From DW Documentary. A win for wildlife, a loss for humans. African nature reserves are restricting indigenous peoples’ access to rivers and forests — and, in doing so, are endangering their very existence. In the name of protecting rhinos, lions and gorillas, Africa’s governments are handing over control of ever-larger swathes of land to NGOs…

From DW Documentary. The concept of open prisons is one approach within criminal justice systems aimed at preparing inmates for life after release. Instead of strict confinement, these facilities allow for work, external contact, and gradual reintegration. In Germany, researchers have compared different forms of incarceration over several years to better understand how prison conditions…

From DW Documentary. What many smartphone users know: the apps on their phones collect detailed location data. What few people know: the information often ends up with a global network of data brokers and advertising companies. The data in question reveals where people live and work – up to and including information about visits to…

From DW Documentary. India’s widows suffer from exclusion and stigmatization. For decades, they have been fighting for more rights, with the help of NGOs. For the first time, widows are allowed to celebrate the festival of colors at the Gopinath Temple – a breakthrough. India is a country where ancient traditions are still alive. One…

From DW Documentary. Constant stimuli, digital distractions – how can we stay focused these days? Does talent, training, or technology help? Neuroscientists and mental coaches show how concentration works in the brain. In an increasingly demanding world, we seem to be able to concentrate less and less. How does our brain manage to focus, even…

From DW Documentary. For over 70 years, scientists have been working to recreate this process on Earth. Nuclear fusion has the potential to provide clean, almost limitless energy by fusing tiny particles together and releasing enormous power. But achieving it requires extreme conditions and advanced technology. #documentary #dwdocumentary #dwdocs #nuclearpower #nuclearenergy ______ DW Documentary gives…

From DW Documentary. All organisms harbor an invisible, omnipresent enemy: plastic. Researchers worldwide have shown that plastic particles can also be detected in humans – in organs and bodily fluids. The documentary shows the current state of research on the harmfulness of microplastics and the consequences for the human species. Micro- and nanoplastics pollute the…

From DW Documentary. In the Alps, villages are increasingly threatened by flows of mud and debris. The problem reached new heights in 2025, when the Swiss mountain village of Blatten was nearly completely buried by a huge avalanche. Climate change is making mudslides and flash floods a growing threat to people and infrastructure, as storms…

From DW Documentary. 2024 was a record year for Norwegian tourism, with almost 38.6 million overnight stays. The country’s cuisine, culture, and unique destinations entice visitors. But tourism brings its own problems. At a campsite in Stavanger, Per Arne Haarr is often forced to turn away tourists during the high season. Because reservations can’t be…

From DW Documentary. In Germany, more than half of released prisoners are convicted again within years. What drives this pattern is still debated. Researchers and practitioners point to a combination of factors, including personal history, social environment, and the conditions inside prisons themselves. Watch “Abolish prisons? – What works better than incarceration” on the DW…

From DW Documentary. In Sudan, the government is waging a bloody civil war against rebels. An estimated 12 million people have fled their homes, either to destinations within the country or to neighboring states. Many of them are seeking help in Chad. It is arguably the world’s biggest humanitarian crisis – yet the civil war…

From DW Documentary. More than 140 years after its invention, the car remains a source of fascination for many people. In Germany, for example, there are more vehicles on the road than ever before. For some, the car is a cult object. But it also deeply polarizing. Germany is considered the birthplace of the automobile.…

From DW Documentary. ‘Stolpersteine’, or ‘stumbling stones’ placed in the pavement commemorate the victims of Nazism. The squares are made of brass and measure 10cm x 10cm. More than 100,000 of these memorial plaques have been laid in over 30 countries. It’s the largest decentralized memorial in the world. The project, launched in the 1990s…

From DW Documentary. The Moon is thought to have formed when a Mars-sized object collided with the young Earth. The impact flung debris out into space, which gradually condensed to create the Moon. The Moon’s gravitational pull then generated tides, creating constantly shifting cycles of wet and dry conditions. These harsh environments forced early life…

From DW Documentary. Chris lives in North Carolina (USA) with his girlfriend Mimi, a life-size sex doll. He communicates with her using an AI app. A clear-eyed, fascinating look at AI and its social consequences. Chris, a petrol station attendant in his 30s, lives with his girlfriend Mimi, a life-size love doll, in a small…

From DW Documentary. Ransomware poses an existential threat to businesses. It’s a form of cybercrime that’s a highly professional industry. The criminals operate like a business – by infiltrating systems, encrypting data, and extorting money. Those who refuse to pay, face operational shutdown, loss of data, and bankruptcy. Many criminal groups have a division of…

From DW Documentary. It was 2015 when Nour Elhouda Al Ahmad Alhammash and her family arrived in eastern Germany. After fleeing Syria, the then nine-year-old was enrolled in the first grade at a school in the village of Golzow, Brandenburg. In the summer of 2015, Nour Elhouda Al Ahmad Alhammash, the child of a refugee…

From DW Documentary. The plural of octopus isn’t “octopi,” it’s actually octopuses. But that’s far from the most fascinating thing about them. Octopuses are incredibly smart and well adapted for survival. They’ve been around for over 330 million years, long before dinosaurs roamed the Earth, giving them a huge evolutionary head start. Together with their…

From DW Documentary. Haiti gained independence from France in 1804 after a rebellion by the enslaved population. However, the French government forced the young state to make drastic financial reparations to its former colonists. On 1 January 1804, Haitian slaves achieved the unimaginable. They drove out the French colonists and declared their independence. Two centuries…

From DW Documentary. Gothic architecture emerged in France in the 12th century. This architectural style revolutionized church construction, creating cathedrals that soared skywards. But where did the knowledge and technology for building these monuments come from? Light floods the interiors of Gothic cathedrals, which have colorful windows instead of solid walls. All told, the windows…

