Best Documentary

A lioness and her cub

Go inside Myanmar, a nation where the military’s grip on power remains firm despite years of political change. We explore the high-stakes world of the Burmese ruby mines, where "Ruby Lords" and military elites profit from the earth while local miners dream of a better life. From the hunt for precious gems to the fight for ethnic autonomy, we reveal the complex reality of a nation still fighting for its soul. Directors: Charles Haquet and Bertrand Bolzinger Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG0SQhJJvrrD_--F6WhP2oK6

Iran’s revolutionary guards are once again in the spotlight as the war in the Middle East escalates. The guards, who answer only to the country’s supreme leader, are responsible for launching attacks oversees and overseeing the country’s ballistic missile arsenal. President Trump, who has already bombed their headquarters, would like to see them destroyed. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), are the elite forces of the regime, an organisation as secretive as it is feared. Created in 1979 at the birth of the Islamic Islamic Republic, the Revolutionary Guards have remained the armed wing of the regime. Their original mission was to protect the Supreme Leader and relentlessly hunt down his enemies. Over the years, their power has grown almost absolute, surpassing the regular army. They command ground forces, a navy, an air force and even a special elite unit. With 125,000 personnel, the Revolutionary Guards have effectively become the country’s true rulers. A few weeks before the protests began at the end of 2025, we were exceptionally granted permission to film in Iran. We saw first-hand how difficult life had become for the majority of Iranians. In the market, Iranian staples like pomegranates are now unaffordable for many. Women walk around with no veils, openly defying the regime. Young people openly call for the death of Khamanei; their parents admit that life was better before. Yet, the Revolutionary Guards were severely weakened by the Twelve-Day War in Israel in June 2025. Through an unprecedented infiltration operation, the Israeli state succeeded in assassinating around twenty of their commanders. In Iran, the Revolutionary Guards refuse to acknowledge their defeat and retreat instead into anti-Israeli propaganda. In Tehran, one of their historic leaders agreed to meet us. Hossein Kanani Moghaddam, a former leader of the IRGC’s Supreme Council, claims the organisation remains the only shield against Israeli expansionism in the Middle East. But this narrative no longer resonates with the majority of the population. Today, with 70% of Iranians calling for the end of the Islamic Republic, any remaining legitimacy the Islamic Republic regime had is dying with its protestors. Director: Maxime Morel Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG3iNQ29m_EynwpI2oGTdHni

Discover how Poland is becoming Europe’s top army to face Russia, while simultaneously enforcing an ultra-conservative national identity that challenges European Union values and modern liberties.

Microsoft servers breached. 60,000 users compromised. A global 5G standoff. For years, the West bet on the idea that China’s economic rise would lead to political liberalization. Instead, we’ve witnessed the birth of the world’s most sophisticated surveillance state and a relentless wave of state-backed cyber warfare. As FBI Director James Comey famously put it: "There are two types of big companies: those that have been hacked by the Chinese, and those that don’t know it yet." Today, the frontline of this digital Cold War is 5G technology. At the heart of the controversy sits Huawei—a global leader in telecommunications that has been banned or restricted by the US, UK, and Australia over mounting national security fears. Is China’s tech expansion a natural byproduct of innovation, or a Trojan horse for global espionage? In this documentary, we go beyond the headlines to interview top officials from Washington, Brussels, and Beijing to uncover the truth behind the battle for global technological supremacy. Director: Thomas Lafarge Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG2SpLeZrAW7IG2ni93ARB39

Pictures from Afghanistan follows David Pratt as he returns to meets the Afghan Mujahedeen that he originally reported on during the 1980's Soviet–Afghan War. Locations visited include the Russian Centre for Science and Culture, and the Kabul Zoo. The film includes commentary about the September 11 attacks, and the ongoing heroin addiction in Kabul. Humanity and empathy are recurring themes in the documentary, and Pratt discusses how he struggles with both while reporting on the war. The narrative from Pratt reminds viewers of the need to humanize Afghans.

How Vuitton makes a 200 euros buyer feel as important as a 10,000 euros client

For centuries, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brunei and China have disputed territories in the South China Sea. But China’s claims of overriding sovereignty over the entire sea, supported by annexations and aggressive military patrols, have turned the sea into a global hotspot. On a deserted beach in the north of the Philippines, 200 heavily armed Marines train alongside Filipino soldiers. Never have tensions between the Philippines and Beijing been so high and the United States is pulling out all the stops to prove they are ready to repel a Chinese invasion. According to international law, the Scarborough Shoal belongs to the Philippines. But, in 2012, China illegally seized it and prohibited access to outsiders. Filipino fisherman have been harassed and attacked. In this documentary, we join a coast guard patrol and are soon surrounded by Chinese militias, who attack with water cannons and ram the patrol boat, damaging its navigation equipment. It’s a move that could easily have killed the crew but attacks like this are regular occurrences. At the heart of these disputes are the Spratly Islands, an archipelago of islets and coral reefs, disputed by six countries. China has already annexed seven of the Spratly reefs and transformed them into military bases. In Taiwan, the pressure is mounting. Xi Jinping has officially announced that the island is an “inalienable” part of China and, in Taipei, they are now planning for a possible military invasion. “I feel very scared,” confides one woman, “China is nearby and there is always a threat.”

