Stephen Fry: The Machine that Made Us (UK) | Click here to watch
(59 min; 2008; English)
Director: Patrick McGrady

Stephen Fry examines the story behind the first media entrepreneur, printing press inventor Johann Gutenberg, to find out why he did it and how, a story which involves both historical enquiry and hands-on craft and technology. Fry travels across Europe to find out how Gutenberg kept his development work secret, about the role of avaricious investors and unscrupulous competitors and why Gutenberg's approach started a cultural revolution. He then sets about building a copy of Gutenberg's press.

A three part BBC series

In this series, mathematician Dr Hannah Fry explores the mystery of maths. It underpins so much of our modern world that it is hard to imagine life without its technological advances, but where exactly does maths come from? Is it invented like a language or is it something discovered and part of the fabric of the universe? It's a question that some of the most eminent mathematical minds have been wrestling with. Dr Eleanor Knox from King's College London believes it is discovered, Prof Hiranya Peiris from University College London believes it is invented, while Prof Jim Gates from Brown University believes it is both, and Prof Brian Greene from Columbia University has no idea. The jury is very much divided.

Episode I: Numbers as God (59 min) | ( Click here to watch )

In this episode, Hannah goes back to the time of the ancient Greeks to find out why they were so fascinated by the connection between beautiful music and maths. The patterns our ancestors found in music are all around us, from the way a sunflower stores its seeds to the number of petals in a flower. Even the shapes of some of the smallest structures in nature, such as viruses, seem to follow the rules of maths. All strong evidence for maths being discovered.

But there are those who claim maths is all in our heads and something we invented. To find out if this is true, Hannah has her brain scanned. Then along comes the invention of zero to help make counting more convenient and the creation of imaginary numbers, and the balance is tilted in the direction of maths being something we invented. The question of whether maths is invented or discovered just got a whole lot more difficult to answer.

Saving the temples on the Nile | ( Click here to watch )
(42 min; English)
A DW DocFilm

A timeless treasure, nearly lost forever. Without the UNESCO‘s unprecedented rescue operation, future generations might have only seen the stunning temples of Ramses II and Cleopatra in the pages of history books. In 1960, then Egyptian President Nasser ordered the dam‘s construction. In order to save the temples of Ramses II and Cleopatra, among others, UNESCO reached out to over 50 countries, and raised $80 million. After receiving multiple proposals to save the structure, it was one from Sweden that proved successful. The plan: dismantling the complex and rebuilding it on higher ground.  

Between November 1963 and September 1968, saws were used to cut the two temples into 1,036 blocks, each weighing between seven and 30 tons. Their new location was 64 meters above the old site and 180 meters further inland. After five years of construction, this major undertaking was completed on September 22, 1968. The Nubian temples of Abu Simbel are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A two-part BBC television series with British gardener and broadcaster, Monty Don. Monty Don travels the Islamic world and beyond from Morocco to India in search of Paradise Gardens celebrated in the Koran and uncovers the influence they've have had back in the UK.

Episode II: Turkey, India and UK | ( Click here to watch )
(59 min; English)
Director: Jason Holmes

In Turkey, Monty is dazzled by a display of the Ottoman Empire's favourite flower - the tulip - and learns of its sacred significance. Travelling to India, Monty encounters a new type of spirituality in the tomb gardens of the Mughal Empire. Mausoleums were set in vast gardens as places where an earthly king could enter a divine paradise. But unlike our quiet courtyards and cemeteries, these were places filled with life - tented cities where people lived as well as prayed. As favoured spots for yoga and exercise, they still retain this lively spirituality today.

Returning to the UK, Monty sets out to see how the concept of paradise gardens have fared in some very different places. In Bradford, a water garden inspired by India provides a setting for different communities to come together, while at Hestercombe, Somerset, Monty uncovers the inspiration behind what appears to be the most English of gardens.