From DW Documentary. Almost 40% of the planet is covered by natural grasslands. In places like the Alps, these landscapes are a "desert" for humans. Why? Because we can’t eat grass, and the steep slopes make plowing for crops impossible. Plowing here wouldn’t just be hard—it would trigger devastating soil erosion. This is where the…

From DW Documentary. Approximately 58,000 people are currently incarcerated in German prisons. Over half of them reoffend after their release. These statistics raise doubts about the prison system. Is something fundamentally wrong with German prisons? To understand what prison does to people, journalist Frank Seibert voluntarily goes to jail. For a few hours, a cell…

From DW Documentary. Dan Brown’s novel "The Da Vinci Code” is one of the century’s most successful thrillers worldwide. But how much truth is behind the claims made in the book – and what is pure fiction? The novel "The Da Vinci Code” by American author Dan Brown has sold around 80 million copies since…

From DW Documentary. A growing shift is reshaping Italy’s countryside. Data from the Italian farmers’ association shows that increasing numbers of young people are leaving cities behind to work in agriculture. Many of them are making a deliberate mid-career change. In the rugged hills of Genoa, Davide and Matteo are part of this movement. With…

From DW Documentary. Slovakia stands at a crossroads between western and eastern Europe – and not just in geographical terms. Amidst growing social and political divisions in the country, Prime Minister Robert Fico is using his power to amplify tensions and stir up fear. Once a mainstream Social Democrat, Robert Fico has reinvented himself as…

From DW Documentary. Before Earth existed, there was only dust and gas left behind by ancient stars. Over time, that material gathered together to form our planet. The same elements that once made those stars now make up most of our bodies – a quiet reminder of where we come from. #documentary #dwdocumentary #dwdocs #stars…

From DW Documentary. Octopus is considered a delicacy – grilled, boiled, or fried. But rising demand has consequences, and in several regions of Europe, this intelligent cephalopod is already considered overfished. Stocks are shrinking dramatically, especially in the Mediterranean. In Greece, illegal traps are often used for fishing. Together with the coast guard, the environmental…

From DW Documentary. Islamist terrorism continues to claim numerous victims worldwide. Extremist networks are financed in part by donations from Germany. But investigations often prove to be difficult. Money from Germany repeatedly finds its way into structures that support Islamist terror. This occurs via bank transfers, donation associations, online payment services, and even cryptocurrencies. Many…

From DW Documentary. Jérôme was sexually abused as a child. When he files a complaint against the former priest, he also picks up a camera. He then films the six years leading up to the trial. Jérôme combs his memories for clues. He confronts the complicity of those around him at the time. This is…

From DW Documentary. If you dominate EV battery manufacturing, you dominate electromobility. China is building one gigafactory after another, while Europe struggles with political uncertainty, lack of know-how, and large-scale projects that end up delayed or cancelled. This is the story of an industry that’s shaping the future. The EV battery is the core of…

From DW Documentary. Invasive species threaten flora and fauna and can destroy ecological balance. However, combating these dangerous invaders is costly and requires unusual measures. The EU list of invasive species includes 42 animal and 46 plant species. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has identified these unwanted intruders as one of six "climate killers,"…

From DW Documentary. The heart is the hardest-working muscle in our body. It works quietly and reliably, especially when we are young. It only warns us when it has no other choice. While diet and lifestyle are very important, our genes also influence the risk of heart issues. It is essential to listen to our…

From DW Documentary. The heart is the most unusual muscle in our body. It works tirelessly, begins beating in the womb and can even continue functioning when the brain fails. Yet, when we’re young, we barely pay any attention to it. 29-year-old twins Naomi and Joëlle Karfich are active, have healthy diets and feel fit.…

From DW Documentary. In the highlands of Ecuador, options for women are limited. Many work in the country’s dominant cut flower industry. In greenhouses, plants are sprayed frequently with toxic pesticides and workers report illness and long-term health risks. Other women who cannot work are financially dependent on their husbands’ wages. But agroecology workshops are…

From DW Documentary. The beaches of Zanzibar are heavenly. But there’s more to this paradise than white sand and turquoise water. The country is poor and the infrastructure is often inadequate. Nevertheless, people’s optimism is tangible. In this predominantly Muslim country, it’s common for men to take second and third wives, leaving their first wives…

From DW Documentary. Every new tsunami alert in Japan triggers traumatic memories of March 11, 2011 and fears of another nuclear meltdown. 15 years after a tsunami led to disaster at the Fukushima power plant, Japan is still dealing with the fallout. Hundreds of tons of radioactive debris are still stored at the Fukushima plant…

From DW Documentary. Artificial insemination has been a possibility for decades, yet some aspects of it are still being debated — including in Europe. Not least of those is whether there should be a limit on how many times a donor can give sperm. Hanna got pregnant while without a partner — through a sperm…

From DW Documentary. Sabine, Clais and Orm were children when their fathers were murdered. The killings, carried out by the far-left German terrorist group the Rote Armee Fraktion ("Red Army Faction”), or RAF, brought an abrupt, violent end to their childhoods. In this film, they share how terrorism changed their lives forever. May 2025 marked…

From DW Documentary. The current US opioid epidemic was fueled in what is known as the first wave by the overprescription of painkillers by pharmaceutical companies. In the 1990s, Perdue Pharma introduced OxyContin, a highly addictive painkiller stronger than morphine and earned billions of dollars with it. This triggered a race among dozens of pharmaceutical…

From DW Documentary. Earth influences all life on our planet. The same is true in reverse: Animals, plants, and inanimate matter also shape habitats. But humans are currently changing this dynamic cycle. The documentary shows the evolutionary history of our planet, in which the history of humankind represents only a brief moment. Rocks existed on…