RT Documentary

Alaska's rich history and fusion of diverse cultures contribute to its unparalleled uniqueness. Lauren Liman's weekends unfold far beyond routine TV viewing or book reading. Instead, he retreats to a dacha by the seashore, finding solace with his family and eight grandchildren. This weekend, Lauren plans to fish with nets, following a tradition dating back 110 years and passed down from his father and grandfather. Alaska's centuries-old customs have shaped both residents and the locality alike, fostering distinct ethnic and cultural nuances. Where does this unique Alaskan culture originate? Who are the Alaskans?

The recent peace deal between the US and Taliban has again raised the issue of women human rights in Afghanistan. Women fear they’ll lose educational and career opportunities. Despite the grave risks, many get a job with the police. Often relatives reject them, saying the police service is not for women. On the other side, criminals are pressuring policewomen to give up working for the government, terrorising and regularly killing them. See the stories of those brave women who chose to put their lives at stake to achieve an independent career.

What technologies will transform our life beyond recognition in the coming years? Eye-tracking, artificial intelligence, clinical neurotechnologies, virtual reality — all of these have already entered our daily lives. Many scientists and researchers doubt whether it is a right decision to let modern technologies get so close to people, fearing it will lead to irreversible consequences. Professors from the Higher School of Economics present brand-new inventions and technologies they have made and explain how they can be integrated in everyday life. 'I think the future will be interesting. Interesting meaning it will allow everyone to realise their potential. There will be positive moments, as well as difficult, hard times. But it is inevitable,' says Alexander Chulok, director of the Statistical Studies Institute. However, people are still wondering whether artificial intelligence will replace humans and make some professions unneeded or will it help us build a better future?

Over the centuries, the Chinese have turned gift-giving into a fine art. An infinite variety of decorative techniques, used to make exquisite objects from jade statuettes to red carved lacquer boxes or cloisonné-inlaid enamel vases, have developed in order to satisfy Chinese society’s quest for the perfect gift. The choice of gifts for foreign dignitaries is particularly fraught. Unique artifacts are specially commissioned and designed for each occasion. Symbolism is particularly important in Chinese culture, and so the choice of décor is a diplomatic message in its own right. RTD goes behind the scenes to discover what goes into making the ultimate Chinese gift. During a visit to the Chinese Arts and Applied Crafts Corporation in Beijing, its designers explain how they handle the task of choosing a personalized design for an anonymous recipient, while its craftspeople painstakingly make their clients’ most ambitious dreams come to life in record time. It’s also an opportunity to find out why a full-size dragon may be too forward as a friendly overture, while a tour of the corporation’s museum yields the backstory to some historic gifts to American Presidents. Meanwhile, as entrepreneurs Chzhi Min and Chzhan Huey stroll through their mind-blowing contemporary art collection, they provide an object lesson into picking the appropriate gift for a business partner, or… your mother-in-law.

The new film St. Basil’s: An icon of Russia on RT Documentary takes the viewers inside one of Russia’s oldest and most famous churches and tells its many legends. St. Basil’s Cathedral was built on the orders of Ivan the Terrible to mark the taking down of the Kazan Khanate — a victory equal to that in WWII for the 20th century. However, from the moment it was built, mysteries surrounded it. For example, people say that because the cathedral was so beautiful, Tsar Ivan didn’t want a copy of it constructed anywhere else and poked the architects’ eyes out. There is also a legend the beautiful domes of Saint Basil were brought by the Russian troops from Kazan. People from different backgrounds notice familiar features — to some, it looks like a gothic church, while others see signatures of the Taj Mahal. The actual name St. Basil’s is not the real one. It is really called the Cathedral of the Intercession on the Moat — St. Basil’s real name — by people to honour Basil the Blessed. He was the holy fool who chose a simple life, walked barefoot and abandoned his clothes, for which God granted him the gift of miracles working. People loved him, and even Ivan the Terrible was said to be afraid of him. What other legends do the walls of St Basil’s conceal?

In Mongolia, the people observe ancient traditions and still respect the nomadic lifestyle of their ancestors. Many still live in yurts and participate in the annual Thousand Camel Festival. Additionally, people in the country are very hospitable and friendly. Many Russians came to Mongolia during the Soviet era, either as government officials, workers, or as part of educational and cultural exchanges. The documentary explores stories of three Russian families that moved to Mongolia. ‘To be honest, I knew nothing about Mongolia. And when I first arrived, we went to the Gobi Desert, and I literally fell in love with this country, because the nature here is incredibly beautiful. It just won't let you go, it's breathtaking’, recalls Elena. She moved to Ulaanbaatar more than 10 years ago. What does the daily life of the Russian community in Mongolia look like? How do these people manage to blend Russian and Mongolian culture within their families? What do they like the most about this ancient nomadic country?

