Documentaries
Sanjay Gupta MD Special Edition
A special edition of Sanjay Gupta MD updates the touching story of Youssif, an Iraqi boy savagely burned by masked men in January 2007 during the height of the insurgency and treated thanks to the generosity of strangers around the world.
CNN and Dr. Sanjay Gupta have followed Youssif for three years, from Baghdad to a burn center in Los Angeles. Gupta was there when Youssif underwent the first of the 15 operations he has had thus far. He recently visited the boy, now almost eight, for a touching update to a story that has captivated millions of CNN viewers and CNN.com users.
When CNN correspondent Arwa Damon first reported on the senseless attack on Youssif, then five, the story became the most viewed non-breaking news story in CNN.com history. People around the world offered to help, including the Children's Burn Foundation and Los Angeles surgeon Dr. Peter Grossman. Donations to the foundation through CNN.com's Impact Your World website helped raise more than $300,000 for Youssif and his family. The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad expedited a special visa.
Youssif, his parents, and his little sister Aaya arrived in the United States in August 2007 with a single suitcase. Youssif's mother called it "a dream;" his father called it a journey "from death to life." Youssif was withdrawn and angry, and his face was horribly disfigured by the attack. Now almost three years later, Youssif is a different child. When Gupta visited recently, his appearance had improved significantly, though more surgeries are planned. More importantly, Sanjay found a self-confident boy who spoke flawless English, a child with friends and big dreams. He wants to become a doctor. Why? "I want to help people," Youssif told Gupta.
Toxic Childhood
Dr. Sanjay Gupta takes his search for answers to an all-star roundtable of experts who say widespread exposure to toxic chemicals begins even before birth. The team dissects the latest science on how to minimize risks to pregnant women and children from potentially harmful chemicals found in the air, in homes, and in common household products. (1 hour)
Toxic Towns USA
CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta helms a special investigation, the result of a year-long, stunning look into toxic chemicals, health and the environment. "Toxic Towns USA" presents one town’s fight for survival amidst 14 chemical plants.
At the heart of "Toxic Towns USA" are two “granny Erin Brockoviches” – women waging fierce battle against both industry and government with science and political action. Chemist-turned-environmental-activist Wilma Subra developed a “chemical fingerprint” test to trace toxic by-products from nearby factories. Life-long Mossville, Louisiana resident Dorothy Felix tries to force local industry to take responsibility for the health issues of residents through state legislators and in town hall meetings with government regulators.
More than 8 in 10 Mossville residents report serious health problems including cancers, kidney disease, and other ailments. Residents of Mossville allege an "environmental crime" is taking place: that they are being taken advantage of by manufacturers – and ignored by government regulators – because they are mostly poor and African American.
Dr. Gupta finds evidence that reveals pollution from one plant was kept secret for years from the community, and he speaks with an industry whistleblower who describes extensive contamination of the plant’s facilities that left workers at risk, and environmental exposure to toxic chemicals for people living nearby. Dr. Gupta challenges the manufacturers, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to explain the difference between current safety standards – which companies and regulators say are sufficient – and the health problems of residents in proximity to local plants. (1 hour)
South Africa 2010 - April 2010
The April edition of South Africa 2010 comes from Zurich and Madrid. Pedro Pinto travels to FIFA's headquarters in Switzerland for an exclusive one-on-one interview with FIFA President Sepp Blatter. We ask "the most powerful man in football" about his hopes for the tournament, and some tough questions submitted by CNN's viewers. Pedro also reports on the role of referees, and finds out how FIFA prepares the men in the middle for the pressures of the World Cup. We also report from Madrid on Spain's big hopes for South Africa, and speak to star striker Fernando Torres. We also have interviews with Germany's Michael Ballack and French defender Bacary Sagna.
Nkepile Mabuse has the latest from South Africa on FIFA's problems with ticket sales. Rafael Romo travels to Brazil to speak with head coach Dunga about the team's chances, and looks at how football unites this hugely diverse country. Also, we get the latest from CNN's correspondents around the world, wrap up the latest team and player news, and unveil more CNN Superfans.
Urban Planet
Half the world’s population lives in cities-- and that number will skyrocket in the coming decades. With the rapid pace of urbanization, the race is on to improve the quality of life and health of city dwellers. What makes a city liveable? CNN explores what’s being done to create better cities and better lives for the people who live in them: from reducing air pollution to adding greening spaces, to finding innovative solutions to housing and transportation challenges. Hosted by CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta, CNN takes the viewer on a journey though our Urban Planet.
