Schedule

One year after Iraqi forces pushed out Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists from Mosul, the city still lies in ruins. However, it’s not just the streets and buildings that crumbled. When ISIS took over, many welcomed the new rule and joined its forces. Now their relatives are dealing with the aftermath, but people who suffered from ISIS’ brutal reign find it hard to forgive.

Modern China is a unique mix of cutting-edge technology and centuries-old tradition. It takes pride in its booming economy and rich cultural heritage. In many ways, China owes its complexity and versatility to the Silk Road, an ancient trade route established in the 2nd century BC that for hundreds of years initiated cross-cultural interaction between Eurasian civilisations.

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 US invasion of Iraq in 2003 left countless widows and orphans in its wake. On seeing how many ragged children were living in the streets of Baghdad, one man decided to do something about it. Hicham Zahabi founded the Iraqi Safe House for Creativity – an orphanage and school for boys with no viable families. Now these kids learn to read and write and take field trips to theatres rather than join criminal gangs or terrorist groups.

Three years after Jacobo Arbenz was resoundingly elected president of Guatemala, he was forced to resign by armed intervention. He was just one of many leaders to suffer a similar fate after falling foul of the US. In this film, author and academic Stephen Kinzer explores the motives, formula, and justification America uses to topple governments it doesn’t like, as illustrated in Guatemala, Libya, and Hawaii.

People on the streets of Kabul call Abbas Alizada the “Afghan Bruce Lee.” After his striking resemblance to the Chinese martial arts icon made him a social media star, he took a year to work on himself and become even more like his hero. His makeover was a smashing success. Today, Abbas uses his celebrity to inspire other young Afghan athletes, but fame has come with a price – he now must be wary every time he leaves his house. 

Maria Finoshina is on her way to the Syrian city of Aleppo. She stops en route in Lattakia, a port town which has become a refuge for many fleeing ISIS. Meanwhile in Donetsk, Ukraine, Roman Kosarev prepares his final report from the conflict zone, where he will soon be replaced by Murad Gazdiev.

RT correspondents Maria Finoshina and Murad Gazdiev report from two once beautiful cities now devastated by military conflict. Aleppo in Syria is under constant threat of jihadist invasion, while the inhabitants of Donetsk in Ukraine wait for a much-wanted ceasefire to come into force.

An assignment in eastern Ukraine begins for correspondent, Murad Gazdiev. He and the team try to reach the town of Ugligorsk, where the fighting continues despite an imminent ceasefire. Along the  way, they come under fired from Ukrainian snipers and see the devastation caused by the conflict. On the outskirts of the town, the team finds the remains a ruined tank, blown apart in the savage fighting.

The news team wants to see Donetsk airport, where the fighting reached its peak. With a minder from the breakaway regime, Murad Gazdiev and his crew pick their way through rubble that was once the airport buildings. They are constantly on the alert for incoming small arms fire and mortars. Shattered planes and airport equipment litter the landscape. All seems well, until they decide to leave.

Making their way from Donetsk airport  on the front line, Murad Gazdiev and the team come under mortar and artillery fire. The shells explode just a hundred metres away and everyone has to dive for cover. Then it takes time as they dart from cover to cover as they try to evade the Ukrainian artillery. With adrenaline still pumping, Murad returns to his hotel to present a live report on RT.

Fighting continues in the Debaltseve pocket, which is where Murad and the team are heading with DNR fighters. Along the way, they witness the destruction in a town bombed earlier in the year by Ukrainian planes. They soon come across a checkpoint that had been the scene of a deadly firefight. The area is littered with wrecked Ukrainian tanks and APCs and the battlefield is strewn with dead soldiers.

During its reign in Afghanistan, the Taliban banned the fashion, music, and film industries as sinful Western innovations. Sixteen years on, sprouts of revival are finally beginning to appear in the country’s creative landscape. This film follows Afghan women and men risking their lives to reintroduce some style and entertainment to an ultra-conservative society.

Since war broke out in Syria almost 6 years ago, a whole generation of kids has never known peace. They’ve witnessed family members being killed and their houses destroyed. Many were wounded and war has robbed them all of their childhoods. With no end in sight to the bloody conflict, their futures are uncertain.

All aboard! The legendary Kruzenshtern sets sail to take cadets from the Baltic State Fishing Fleet Academy on their first significant voyage. The group of boys and one girl gain hands-on training under sail and real life-lessons while they work as a team and overcome their fears. RTD follows the cadets on a passage that puts the young mariners through their paces.  

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.

Some call it, “The Mine”, to others, it’s “the beast”, an infamous rubbish dump in Guatemala City, Central America’s biggest capital. For thousands of poor people it provides a livelihood. Raw sewage flows through the massive landfill and twice a year, floods cause deadly landslides.