Campania, known in the Roman times as Campania Felix – “fertile countryside”- is a scenic region in south western Italy; it’s famous for the historic city of Naples, the majestic Mount Vesuvius, beautiful nature and glorious food. Thanks to the volcano, the bountiful land yields several crops a year. Campania is the birthplace for many signature Italian dishes, including pizza and pasta. However, in the past three decades, Campania has developed a much less positive reputation; it’s now a highly polluted area in which the endless burning of rubbish dumps has caused parts of it to become known as the “Land of Fire”. Illegal toxic industrial waste disposal by mafia groups has poisoned the soil, ground waters and air. Some believe that the waste hasn’t just come from all over Italy but from all over Europe too, much of it is radioactive. The problem has been brushed under the carpet for way too long despite soaring rates of cancer among the local population. Doctors have sounded the alarm over unprecedented numbers and varieties of cancer in children. Two communities in Campania have the country’s highest child mortality rates. Residents of this once pristine rural region now have to undergo regular toxicology tests to establish exactly what poisons they have in their blood. An investigation into illegal toxic waste dumping began in the 90s when police officer, Roberto Mancini uncovered the ‘eco-mafia’s’ criminal activity. Despite his findings, the case was closed and local concerns were brushed aside. It wasn’t until 15 years later that the case was reopened. By then, Campania’s devastating health situation had become hard to ignore. Like many of his neighbours, Roberto Mancini died of cancer. Now though, thanks to extensive media coverage, the government is at last paying attention to local demands and has recently made illegal dumping a criminal offence. Stopping the practice though remains a challenge. Meanwhile, doctors believe that they’re only just starting to see the extent of the approaching health problems in the “Land of Fire”.

We often see astronauts as strong and successful, drawn to a life devoted to this profession. But what sacrifices do they make to turn that dream into reality? How long does it take to earn their first flight? The film tells the story of Konstantin Borisov, a Russian astronaut. Growing up surrounded by test pilots, he harboured a dream of flying into space. Although Konstantin ended up in a profession related to economics and big data, he never let go of his most cherished dream and did everything possible to edge closer to it. Watch our new documentary to unveil the challenging journey of a dreamer aspiring to be an astronaut and the obstacles he must overcome to achieve his long-awaited first spaceflight!

What can you do when you're stuck in the bath or up a tree? Why, call the Rescue Reserve, if course! Staffed by volunteers from all walks of life who've been trained by the professional rescue service, this service answers cute and poignant calls that can get overlooked by the busy professionals. RTD rides along with a crew to find out how, and why, these good Samaritans devote their weekends to getting pets and pensioners out of scrapes.

In March of 1951, Jacobo Arbenz came to power in Guatemala after having been resoundingly elected by the people. A little more than three years later, he was forced to resign in the midst of armed intervention. His reforms to redistribute unused land to poor peasants had fallen afoul of the United Fruit Company, which owned and warehoused vast tracts of Guatemalan land. The American corporation solicited the US government to overthrow the populist president and the Eisenhower administration delivered with the help of the Department of State and CIA, which happened to be led by the Dulles brothers, who had strong ties to the company. Arbenz’ ousting put an end to democracy in Guatemala for decades and replaced it by military rule. A civil war followed several years later, resulting in the deaths of over 200,000 people. The country remains one of Latin America’s most impoverished to this day. And Guatemala is but one of a myriad of countries whose fates have been catastrophically dictated by America’s imperialist interventions. In this film, American author, journalist, and academic Stephen Kinzer explores the formula and rationale the US uses to overthrow governments it doesn’t like, as well as its real motives. As illustrated in Guatemala, Libya, and Hawaii, the people whose governments were toppled by US-engineered coups are still dealing with the aftermath many years later.

Mild mannered and unassuming elementary school music teacher Mahmoud, 42, devotes his spare time to a dangerous pursuit. He disarms unexploded ordnance in his native town, Benghazi. ISIS left many Libyan cities littered with mines, bombs and a wide range of improvised explosive devices. Fed up with seeing kids being killed, maimed and orphaned, Mahmoud volunteered for a military engineering unit and began clearing hidden explosives after work. Despite losing three toes and several good friends and colleagues in four years, this father to four young daughters is convinced that he’s confronting a problem that must be resolved. Marei Abdulaziz Jibreel shares a similar story. As a long standing software engineer with the Central Bank of Libya, he could easily sit back and enjoy a comfortable life. Nevertheless, he too spends his free time making explosives safe. He might even be called away during work hours if a report comes through. On the question of responsibility for the situation in his country, Marei lays the blame squarely on the organization that greenlighted the military intervention which led to his country’s destruction. “It's your fault... the UN’s, that kids from all nations are dying ... are dying every day,” he says.