Luxury Life
From consumers to raw materials, major luxury brands look to emerging markets to spread their wares and make their goods. The thirst for luxury goods in these markets, especially China and India, helped the industry stave off massive losses during the recession. But beyond consuming, these markets are stepping up and showing talents of their own when it comes to competing in the industry--one dominated by traditionally western brands. Monita Rajpal hosts this half-hour special.
LOVE FOR LUXURY
The Chinese have become some of the world's top buyers of luxury goods, lavishing their money on expensive handbags, watches, and designer clothing. Popular brands here are Louis Vuitton, Cartier, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci, and Rolex. The strong appetite for these fashion labels in China has helped support the industry at a time when consumers in the West have been tightening their purse strings. In this environment, Shanghai Tang is doubling its efforts to become a globally recognized Chinese luxury brand. CNN's Eunice Yoon speaks with CEO Raphael le Masne about the company's mission to create modern, sophisticated Chinese inspired collections with an international flair.
ELIE SAAB
Based in Beirut, the Lebanese designer Elie Saab has gained international recognition for his dresses that make regular appearances on red carpet events. Working in a world of European designers with firmly established French and Italian brands, Saab has successfully broken into this elite clan and gained worldwide following and respect. Monita Rajpal meets Elie Saab as he unveils his Autumn/ Winter 2010 ready-to-wear collection during Paris Fashion Week.
PUNJABI BY NATURE
Born in Punjab and raised in New York City, Waris Ahluwalia is probably best known for his cameo roles in Hollywood films or for being on the NY/LA social circuit. But this 32 year old has branched out into designing and making high end jewellery. With master craftsmen in Jaipur, Rome, and New York Waris creates one-of-a-kind pieces which can be found at mainstream stores like Maxfield's in LA, Liberty in London, and Collette in Paris. Monita Rajpal caught up with Ahluwalia in Paris to talk about how the House of Waris works in a market dominated by established jewellers.
South Africa: 2010
In less than a year, the whistle will blow for the opening match of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It will be the biggest event that the African continent will host. And while South Africa successfully hosted the Confederations Cup in July, the nation still has much to do to be ready for the big event.
In this half hour special, "South Africa: 2010", CNN looks at what needs to be done to correct transportation problems and a crucial lack of accommodations. Also: we examine the seedier side of a beautiful sport as municipalities weigh legalizing prostitution -- what some call an inevitable evil. And we'll check out fans around the world -- by meeting some of the tens of thousands of English fans who are planning to flood South Africa next year, taking a look at the explosion of soccer in the U.S., and going inside a small coastal town in South Africa whose inhabitants are learning a whole new language to bring tourists and fans to their shores.
Another Day: Cheating Death
Ten years ago, Anna Bagenholm was a 29-year-old Norwegian medical resident on a ski excursion when an accident landed her head first, in a freezing stream. In his book and documentary, Gupta recounts how Bagenholm's core body temperature dipped to 56 degrees fahrenheit. She was clinically dead for three hours, yet doctors still managed to revive her. Despite staggering odds, Bagenholm eventually made a full recovery. Gupta describes the "miracle" of her survival as not due to luck, but instead as the result of evidence-based calibrations and her experienced medical team, led by emergency physician Dr. Mads Gilbert.
Also among the stories Gupta tells for the documentary, is that of cardiac arrest survivor Chris Brooks, who lives largely because he is treated by an "Ice Doctor," Gupta's name for doctors who induce medical hypothermia to treat certain patients. Cold appears to slow metabolism enough to give doctors time to treat the underlying conditions, though a University of Chicago survey showed that fewer than 250 of the nation’s 6,000 hospitals practice "medical hypothermia."
Vital Signs: The Clinic
This time next year cancer will be the world's leading cause of death. Now, for the first time, world leaders, corporations, non-governmental organizations, and advocates join together to share new ideas and treatments. The LIVESTRONG Global Cancer Summit is an unprecedented show of global solidarity for a disease that affects all our lives. It takes place in Dublin, Ireland, August 24 - 26th.
CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta is traveling to Dublin to get your questions about cancer answered. He has gathered an intimate roundtable of cancer experts, advocates and researchers from around the world to answer CNN viewer questions. They will provide a candid look at cutting edge cancer treatments and offer advice to viewers around the world fighting this disease. Be empowered and inspired to fight back against cancer.
