January 1953: On the eve of his death Stalin finds himself yet another imaginary enemy: Jewish doctors. He organizes the most violent anti-Semitic campaign ever launched in the USSR, by fabricating the "Doctors' Plot," whereby doctors are charged with conspiring to murder the highest dignitaries of the Soviet Regime. Still unknown and untold, this conspiracy underlines the climax of a political scheme successfully masterminded by Stalin to turn the Jews into the new enemies of the people. It reveals his extreme paranoia and his compulsion to manipulate those around him. The children and friends of the main victims recount for the first time their experience and their distress related to these nightmarish events. Through newly found archive pictures, this documentary unveils the harsh mechanisms of a machiavelic plot that illustrates the totalitarian methods of the Soviet Regime. A Film by Philippe Saada ; Roche Productions in Association with France Televisions,Planete,DR,SBS,ERT,YLE,SVT and IBA
What happened in the Netherlands in 1637 is the blueprint for many examples of speculative frenzies in the world's history: in an incomparable attack of collective madness and boundless greed, the country's citizens put their money into market speculation – involving derivatives, futures, options and investment certificates – all for tulip bulbs. People sold all they had for a few plants or financial products involving the plants' bulbs. The prices and market values of these colorful blossoms soared. Some bulbs were sold for the same price as a grand villa. How could such an enormous bubble arise from nowhere? Particularly, as it was based upon such a delicate and short-lived plant? Astronomically high, fake profits led to a full-blown crash in which market values fell by 95 percent in record time. When Tulips became the vogue in Holland in the early 17th century, flower peddlers were soon faced with a problem: the demand for tulip bulbs was greater than the supply. Then they had an idea: Why not sell options to purchase bulbs than didn't even exist yet? For the first time ever, option certificates were issued for products that would be made in the future. Of course, trade in these certificates followed soon after that. Prices hit the roof. Investors sold all they had or mortgaged their houses to purchase futures of tulip bulbs. Early in February 1637 one of the many auctions for tulip bulbs was held at an inn in Haarlem. For the first time ever, a seller failed to receive the asking price for his bulbs. Suddenly, everyone realized that the prices wouldn't continue to climb. The news spread like wildfire. Everyone tried to unload their holdings as soon as possible, especially speculators who had borrowed money or purchased futures. Within a short period the prices dropped by 95 percent. Modern-day financial crises have shown how quickly individuals can lose their senses when they believe there are profits to be made. If we can invest in hog bellies or real e
The TV Channel had planted two moles and instructed them to act as a married couple facing different difficulties related to their marriage. For three months they live as a married couple, Fatma and Mohammed, seeking advice about life as a newly arrived Muslim in the West. During these months they visit eight of the country's largest mosques. Most are publicly known as moderate, but using a hidden camera the documentary reveals a very different reality. In closed study groups and Koran schools the moles find a world where children are brought up to detest "infidels" in environments that are largely ruled by Sharia law. When the couple is experiencing marital problems, they seek personal advice from imams and religious leaders who advise against seeking assistance from Danish authorities. Fatma is told not to go to the police when she gets beaten up by her husband, and she must not refuse him sex. In return it is okay for her husband to have several wives if that's what will fix his problems with her. The conflict ends in a Sharia court where three imams once and for all decide the young couple's future. The Imams' answers and suggested solutions raised a number of new questions regarding religious subcultures and failed integrations efforts and not least the role of Imams and religious preachers. The documentaries sparked a heated debate as the featured Imams were demonstrating questionable morals in encouraging fraud and physical abuse of women and children. As a direct response to the disclosure of activities in the mosques, a political demand of a ban of so-called hate preachers arose, and a year later a list of religious preachers banned from entering Denmark was published.
"Firelight Flickering on the Ceiling of the World". The Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights, is one of nature's most wonderful phenomena. The Northern Lights occur in late autumn, all winter and early spring all around the Arctic regions. For thousands of years, the Northern Lights have captivated and excited people under the polar sky. NRK's experienced photographers have selected a collection of spectacular Northern Lights, and with new technology they have managed to capture the Northern Lights in the natural landscape. The radio orchestra has chosen music and performs classical works with beautiful and magical light.