for gun crime, with shootings often committed by children.
“Spain's history and its landscapes, climates and cultures have huge diversity. And in this series, I want to get under the skin of the country by visiting as many gardens in Spain as I can so I can shed light on this nation's past, its future and its people. The result is a picture not just of its gardens but this fascinating country itself. Dramatic, proud, complex, but always compelling.”