The Next Giant Leap
On 20th July 1969, U.S astronaut Neil Armstrong took “one giant leap for mankind” and became the first human being to land on the moon. Since then, it has been mostly baby steps. For almost four decades, the United States and the Soviet Union dominated the conquest of space, driven by national pride and cold war fervor.
As tensions between Russia and the U.S. eased and other concerns took hold, both countries changed their goals. Instead of shooting for the stars or other planets, the super powers set their sites on orbital space missions closer to home. Meanwhile, China has become the third country to send men into space, and other countries - Israel, Iran, India to name a few - successfully launched satellites into orbit.
In the light of the 40th anniversary of the moon landing, CNN International airs a special program exploring why the state of space exploration lags far behind previous expectations and how the space exploration is no longer an exclusive purview of the two former superpowers. The program also spotlights some of the likely future leaders in the outer space.
World Cup 2010: Ready to Play? 2
With just a year to go before kickoff, the stadiums are almost complete and South Africans are slowly getting excited about the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This June, the host nation will have a dry run for the biggest sporting event to hit the continent this year as the Confederations Cup kicks off. But how will the economic storm clouds of the global financial crisis affect the hosting of the first World Cup on African soil? Is the country ready for the hundred of thousands of fans that are expected? Why despite the financial crisis are tickets still impossible to buy? And how will the host nation's team Bafana Bafana perform on the global stage? 'World Cup: Ready to Play?' examines these and other issues as the world gets ready to descend on South Africa.
On The Border
A four-part documentary series on human rights situation of the North Korean refugees. The producer and production team of Chosun Ilbo Daily risked their lives with the refugees/defectors throughout their escape to freedom. Following are the stories:
- Standing on the Border: In the border regions of China and North Korea, drug and human trafficking prevail. People are crossing the rivers for food and for their own reason. Some of them may even freeze to death during the course.
- Ghost Children: There are many stateless children in every village of Chinese border area. They become illegal immigrants because their mothers are North Korean defectors who cannot be registered in China. They are excluded from social benefits without any medical care and education. These children are living like ghosts with no identity since their birth...
- Crossing the Border: Following defectors in their escape to South Korea, the team covered the entire escape route and risked their lives together with the defectors who were smuggling into Thailand through Laos and China.
- People Deserted by their Motherland: North Korean timber site in Sibera has been opened to the public first time in history with interviews of former timber workers who have successfully escaped from the site and discovered shocking truths.
Scene By Scene - Asia Pacific Screen Awards (5 programs)
Scene by Scene is a series of programs that showcases some of the film Directors that are nominated for the 2008 Asia Pacific Screen Awards. The first four programs give you a rare peek behind the camera, shadowing some of the world’s most renowned directors to learn tricks of the trade, as well as what inspires and motivates them to break cinematic ground. The fifth program will highlight the winners of this year’s award ceremony. This is truly a unique experience for a global audience to recognize the creativity of cultures in the vast Asia-Pacific region.
World Cup 2010: Ready to Play?
We've had the Olympics and 2012 seems a long way away... but the next major sporting event is already shaping up... or is it. South Africa plays host to arguably the world's biggest sporting event, the World Cup in 2010. But rumours have been building that the country won't be ready to host the event, are the stadiums on track? Are the security plans secure enough and are the organisers confident. CNN takes a look at South Africa's plans to host the 2010 World Cup and what it means to the country in terms of pride, passion and plain old cash.
Future Updated
Rising sea levels, melting glaciers, floods, economic inequality and conflicts are some of the bleak scenarios predicted as the world's temperature continues to rise.
In 'Future Updated', an invited studio audience meets the most concerned and committed people in the world on global warming and climate crisis. Representatives from the scientific community, politicians, activists and industrialists all gather together for this major discussion, which will focus on concrete and comprehensive ways to achieve a civil society in concord with nature. The exchange of views will be characterized by innovative ideas in the climate debate.
Chaired by CNN International correspondent Fionnuala Sweeney, confirmed panelists are: Dr Tim Flannery, one of Australia's best known scientists and global warming activist; Volvo CEO Leif Johansson and Ericsson CEO Carl Henrik Svanberg.
Psychic Touch
A half hour look at psychic phenomena and how its finding its way to the mainstream. From entertainers like medium Lisa Williams, who has a hit show on Lifetime Television and broadcasts in dozens of countries where she claims to communicate with the dead, to doctors and hospitals who use intuitive healers to help the sick, this half hour examines the psychic realm and asks if it is finally finding an audience beyond the "weird" and "out there" stereotype. Isha Sesay hosts and Arwa Damon takes us on the journey inside the sixth sense.
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