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.

One year after Iraqi forces pushed out Islamic State (ISIS) terrorists from Mosul, the city still lies in ruins. However, it’s not just the streets and buildings that crumbled. When ISIS took over, many welcomed the new rule and joined its forces. Now their relatives are dealing with the aftermath, but people who suffered from ISIS’ brutal reign find it hard to forgive.

Modern China is a unique mix of cutting-edge technology and centuries-old tradition. It takes pride in its booming economy and rich cultural heritage. In many ways, China owes its complexity and versatility to the Silk Road, an ancient trade route established in the 2nd century BC that for hundreds of years initiated cross-cultural interaction between Eurasian civilisations.

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.

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 US invasion of Iraq in 2003 left countless widows and orphans in its wake. On seeing how many ragged children were living in the streets of Baghdad, one man decided to do something about it. Hicham Zahabi founded the Iraqi Safe House for Creativity – an orphanage and school for boys with no viable families. Now these kids learn to read and write and take field trips to theatres rather than join criminal gangs or terrorist groups.

Three years after Jacobo Arbenz was resoundingly elected president of Guatemala, he was forced to resign by armed intervention. He was just one of many leaders to suffer a similar fate after falling foul of the US. In this film, author and academic Stephen Kinzer explores the motives, formula, and justification America uses to topple governments it doesn’t like, as illustrated in Guatemala, Libya, and Hawaii.

During its reign in Afghanistan, the Taliban banned the fashion, music, and film industries as sinful Western innovations. Sixteen years on, sprouts of revival are finally beginning to appear in the country’s creative landscape. This film follows Afghan women and men risking their lives to reintroduce some style and entertainment to an ultra-conservative society.

Since war broke out in Syria almost 6 years ago, a whole generation of kids has never known peace. They’ve witnessed family members being killed and their houses destroyed. Many were wounded and war has robbed them all of their childhoods. With no end in sight to the bloody conflict, their futures are uncertain.

Ziona Chana is head of the largest family in the world, leader of a religious commune in India and, according to some, he’s God himself. Hundreds of followers pray to him and worship him as an immortal deity. RT Doc visits the polygamous “New Generation” cult he founded at the foot of the Himalayas. 

All aboard! The legendary Kruzenshtern sets sail to take cadets from the Baltic State Fishing Fleet Academy on their first significant voyage. The group of boys and one girl gain hands-on training under sail and real life-lessons while they work as a team and overcome their fears. RTD follows the cadets on a passage that puts the young mariners through their paces.  

Some call it, “The Mine”, to others, it’s “the beast”, an infamous rubbish dump in Guatemala City, Central America’s biggest capital. For thousands of poor people it provides a livelihood. Raw sewage flows through the massive landfill and twice a year, floods cause deadly landslides.

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.

Tensions are running high in the theatre of another "Arabesque" competition contestant, Japanese dancer, Hayato Nisidzima. He and his colleagues at the Moscow Ballet are devoted fans of classical ballet, while their choreographer prefers contemporary dance.

After leaving the Moscow Ballet company to pursue his career in classical ballet, soloist Dmitry Prusakov joins the famous Kremlin Ballet. He now works inside the Kremlin walls, in the very heart of Moscow. This is a dream job for many dancers, but those who get in must prove themselves.

Kirill is a student in Moscow and describes himself as androgynous. He’s looking forward to a sex change, but his provincial family have trouble accepting his chosen lifestyle. After being beaten up by his brother on his last visit Kirill decides to return to bridge the gap, and brings his friend Maria for moral support. Revisiting his old school rekindles bad memories of being bullied and teased.

Kirill gets moral support from friends Maria, Marina and Ksenia, at a family meeting to clear the air. Everything turns out for the best with brother Maksim, and sister Alonya accepting him. Androgynous Stas works as a model and has the support of his father. On a visit to an old people’s home Stas is surprised how accepting the elderly are to his lifestyle.

After much thought Kirill starts the process of gender reassignment surgery. He invites his mother Natalya to Moscow to give her the news. Kirill lines up friend Veronika, who has already transitioned, and her mother to answer any of Natalya’s questions. Meanwhile Stas finds time in his busy modelling schedule to see the grandfather who brought him up.

Natalya gets to meet Veronika’s mother Marina. The heart-to-heart allays some of Natalya’s fears about Kirill’s sex change, and she begins to come to terms with having a daughter rather than a son. Stas goes to see a psychologist to talk about his fear of people making fun of him, and this prompts him to return to the park where he escaped from school bullies.