Iran: Diary from a warzone | DW Documentary

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…

The magic of colors | DW Documentary

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.…

Synthetic drugs and toxic waste | DW Documentary

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…

The courier driver business | DW Documentary

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…

Tracking down phone scammers | DW Documentary

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…

When journalists become agents | DW Documentary

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…

The price for the perfect photo | DW Documentary

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…

How do we remember the past? | DW Documentary

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…

A different kind of prison | DW Documentary

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…

Nuclear fusion explained | DW Documentary

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…

When mudslides threaten mountain villages | DW Documentary

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…

Why do ex-prisoners reoffend? | DW Documentary

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…

The German obsession with cars | DW Documentary

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.…

How did the Moon form? | DW Documentary

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…

Octopuses have nine brains? | DW Documentary

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…

Haiti – The true cost of independence | DW Documentary

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…

Gothic architecture – When cathedrals reached up to the heavens | DW Documentary

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…

Cows: Saviors of the Alps | DW Documentary

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…

Italy’s young farmers | DW Documentary

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…