Turning landfills into urban parks may sound like a great idea, but when it comes to those scattered around Moscow, first they need to be reclaimed – that is, turned from toxic dumps, leaching chemicals into the ground and water supply, into safe sites. The Moscow regional government is promoting more waste incinerators, but locals have concerns over safety and the smell.

Ghana’s dancing teacher, Percy Jackson, became a social media sensation when he started posting videos online of him dancing with his pupils. Percy Sackey, as he is known in real life, teaches creative arts, ICT (Information and communications technology) and maths to children at Twenedurase Presby Primary school in the city of Kwahu Obo, in the country’s eastern region. “I use dance to make learning easier and school more attractive,” he explains. In a country where teaching methods have been described as military-like, Percy’s approach is unconventional. But for the dance-mad young man, it makes sense to use this key part of Ghanaian culture: “When we go to church, we are dancing, when we go to a funeral, we are dancing, even in bed we are dancing, because it’s part of us. So what is wrong when we use it as a tool in class?” Percy Sackey shows RTD how his methods work to win the children’s trust and create happy associations with learning. The teacher engages with children on the way to school, teaches dance moves to the football team and gives his pupils a maths lesson they will never forget. He also gets the children to learn the region’s traditional dances so they are connected to their heritage. Percy Jackson keeps up with his passion outside of school hours, as he takes up dance challenges, films new videos and even attends a splendid royal funeral. For his mother, her boisterous baby boy has fulfilled his promise. As for Percy, he now wants to take his dance crusade worldwide.

In 1945 the Soviet Union defeated Nazi Germany and put an end to the Nazis atrocities at the cost of 27 million lives of the Soviet people. Now 80 years later, the same nationalist ideas the Soviet people had been fighting against is starting to spread across Ukraine. History books in Ukraine are being rewritten, with nationalist leaders Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevich being made new role models, while the monuments of WWII heroes are being demolished as in the case of General Nikolay Vatutin. The First Ukrainian Front liberated Kiev in November 1943 under his command. Tragically, the General was fatally wounded in the crossfire with the Ukrainian nationalists and he eventually died at the hospital. The monument erected in his honor in 1948, was taken down by the nationalists descendants. As scholars flip through the history of Nazism during WWII, they find more and more resemblance to what is currently happening in Ukraine. For instance, the Munich Pact of 1938 signed by Germany, Italy, Great Britain, and France required Czechoslovakia to surrender its border regions and defenses (the so-called Sudetenland) to Nazi Germany. By signing this, European countries tried to protect themselves from the imminent German expansion. Almost the same thing happened in 2014 with the Minsk Agreements signed by Russia, Ukraine and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), with France and Germany at the helm, as they sought to end the civil war in Donbass but the agreements were never fully implemented and the hostilities never stopped. Watch the documentary to find out if the Nazism is really making a comeback in Ukraine and will history repeat itself?

The current political situation has made Serbia choose between upholding a friendly relationship with Russia or giving in to the West and imposing sanctions on Russia. And it seems people have made a choice. The wave of Russophobia that swept across the world has shocked Serbs. 'Russophobia also means Serbophobia,' says film director Emir Kusturitсa. He is convinced 'about 70-80% of Serbians are pro-Russian.' The brotherhood of the two Slavic countries promises to withstand the pressure of anti-Russian sanctions. In most cases, the ordinary people of Serbia are highly supportive of Russian politics and methods of negotiation. However, Serbian politicians are not always on the same page as the people. After the last presidential elections, Serbia’s vote against Russia in the United Nations was an unexpected move. Serbian authorities claim there had been pressure from Europe. They’re also convinced Serbia will impose sanctions against Moscow. So the people may be For Russia, but it’s the politicians who decide. 'Anti-Russian sanctions are more symbolic than really useful,' adds Kusturitсa. Today Serbia is safe from the bombs, but it remembers all too well what happened when NATO came to our territory. What choice will the country make in the end?

