Winds : an Invisible Strength
2024 · 44m · Documentary
Invisible but fundamental to life on the planet, wind has inspired many myths in human civilizations. A key player in oxygenating the oceans, it governs the movements of insect and bird populations, shapes the plant world, influences transportation, and is an inexhaustible source of energy. By turns devastating and beneficial, whether dry, violent, hot, cold, or humid, it lays down the law wherever it blows. There are thousands of them around the globe, each with its own characteristics. At the crossroads of geography, history, human adventure, and science, Grands Vents follows the path of five iconic winds—the Mistral of Provence, the Chinook of the Rockies, the transatlantic trade winds, the North African Sirocco, and the Indian monsoon—through the eyes of those who study them, await them, fear them, or even enjoy them.
Episodes
1. Chinook, the Warm Wind of the Rockies44m · Each winter in western Canada and the US, cold and ice dominate the landscape, but the Rocky Mountains are regularly swept by the Chinook, a warm downslope wind that melts snow, triggers early wildlife activity, and briefly awakens nature before winter returns.
2. Mistral, the Master Wind43m · Invisible yet essential, winds shape ecosystems, landscapes, cultures and myths. In southern France, the cold, dry Mistral sweeps through the Rhône Valley, reaching Aigues-Mortes and Mont Ventoux. Both destructive and beneficial, it forces nature and people to adapt to its force.
3. Trade Winds, the Breath of Voyagers43m · The trade winds, blowing between the tropics and the equator, enabled early ocean crossings and transformed global exploration. Today they still guide sailors, while also carrying Saharan dust across the Atlantic that fertilizes the Amazon rainforest, sustaining one of Earth’s richest ecosystems.
4. Monsoon, the Breath of Fate44m · The monsoon travels thousands of kilometers, bringing intense seasonal rains that can trigger devastating floods while sustaining life across the Indian subcontinent. Despite its destructive force, it is eagerly awaited each year, as millions depend on it and entire ecosystems rely on its arrival to regenerate.
5. Sirocco, the Desert Breath43m · The Sirocco, born over the Sahara, is a hot, dry desert wind that raises temperatures and carries vast amounts of sand, sometimes burying entire villages. Wildlife seeks shelter in the dunes, while nomadic communities have adapted their way of life to endure its powerful and unpredictable gusts.More Like This
Duels of History
2023
From Lucrezia Borgia to Malinche to Marie Curie: Women’s contributions have often been downplayed or misrepresented in the history books. Duels of History (re)tells their stories.
More info →
Luxury Escapes: The World's Best Holidays
2023
A showcase of the best holiday hotspots across Australia and the world, with luxurious hotels, great places to eat, drink and explore.
More info →
Drinks, Crime and Prohibition
2018
A deep dive into the underbelly of the Prohibition era, which was characterized as much by jazz, illegal booze and female liberation as it was by gangsters and brutality.
More info →
Great Alaskan Railroad Journeys
2019 · ★ 7
Michael Portillo heads for the Last Frontier of the United States armed with his 1899 Appleton's Guide-Book to Alaska.
More info →
Great Canadian Railway Journeys
2019 · ★ 7
Michael Portillo explores Canada, armed with his Appleton's Guidebook.
More info →
Picasso: The Beauty and the Beast
2023
His art changed the way we see the world - now change the way you see the artist. An unflinching look at Picasso's legacy, and the horror and brilliance of what he left behind. Family, friends and experts reassess the tumultuous artistic and personal life of Pablo Picasso, one of the greatest and most provocative artists of all time.
More info →Tate Confidential
2019
A behind-the-scenes look at Andrew and Tristan Tate’s lifestyle, business ventures, and travels, filmed in a vlog-style format.
More info →
