S1.E11 ∙ Ask Phil

In "Diversity", we will attend to the mix of cultures, nationalities, ethnic groups and religions existing in New York City. But, is this mix for real or a fictitious one? Coexistence or ghettos? Integration or loneliness?

In 2013 Russian parliament passed legislation that criminalizes public discussion of homosexuality, especially by foreigners. The fine for kissing someone of the same sex in public? 5000 rubles. Kris van der Veen visits St. Petersburg and Murmansk, where he talks with a diverse group of youngsters and activists. What motivates them to take a stand and can they still be safe on the streets? Van der Veen's visit to Russia ends in a police raid. He and his crew become the first foreigners to be charged with making gay propaganda. They get off with a fright, but can't help but wonder: how will this continue? What does the future hold for gays, lesbians and transgenders in Russia?

Award-winning director Saul Landau embarks on an in-depth exploration of Miami-Havana politics through the story of the Cuban 5, a group of spies sent by the Castro government to infiltrate right-wing terrorist organizations in Miami. When the spies turned over evidence of US-based terrorism to the FBI, they themselves were arrested, tried, and convicted in Florida courts while the confessed anti-Castro terrorists live freely in Florida.

A documentary that focuses on, provides solutions to bullying and relational aggression to kids, parents, schools, communities. The film also follows a precedent setting bullying court case and how it affected the lives involved.

With exceptional access over a twelve month filming period, Haryun follows the children of three migrant worker families in Guangzhou, China, during their final year at an unofficial 'Minban' primary school. The country's 'hukou' (household registration) system excludes migrant children from public education in its cities, relegating them to second-class citizenship. As Haryun captures the children's passions, struggles, frustrations and dreams she also observes the life-changing decisions they must take at this tender age - to return to their hometowns for further education, struggle to continue their studies in the city or enter the underground child workforce aged only fourteen.

In creating The Breach I began to think of the symbiotic agreement Native Peoples had with salmon for millennia and how that has been compromised. There are hopeful restoration projects for repairing salmon runs - including the largest dam removal in US history on the Elwha River. But in thinking of what remains, my mind turned to Bristol Bay Alaska - where I'd spent those college summers 20 years before. Bristol Bay still has a perfect, healthy fishery, where 30-60 million wild salmon return each summer. They feed the land, animals and people of Bristol Bay, as they have for time immemorial. And they feed the world. Half the world's sockeye salmon supply comes from Bristol Bay. In the middle of all this, a Canadian mining company is attempting to construct North America's largest open-pit copper mine in the heart of Bristol Bay. I sought out tribal leaders, scientists, policy makers, fishermen, artists, authors and chefs - all with a shared knowledge and passion for wild salmon as cultural treasure, mystery from the sea and food for the planet. Many spoke of salmon surviving ice ages and earthquakes for millennia. Our shared journey is in asking if wild salmon have a chance of surviving us.