To avoid freezing to death, they use the most toxic coal in the world.

Archaeologists in Kilteasheen, Ireland, have unearthed "deviant burials" dating to 700 AD, featuring vampire skeletons pinned by boulders or found with stones in their mouths. These discoveries link ancient burial rites to medieval religious texts and historical folklore, tracing the dark evolution of European beliefs in the walking dead. Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG3q8txYLsQdmZ94fWFB9_Ys

On April 26, 1986, the world changed forever. A routine test at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine triggered a catastrophic meltdown, releasing a radioactive cloud that blanketed Europe and birthed a haunting, post-apocalyptic ghost town. This documentary is a deep dive into the true story of Chernobyl, exploring how systemic flaws and a culture of secrecy within the Soviet Union led to the worst nuclear disaster in human history. We go beyond the statistics to look at the tens of thousands of lives ruined and the "invisible enemy" that continues to haunt the Exclusion Zone today. Chernobyl is more than a historical event; it is a chilling warning about the risks of modern technology and the vital importance of transparency. The past cannot be undone, but its lessons are essential for our survival. Director: Roxane Schlumberger Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG3q8txYLsQdmZ94fWFB9_Ys

He fights against LGBT people because the Catholic Church says it is a sin

From Rotterdam’s docks to Amsterdam’s nightclubs, a new generation of cocaine cartels is taking over. Ruthless young dealers rule the European market, shaping a brutal underworld of power, addiction, and ambition — the rise of Amsterdam’s modern drug kings. Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG0SQhJJvrrD_--F6WhP2oK6

We were granted rare access to the regime’s inner circle—the self-proclaimed guardians of Hugo Chávez’s 'revolution.' Despite sitting on the world’s largest oil reserves, the country is broke, crippled by US sanctions and systemic corruption. Millions of Venezuelans face a grim reality: barren supermarket shelves, skyrocketing food prices, and a healthcare system devoid of basic medicine. And yet, a loyal base remains. Who are the people who still cling to Chávez’s ideals and stand firmly behind Nicolás Maduro? Director: François Cardona

The invasion of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg by the German army in 1940 marked the beginning of a long ordeal for the Luxembourgish people. For more than four years, the country was occupied by the Nazis, who sought to destroy Luxembourgish independence and integrate the Grand Duchy into the German Reich. The Luxembourgers were to be forcibly Germanized. An entire people was subjected to merciless oppression. Those who defended themselves in the name of their freedom risked their lives and the lives of their loved ones. Yet, the resistance of the Luxembourgers grew stronger throughout the occupation, forcing the Germans to resort to ever more radical measures. The history of the Grand Duchy under Nazi occupation continues to leave deep scars on Luxembourgish society to this day. Not all Luxembourgers were against the Nazis. Some collaborated with the occupiers and betrayed their compatriots. On the other side, a handful of men and women made a choice that commands respect and was far from easy: to engage in acts of resistance in order to stimulate the spirit of opposition among the Luxembourgish people. Most Luxembourgers ultimately rejected annexation by Nazi Germany. The attempt to integrate Luxembourg into the Third Reich thus had the opposite effect. More than any other period, the German occupation of Luxembourg was crucial in making Luxembourgers aware of their own national identity. Through numerous testimonies and archival documents, Heim ins Reich (Home in the Reich) brings these dark years back to life, years during which swastikas adorned the streets of the Grand Duchy. The witnesses are Luxembourgers personally and directly involved in the events they recount. Director: Claude Lahr Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG2uwkcdhXwmf_dXcTCyycWi

"Their procedures are horrible" her last text before dying in hospital

Experience the grit and glory of the French Foreign Legion in this exclusive look behind the scenes of one of the world's most elite and secretive fighting forces. Every Bastille Day (July 14th), the legendary Légion Étrangère steals the show on the Champs-Élysées. Known for their distinctive pace and reputation in the world’s deadliest conflict zones, these soldiers are icons of military excellence. But what does it actually take to wear the white kepi? In this documentary, we follow a new wave of recruits through months of grueling basic training and selection. From diverse backgrounds to a unified front, these men must learn to fight, survive, and forge an unbreakable bond of brotherhood. The stakes are absolute: At every turn, one mistake can lead to instant elimination. Witness the transformation of civilians into elite soldiers - where only the strongest survive. Watch more related documentaries in our playlist https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLTOUyQcU3JG0sI2u_kSSCQPV1PPm3sH4P Director: Frédéric Cristéa

Loneliness and mating: the life of an angel shark #shorts