From DW Documentary. These images were never supposed to be seen. Amid the war in Iran, two men secretly film their day-to-day lives. These smuggled recordings reveal the struggle they face between internal repression and external attacks. The 30-minute film, "Embattled in Iran — Diary From a Warzone," features never-before-seen footage of daily life in…

From DW Documentary. Colors make our homes more beautiful. They make our clothes more stylish. And colors are indispensable for art. But what looks beautiful can also be toxic: Many colors contain substances like mercury, lead, or chromium. The production of colors pollutes soil and water. Toxins can get onto our skin via our clothing.…

From DW Documentary. Behind the scenes at Russian independent media and NGOs during the war in Ukraine. As the Putin government further escalates its suppression of free voices, newspaper Novaya Gazeta, radio station Echo of Moscow and Rain TV try to find ways to continue their work. "The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on."…

From DW Documentary. The increasing demand for illegal synthetic drugs worldwide is leading to the creation of larger illegal production labs where toxic chemicals are used. Chemical vapors, like carbon monoxide, can be released during the process, posing a lethal risk. These chemicals can only be disposed of illegally. In the Netherlands, one of Europe’s…

From DW Documentary. In many German cities, bicycle couriers deliver burgers, pizza, and other food to people’s homes. Thousands of these riders come from India, lured by the promise of studying in Germany, and have incurred heavy debts. "We’re not animals!” complains Shiwani S. after a hard day at the Berlin labor court. The bicycle…

From DW Documentary. The axolotl, a tailed amphibian, is a marvel of evolution. It can regenerate injured body parts and is exceptionally long-lived. However, the axolotl is only found in Mexico, and its habitat is disappearing. The axolotl is a primitive species of salamander shrouded in numerous myths and legends – primarily due to its…

From DW Documentary. Over just one decade, the cost of solar energy fell by nearly 90% – the fastest price drop of any energy technology. What was once expensive is now often the cheapest option in many parts of the world. China has played a major role in this shift, accounting for around 40% of…

From DW Documentary. This film shows the dramatic state of women’s rights in the USA, today. Radical abortion bans and the unequal treatment of women and men by the justice system are leading to massive restrictions on fundamental rights. The documentary reports from the USA, a country where women go to prison for the crimes…

From DW Documentary. Phone scammers steal large sums of money by cold calling people, impersonating police officers and persuading unwitting victims to hand over everything they have. Sometimes, this sometimes leads to tragic consequences — including suicide. The perpetrators work out of overseas call centers, making their millions through professional telephone fraud. When scammers call…

From DW Documentary. The Autobahn has become a symbol associated with Germany’s car industry, engineering expertise, and high-speed travel. For some, the car is more than just a mode of transportation. It’s a cult object that invokes feelings of desire and passion. But in recent years, the role of cars in German society is increasingly…

From DW Documentary. Investigative reporters are always on the hunt for exclusive information. But when the secret service serves as a source, can it also exploit journalists as agents? How can journalists become agents? To answer this question, the report accompanies Lars Petersen, head of investigative reporting at Business Insider, an online platform for business…

From DW Documentary. Norway’s stunning landscapes and breathtaking views are no longer a secret. Social media has drawn hordes of tourists in search of the perfect photo. But overtourism often ruins the very experience they came for. #documentary #dwdocumentary #dwdocs #norway ______ We kindly ask viewers to read and stick to the DW netiquette policy…

From DW Documentary. For a long time, the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE) was considered a diplomatic battle of no significance. But in retrospect, it laid the foundation for the end of the Iron Curtain, and the fall of the Berlin Wall. The CSCE is an historic event whose significance was disputed…

From DW Documentary. The idea of ‘Stolpersteine’ or stumbling stones was first conceived by German artist Gunter Demnig in 1992 to commemorate victims of Nazi persecution. Four years later, without permission, he laid the first brass plaque to commemorate the deportation and murder of the Sinti and Roma. What started as an informal act of…

From DW Documentary. Three young women from China are struggling to realize their dreams. While Chinese society is undergoing profound change, they are simultaneously feeling the social pressure to start a family and have children. China has developed at record speed to become one of the most modern countries in the world. The documentary follows…

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…