Schedule

The first instalment of the Panama Chronicles explores the origin of the hack and shows how the stolen information made its way to the public. It takes a look at ICIJ, the group of journalists that led the investigation, as well as their choice of material to publish. You’ll also meet some of the victims and learn how their lives were affected. 

The second instalment of the Panama Chronicles takes an in-depth look at the offshore legal firm whose data was hacked and its founders. It also speculates on who could have stolen the information, as well as how and why. Finally, the film looks at who might have ultimately been behind the leak and explores possible motivations.

Hoping to inspire disabled children to aim high, three men with physical disabilities take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. At a towering 5895 m above sea level, the Tanzanian peak is the highest mountain in Africa.

Aleksandr Suvorov graduated with a PhD from Moscow State University's department of psychology, and later went on to become a professor and work with children who are deaf and blind. While these are impressive achievements, what makes them truly remarkable is that Dr. Suvorov is both deaf and blind himself, and must communicate primarily by touch. 

For three decades, the picturesque and fertile land in the foothills of Italy’s Mount Vesuvius has been contaminated by toxic waste, illegally buried and burnt here by mafia gangs. The resulting pollution caused a dramatic increase in cancer among the local population, including children.

According to a medieval Albanian tradition, a woman can take a man’s place as the head of a family if she renounces her womanhood, following strict rules laid down by a centuries-old code. Surprisingly, a few women, known as "sworn virgins" still observe the custom.

Members of Japan’s feared Yakuza crime syndicate are often portrayed as grim-faced professional killers in sharp black suits and dark glasses, but the reality is somewhat different. Meet Mr. Makoto, a tubby tattooed Yakuza mobster and ‘old-fashioned guy’ who shows how the life of a gangster in modern-day Japan ain’t what it used to be. 

Becoming a professional ballerina is a journey that begins at a young age and is extremely competitive. We meet young girls devoting their lives to the profession, as well as the women, who end up on the very top, performing on stage at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.

Known as hikikomori, the phenomenon of social withdrawal has become increasingly commonplace in Japan. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese shut themselves away, spending months and years in isolation. But as time goes by, the hikikomori are forced to face the harsh realities of life. Luckily, people are helping to draw them out. RTD meets the hikikomori and a doctor getting the recluses back on their feet.

On an island far from the mainland, the Valaam monastery is one of the Russian Orthodox Church's holiest and most isolated sites.

The Giant Panda has been a symbol of wildlife protection for more than 50 years. It has survived in just one country: China, and its future is constantly threatened by human activity and climate change. In September 2016, the adorable bamboo bear was taken off the endangered species list.

Café Sheroes, in the Indian city of Agra, is more than just a tea shop: it’s a place that brings acid attack victims together, helping young women start new lives after their faces have been ruined maliciously, often by unsuccessful suitors.

For years, music was banned in Afghanistan as sinful, but now one school for children is planting the seeds for traditional Afghan music’s rebirth. Conservative views have left their mark, however, and the school and its young musicians face threats from some elements in society.

The Orphan Bear Rescue Centre in Russia saves abandoned bear cubs and later releases them back into the wild. However, for bears to have a chance to resume their life in the forest, they must not become accustomed to people. With that in mind, the bear rescuers have worked out a special method of looking after their fluffy fosterlings. 

Sometimes it seems that their main difference from the others is that they have bigger hearts. Just like children, people with Down syndrome are sincere, naive and spontaneous, and these rare qualities help them excel in performing at this unusual theater.

South Sudan in Africa has been in a state of civil war since 2013. Hundreds of thousands of people have fallen victim to the ongoing hostilities. The desolation of war has brought famine to this normally fertile land. In this drastic situation, an international team at a Red Cross hospital in the town of Kodok fights to save the lives of those wounded, ill, or starving, as well as help reunite families separated by the conflict.

Six months ago RTD first visited the village of Kalachi in Kazakhstan, where people are affected by a mysterious “sleeping sickness”. Have the scientists come any closer to identifying the cause of the curious affliction? RTD returns to the “sleepy hollow” to find out.

Bright outfits, accessories, and evening make-up... On an Indian street of red lanterns, girls as young as 14 dance for male patrons. But behind the ‘dancing’ lurks prostitution. The girls’ stories are varied: some need the money; others were sold into sex slavery, or coerced into ‘dancing’ by beatings. Every evening, they wait for customers to come choose which girl will entertain them that night. 

The first instalment of the Panama Chronicles explores the origin of the hack and shows how the stolen information made its way to the public. It takes a look at ICIJ, the group of journalists that led the investigation, as well as their choice of material to publish. You’ll also meet some of the victims and learn how their lives were affected. 

The second instalment of the Panama Chronicles takes an in-depth look at the offshore legal firm whose data was hacked and its founders. It also speculates on who could have stolen the information, as well as how and why. Finally, the film looks at who might have ultimately been behind the leak and explores possible motivations.