Eden Village is a tiny home community for chronically homeless with a disability in Springfield, Missouri. There are dozens of fully-furnished homes built for people who had no roof over their head for a long time. Eden Village is a brainchild of Linda Brown and her husband David, who wondered why some people end up on the streets. They took on a mission to provide the homeless with a permanent housing and support from community. Residents pay $300 a month to live in Eden Village. They also can’t use drugs if they want to stay in their homes. Still, there are more people on the waiting list than there are homes in the community. In the meantime, people can stay at the Revive 66 nightly rental. Over half a million Americans are homeless and millions more are ‘a paycheck away’ from becoming homeless. Substance abuse, addiction, disability, mental health problems, poverty- a multitude of things can make a person homeless. The documentary features heartbreaking stories of the Eden Village residents about how they lost their home and how it feels to start anew. In the meantime, founders of Eden Village share their views on why homelessness is a community problem and why it the problem has to become visible. Find out how they are making people pay attention to homeless people.

Rhythmic gymnastics originated in Russia. The country has also been setting the bar in the sport for many years. Russian rhythmic gymnasts are famous all over the world and their legendary coach Irina Viner is said to have had a revolutionary impact. She has trained many famous athletes and created routines for them that have wowed international judges. Her love for children and insistence on strict discipline combine perfectly to get outstanding results from her gymnasts. She always strives to find an individual approach to each of her athletes and to figure out the best way to motivate them. Her grateful students appreciate her efforts and are prepared to work their utmost to please their coach and make her proud. A gymnast’s career is typically over by the time she turns 21-22 years old. Until then she must put her whole life on hold if she wants to achieve outstanding results in the sport. The gruelling training schedule leaves young women no time for normal teenage activities, even dating. They also have to adhere to a strict diet as every gymnast is given a personal weight limit which she must not exceed. It takes a lot of stamina and resilience to stay on top of their game; and often hard work can do more for an athlete than being naturally gifted. But they all believe it’s worth it. For athletes to compete professionally, rhythmic gymnastics must become an obsession. They love this sport with all their hearts and are prepared to make the sacrifices. Such dedication is rewarded with top places on world podiums and international recognition. Their role model is Alina Kabaeva, winner of all the Grand Slam titles, and whose multiple achievements mean her name has been written into the history of world rhythmic gymnastics forever. Nowadays Alina organises rhythmic gymnastics festivals, allowing children who enjoy this sport to showcase their talents. These events are very inclusive and athletic ability is no barrier to taking part. At the same time, they help young hopefuls to get noticed and have the potential to kick-start a child’s career in the sport.

Tiny Migingo is one of the most densely populated islands in the world. In the middle of Lake Victoria, it’s home to Ugandan and Kenyan fishermen and their families. RT Doc’s Peter Scott paid a visit to find out how more than a thousand people live on a rock half the size of a football pitch.

“He [Oppenheimer, often referred to as the 'father of the atomic bomb'] spent the rest of his life post-1945, trying to grapple with the implications of what he had produced as a scientist," said Kai Bird, co-author of Oppenheimer's biography book. Today, over 300 detection stations operate globally under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Utilising seismic, radionuclide, hydroacoustic, and infrasound technologies, these stations capture echoes of nuclear tests worldwide. Watch our new documentary to understand the inner workings of the International Monitoring System and discover why the future of this System appears to be under threat.

There is no law or moral code for youngsters in Matadi’s impoverished neighbourhoods. In their teenage years, they’ve already earned a reputation as cruel outlaws who prowl the streets, steal from locals, extort money from businesses and fight each other. They are known as Kulunas – members of youth gangs infesting Congolese cities. ‘Sans Loi’ (Outlaws) is one of the gangs whose members, aged 15-17, terrorise local inhabitants. The teenagers hang around, take drugs and make money by charging people to use a public toilet and running protection rackets. Matadi residents say Kulunas deserve punishment and often don’t wait for the police to enforce justice as lynching has become commonplace. In response, Kulunas like the Outlaws use magic charms for protection against rivals and eat cat meat, which they say gives them strength. RTD goes to the Democratic Republic of Congo to meet the Outlaw gang members and their older mentors from another group for more about Kuluna social epidemic. Young men take us to their neighbourhoods and show how they pass time offering a shocking insight into their world of violence and drugs.

