17 episodes · 4th January 2004
The strand opens with a documentary on the seemingly unstoppable rise of some of the world's most dangerous men. The Hells Angels Motorcycle Club's membership is rapidly growing in number, with new sub-factions springing up across the world, everywhere from Brazil to Liechtenstein. The rock-loving bikers have for many years been associated with violence, but many police officers now believe that the Angels have also become a sophisticated international crime organisation, with links to the wholesale trafficking of drugs. In Canada and Scandinavia, the expansion of the gang has led to violent turf wars involving shootings, bombings and hundreds of deaths.
In 1984, with Ethiopia in the grip of famine, Michael Buerk filed two shocking reports highlighting the plight of the sick and the dying. The harrowing images prompted aid efforts from around the world, yet 20 years on the situation remains desperate, with twice as many people now on the brink of starvation. Buerk returns to Africa to meet those whose lives were irrevocably affected by the tragedy first time around - including an aid worker who found herself in the impossible situation of deciding who should live and who should die - and asks whether the developed world has helped to create a nation wholly dependent on charity.
As South Africa celebrates a decade of democracy, this film follows the fortunes of two of the country's promising young footballers. Both possess their share of talent but Seth is white, and from a wealthy background, while Thuso is black and sleeps on his granny's kitchen floor. What has a free South Africa come to mean for the two young sportsmen? Director: Dominic Ozanne Editor: Karen O'Connor
Why are more and more of America's teenagers saying no to sex? The Bush administration is allocating large amounts of dollars to abstinence programmes, many of which are faith-based. One such organisation is the Silver Ring Thing, which claims that 65 million Americans have sexually transmitted diseases, and that its campaign of abstinence pledges for teenagers is a response to this medical crisis. This film follows a group of kids as they help spread the word. Director Richard Alwyn ; Editor Karen O'Connor
Crisis talks over North Korea's nuclear weapons have already begun but, away from the show-city of Pyongyang, there's evidence that the communist power is testing its chemical weapons on women, children, families of dissidents, and political prisoners. Gaining unprecedented access, reporter Olenka Frenkiel uncovers fresh proof of this barbarous conduct from those who, until now, have been silenced. Producer Ewa Ewart ; Editor Karen O'Connor
In June 2003 photographer Zahra Kazemi returned to her native Iran, after 30 years in exile, to photograph student protests. Three weeks later she was dead. Jim Muir looks into the circumstances surrounding her death, revealing an extraordinary battle for the heart of Iran waged by hard-liners as the country prepared to go to the polls. Director Diana Hill ; Producer Angeli Mehta
Every minute, two people are killed in conflicts around the world, but little is known about those fighting and dying. Here, starting a new run of the This World strand, film-makers follow 16 different people on a single day in war zones, from the jungles of Laos to the Black Sea, revealing the human stories behind the conflicts, including battles over disputed homelands, power and deeply held convictions.
October 2002: can Los Angeles - the murder capital of America - be made a safer place? New LA police chief William J Bratton is brought in to reduce the chilling statistics of 658 people killed in 2002 and restore faith in the force following the beating of Rodney King , OJ Simpson 's trial and the Rampart corruption case. Cameras spend a year with the officers at the forefront of the homicide problem, following struggles between City Hall, rank-and-file cops and the gang members plaguing the streets. Producer Richard Bee ; Editor Karen O'Connor
Sai Baba is India's most prolific guru. To his millions of followers around the world he is also the embodiment of God on Earth. Many devotees, however, who sought his spiritual enlightenment received more than they bargained for. Reporter Tanya Datta investigates a disturbing story involving magic, murder and allegations of sexual abuse. This World returns after a short break on 8 July. Producer Eamon Hardy ; Editor Karen O'Connor
The harrowing story of one man's efforts to stop children being sexually exploited in Costa Rica. Bruce Harris infiltrated a paedophile porn ring and went undercover as a customer in a child brothel to get evidence that has finally led to prosecutions - but also death threats. The film reveals the wider world picture of a growing trade that needs individuals, international governments and the tourist industry to act together to make a difference. (Postponed from 10 June) Producer Phil Wright ; Editor Karen O'Connor
On 15 February this year Aboriginal teenager Thomas "TJ" Hickey died from an injury his family claim was sustained after being chased by a police patrol in a rundown area of Sydney. Hickey's death sparked some of the worse race riots ever seen in Australia, with scores of youths fighting running battles with police near Sydney city centre. With unique access to the family of the boy, reporter David Akinsanya investigates why Aboriginals have disastrously failed to integrate into their own country, and why so many white Australians have a negative stereotype image of their indigenous neighbours. Director/Producer Guy Smith
Saudi Arabia's rich and secretive royal family is facing a growing predicament in the aftermath of 9/11, the US-led invasion of Iraq and the recent al-Qaeda bombings across the kingdom. Having fended off the assaults of modernity and democracy for 72 years, the House of Saud is now compelled to walk a perilous tightrope between the introduction of reforms to its citizens, and the continuation of the strict and puritanical religious code. What happens here matters -the holiest Islamic sites are located in this country, and more than a billion Muslims look to the kingdom for spiritual guidance. This World's Simon Reeve is given a rare opportunity to discuss this make-or-break struggle with Saudi citizens, from leading princes to reformers and women. Producer Anthony Makin ; Editor Karen O'Connor
Thailand's Bang Kwang prison, often dubbed "the Bangkok Hilton", is arguably the most infamous jail in the world. As the Thai authorities try to crack down on drug trafficking, This World gains the first ever access to the prison in which all inmates are serving sentences of more than 30 years, usually for drugs offences. The human stories from inside include a young British man struggling to stay sane and a death row prisoner pleading for a second chance. Producer: Chris Jones Editor: Karen O'Connor
New series 1/5. The This World team return with an investigation in Japan into the links between those who slaughter dolphins in traditional hunts and those who put the mammals on show for entertainment. Paul Kenyon reports. Series producer Sandy Smith ; Exec producer Karen O'Connor
Experimental drug trials are condemning children to painful lives and even death. In New York, children born to HIV-positive mothers are being used as test subjects for Aids/HIV drugs. Relatives who refuse are seeing children taken away and are having to battle against the social work authorities. This World investigates. Producer Jamie Doran ; Series producer Sandy Smith
Boot camps are all the rage for American parents looking to tame their troublesome teens. Raphael Rowe travels to the deceptively named Tranquility Bay in Jamaica, where unruly children have been made to lie on the floor, sometimes for days on end, following forcible removal from their homes. Is this tough love or child abuse? This World reports. Producer Esther McWatters: Series producer Sandy Smith (AD)
Twenty years from now, the media is reporting record low levels of violent crime. In this world, Liam, a hard-to-control youngster, has failed preliminary tests to establish the scale of his problem. He will be treated, but how hereditary is violent behaviour? This drama-documentary, based on rigorous research and including interviews with experts in the field, explores to what extent potential violent behaviour can be identified by clinical testing. A debate on the issues raised follows. Writer: Mark Hayhurst Director: Carl Hindmarch Producer: Roy Ackerman
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