From DW Documentary. California is one of the most active earthquake regions in the world. The San Andreas Fault, a 1,300-kilometer-long fracture zone in the earth’s crust, runs through the cities of San Francisco and Los Angeles. Scientists fear a major earthquake. The San Andreas Fault is currently the most strongly observed geological phenomenon in…

From DW Documentary. The members of the "Nice Ladies" cheerleading squad were used to being the oldest at competitions. But for these women from Kharkiv, Ukraine, being in this team was never just about winning or exercise. It always meant much more. Then Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine – and their friendship and…

From DW Documentary. In 1945, the Swedish Red Cross organized the White Buses humanitarian mission to rescue prisoners from Nazi concentration camps. A deal was made with SS chief Heinrich Himmler as Germany’s defeat became inevitable. With no safe passage guaranteed, the buses were painted white with red crosses to protect them on the roads.…

From DW Documentary. Officially, Transnistria is part of the Republic of Moldova. But in practice, it is a state within a state. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the region seceded in a bloody civil war. It has its own flag, currency and government. The self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria is not internationally recognized. But…

From DW Documentary. We are 30 times more likely to laugh if we are with others. Laughter can help us bond, ease pain, reduce stress, and can even help recovery. Researchers are uncovering how this everyday behavior shapes our health and relationships. Watch the full documentary “Superpower laughter – How humor makes us strong” on…

From DW Documentary. The Dalai Lama is the spiritual leader of Tibet. But thanks to his tireless commitment to peace and human rights, he is also one of the most famous personalities in contemporary history. This documentary tells the story of how the son of a simple farming family became the spiritual leader of the…

From DW Documentary. In the global North, climate change is often still something very abstract. For people in countries like India or the Philippines, however, it is already very real. Extreme heat dominates everyday life. Heavy rain washes away houses and roads. Joan Baking lives with her family in a cemetery in the Philippine capital…

From DW Documentary. The Maya people in Belize have a rich culture and history, which they have had to fight to keep alive. European colonizers worked hard to suppress the Mayan language so much so that the writing system almost completely disappeared. Luckily, there are families like Frank Tzib’s, who still know how to read…

From DW Documentary. Moldova – a small country caught between East and West, between Russia and the EU. Many young people are torn between staying and leaving, resignation and activism. On September 28, they will cast their vote for which path their country will take. Bordered by EU-member Romania on the west and Ukraine to…

From DW Documentary. In Brazil, more and more women are becoming victims of femicide. There are 1,500 cases per year — with most victims killed by a partner or ex-partner. Christiane Gomes describes the moment when her partner came into the bathroom with a gun and shot her in the face: "Where did all this…

From DW Documentary. Gangs are using social media to recruit teenagers to carry out crimes, such as drug dealing, assaults, and even murder. They use coded language and “gamification” strategies to present the illegal acts as "challenges" and downplay the risks. How vulnerable are teenagers to these tactics? Watch the full documentary “How teens are…

From DW Documentary. On 8 December 8 2024, Syria’s dictator Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia with his family. The film, which was shot before and after the fall of the regime, shows why the dictatorship collapsed so quickly and what hopes Syrians have today. Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000, after the death of…

From DW Documentary. Our immune system protects us from pathogens, harmful substances and malignant cell changes. For humans, it is indispensable. This film examines the immune system and shows how it can be strengthened – as well as how it can fail. The immune system does not have a fixed location. Rather, it is comprised…

From DW Documentary. Following arrival in Germany, what’s next? Three people help migrants to build a new life. They advise and translate. They create prospects and encourage people. They live for their commitment – and get a lot back. Ever since Ukrainian Anhelina Leshak moved to southern Germany, she‘s been helping other refugees. She‘s often…

From DW Documentary. Many still believe that Maya culture is completely extinct, but in Belize, Maya practices are being actively preserved. Beyond the environmental protection of forests, ancient knowledge is also being kept alive. Maria Garcia’s fight is a part of this struggle. The land is home to medicinal plants and traditional Maya healing practices…

From DW Documentary. The dangers facing journalists are increasing worldwide. This not only applies to war situations: Journalists are also increasingly exposed to physical violence and threats in peacetime. How can journalists protect themselves and continue to do their work? French journalist Laurent Richard is committed to ensuring that investigative journalists network internationally. He wants…

From DW Documentary. Germany is trying to recruit people from abroad to fill the skilled labor shortage. But many refugees and migrants located in the country struggle to find work. Voluntary initiatives and companies are trying to support migrants by helping them overcome bureaucratic obstacles and make professional contacts. Germany is in urgent need of…

From DW Documentary. Hundred of thousands of mines lie hidden in the village of Kamianka in East Ukraine. Despite the danger, some want to stay and rebuild their homes. Vasyl and Tatyana are a retired couple from Kamianka in eastern Ukraine. Both lost legs in mine explosions and now live with prosthetics. Their house and…

From DW Documentary. It was one of the most dangerous rescue operations of the Second World War. In 1945, 75 white buses set off from Malmö, Sweden, on a journey through destroyed Germany. They liberated between 15,000 and 20,000 concentration camp prisoners. Marianne Prager’s mother was among them. 80 years after the end of the…

From DW Documentary. Eighty years after the end of World War II, Japan is reinforcing its defenses on Okinawa as tensions rise in the region. The island sits close to Taiwan, where China has stepped up military drills, making it a strategically vital location. The U.S. has kept major bases on Okinawa for decades. But…

From DW Documentary. Where do your ancestors come from? Who do you look like? Will you stay healthy? Today, it seems that all these questions can be answered with the help of a personal DNA analysis. However, the commercialization of our genetic data is looming. Anyone can get an initial interpretation of their genes on…

From DW Documentary. John Mbano from Tanzania is determined to find the remains of his great-grandfather. Songea Mbano was murdered by the German colonial army. For generations, his family has mourned at an empty, plundered grave. More than a hundred years ago, Songea Mbano’s skull was brought to Germany for racist research purposes. John and…

From DW Documentary. Norway should be the perfect home for Atlantic salmon. The country’s rivers and fjords have nurtured the species for centuries. But today, wild salmon are in steep decline. Climate change, hydroelectric dams, and human industry are pushing them closer to extinction. A major driver of the decline is open-net salmon farming. Millions…

From DW Documentary. There are tens of thousands of Mayan descendants in Belize. They’re fighting for the survival of their traditions. Maria Garcia, for example, preserves Mayan knowledge of medicinal plants. But the rainforest where the plants grow is in danger. It’s the dry season in Belize: 40-degree heat, not a drop of rain for…