Since the beginning of Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, the country has been subjected to thousands of sanctions from Europe and the US. With international banking transactions suspended and supply chains disrupted, Russian businesses had to regroup and look for new ways to keep functioning. Many succeeded in finding new ways to organise their operations; some even saw sanctions as a blessing in disguise since they helped become less dependent on foreign resources and technology. Some companies had the experience of surviving a crisis. A footwear production company in Dagestan survived 2008 and 2014 and even expanded its operations. So did another company, a dairy in the city of Vladimir owned by a British farmer John Kapiski. In 2014, when many foreign dairy exports were banned, they managed to open a cheese-making facility and produce 40 types of cheese, butter and yoghurt. They admit now they rely heavily on foreign medications and parts but see this as a challenge and are going to find a way. A Moscow-based furniture producer has suffered a decline in publicity after social media was closed, but can't deny furniture giants leaving the Russian market are an advantage. Now the team is trying to revise its product range, add new items or redesign existing ones to cut costs. The overall sentiment was best expressed by Murad Dzhalaev, a shoe factory owner from Dagestan, “ We are currently in good spirits and ready to work. We’re not afraid of any crisis because we’ve been through them before. So I think we’ll power through.”

The nationalist movement in Ukraine didn’t just happen; it took years to build. It's been growing for years, nurtured by western curators and supported by western funds. By the beginning of the Maidan, an entire network of neo-nazi units had already been up and running in Ukraine, but the Ukrainian government didn’t prosecute them. Ready and able military and terrorist units dispersed and showed up at anti-Maidan meetings in Ukraine’s cities. The years 2019 and 2020 saw meetings and protests in Kiev demanding the denial of special status for the DNR and LNR breakaway regions. One of its main goals was to form an ideology that would dehumanise Russians and break all ties that existed for decades before. Initially, Russians weren't seen as a minority in Ukraine, but the anti-Russian sentiment gradually became overwhelming. Nationalists have been taught how to lead a war on social media, eventually launching a guided communication battle against the Russian people. Stepan Bandera was the head of the Ukrainian nationalist organisation in 1929. In 1934, the Gestapo accepted the Berlin chapter of the organisation — he organised terrorist acts, killing officials. In 1941, the Ukrainian nationalist organisation was responsible for the biggest Jewish pogrom in Lvov, killing about 7,000 people. Yet, in 2010, Stepan Bandera was pronounced a national hero, with torch-lit marches in his honour ever since.

When the war started in Syria, people had little time for art. As a result, artists’ earnings collapsed. Musicians couldn’t get spare parts for their instruments from manufacturers applying sanctions. Their families lived in fear of shelling and snipers. Most emigrated because they wanted to get creative again or to feel safe. RTD meets those who decided to fight the war with art. The message of the Members of the Dare collective is: “If you have a dream, take the first step”. The videographer who “takes away the bad thoughts and puts in the good”. The dancer who tangoes barefoot in street fountains, to the disapproval of some. With RTD, explore the tunnels where Islamic rebels Jaysh-al-Islam made shells that destroyed ancient architectural treasures. Here, a self-taught conscript and his team of professionals sculpted human faces into its walls. Listen to the percussionist who taught students under fire, and who repairs instruments, and to the jazz orchestra conductor who left for Germany to play with his bandmates, but came back because he could only create on his native soil. As the gunfire dies down and life gets back to normal, these artistic warriors keep up their battle for the human spirit.

After decades of political antagonism with the West, the Soviet Union made its first Olympic appearance in the 1952 Summer Games in Helsinki.The USSR’s team shocked the world, leaving European countries and Australia in the dust, coming in second only to the USA. It was hard to believe that some of the gold medal winners had been wounded in World War II or nearly starved during the siege of Leningrad. A number had even survived multiple Nazi concentration camps. Often underweight and ill-equipped, these spirited young men and women ended up taking 20 Gold, 30 Silver, and 19 Bronze. Two of this legendary team’s members describe how they overcame hardships to achieve remarkable victories for their country.

Angeles City in the Philippines is a well-known sex tourism destination. There used to be an American air base here, but now it’s popular among mainly retired men who travel in search of sex for sale. Hundreds of local young women work in the bars and night clubs offering additional services for the money they desperately need to make ends meet and feed their families. The real victims though are the sex workers’ children, conceived by foreign travellers. These children immediately stand out in the crowd, being of mixed-race here almost certainly means a child is the product of a liaison between a sex tourist and a call girl. They may stand out but they’re not unusual, within their communities there are many children of the sex trade. In most cases, the kids have never met their fathers who, after visiting for a brief holiday, either don’t know or care that their own offspring have been left behind. The burden of raising the children rests entirely on the shoulders of the already struggling mothers. An RT Doc film crew visits Angeles City to meet the children abandoned by foreign sex tourist fathers. This programme reveals their lives and dreams and some heartfelt messages for the estranged fathers.