Anastasia is preparing to have her first baby. She's excited about going through the experience of labour and giving birth. She sees it as a privilege rather than an ordeal. Meanwhile, it's Elena's second time. She wanted a C-section, but the doctors decided she should give birth naturally. Unfortunately, Elena won’t get an epidural and will have to tough it out.

Never has homelessness in America's biggest city been more of a problem, and yet more than ever, the homeless are being treated like criminals. Hear from New Yorkers who have no place to call home.

Tempers flare as Russian drillers and foreign specialists spar over how to lower a massive compressor into the borehole – and a woman putting her 2 cents in doesn’t help. Meanwhile, the rig’s doctor must treat a very unusual injury.

Hoping to inspire disabled children to aim high, three men with physical disabilities take on the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. At a towering 5895 m above sea level, the Tanzanian peak is the highest mountain in Africa.

Aleksandr Suvorov graduated with a PhD from Moscow State University's department of psychology, and later went on to become a professor and work with children who are deaf and blind. While these are impressive achievements, what makes them truly remarkable is that Dr. Suvorov is both deaf and blind himself, and must communicate primarily by touch. 

According to a medieval Albanian tradition, a woman can take a man’s place as the head of a family if she renounces her womanhood, following strict rules laid down by a centuries-old code. Surprisingly, a few women, known as "sworn virgins" still observe the custom.

Becoming a professional ballerina is a journey that begins at a young age and is extremely competitive. We meet young girls devoting their lives to the profession, as well as the women, who end up on the very top, performing on stage at the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg.

Known as hikikomori, the phenomenon of social withdrawal has become increasingly commonplace in Japan. Hundreds of thousands of Japanese shut themselves away, spending months and years in isolation. But as time goes by, the hikikomori are forced to face the harsh realities of life. Luckily, people are helping to draw them out. RTD meets the hikikomori and a doctor getting the recluses back on their feet.

On an island far from the mainland, the Valaam monastery is one of the Russian Orthodox Church's holiest and most isolated sites.

The Giant Panda has been a symbol of wildlife protection for more than 50 years. It has survived in just one country: China, and its future is constantly threatened by human activity and climate change. In September 2016, the adorable bamboo bear was taken off the endangered species list.

Café Sheroes, in the Indian city of Agra, is more than just a tea shop: it’s a place that brings acid attack victims together, helping young women start new lives after their faces have been ruined maliciously, often by unsuccessful suitors.

The Orphan Bear Rescue Centre in Russia saves abandoned bear cubs and later releases them back into the wild. However, for bears to have a chance to resume their life in the forest, they must not become accustomed to people. With that in mind, the bear rescuers have worked out a special method of looking after their fluffy fosterlings. 

South Sudan in Africa has been in a state of civil war since 2013. Hundreds of thousands of people have fallen victim to the ongoing hostilities. The desolation of war has brought famine to this normally fertile land. In this drastic situation, an international team at a Red Cross hospital in the town of Kodok fights to save the lives of those wounded, ill, or starving, as well as help reunite families separated by the conflict.

Sometimes it seems that their main difference from the others is that they have bigger hearts. Just like children, people with Down syndrome are sincere, naive and spontaneous, and these rare qualities help them excel in performing at this unusual theater.

Anastasia is preparing to have her first baby. She's excited about going through the experience of labour and giving birth. She sees it as a privilege rather than an ordeal. Meanwhile, it's Elena's second time. She wanted a C-section, but the doctors decided she should give birth naturally. Unfortunately, Elena won’t get an epidural and will have to tough it out.

Six months ago RTD first visited the village of Kalachi in Kazakhstan, where people are affected by a mysterious “sleeping sickness”. Have the scientists come any closer to identifying the cause of the curious affliction? RTD returns to the “sleepy hollow” to find out.

Tempers flare as Russian drillers and foreign specialists spar over how to lower a massive compressor into the borehole – and a woman putting her 2 cents in doesn’t help. Meanwhile, the rig’s doctor must treat a very unusual injury.

A cathedral founded on pure faith and its creator who’s dedicated more than 50 years of his life to building it. 91-year-old Don Justo, of the small Spanish town of Mejorada del Campo, is a former monk. On a whim and a dream he decided to build a monumental house of God and since 1961, he’s been doing just that using scrap, recycled building materials and as much good will as he can find.

Bright outfits, accessories, and evening make-up... On an Indian street of red lanterns, girls as young as 14 dance for male patrons. But behind the ‘dancing’ lurks prostitution. The girls’ stories are varied: some need the money; others were sold into sex slavery, or coerced into ‘dancing’ by beatings. Every evening, they wait for customers to come choose which girl will entertain them that night. 

Never has homelessness in America's biggest city been more of a problem, and yet more than ever, the homeless are being treated like criminals. Hear from New Yorkers who have no place to call home.

For years, music was banned in Afghanistan as sinful, but now one school for children is planting the seeds for traditional Afghan music’s rebirth. Conservative views have left their mark, however, and the school and its young musicians face threats from some elements in society.