Good Ideas of the 20th Century

This fascinating two-part programme explores cutting edge research surrounding the brain and its ability to function. In part one, two renowned neurologists are working to understand the brain's "plasticity" and introduce us to a woman who functions well with literally half a brain and a blind professor who learns to "see" with his tongue. Part two explores the brain's elusive capacity to create and store memory, as seen through one man who remarkably remembers every single detail of his life, and an athlete whose memory was wiped clean following a tragic accident.

A train travels 4,000 miles across North America with a revolving community of artists and musicians who collaborate on recordings, artworks, films, and 10 "happenings" across the country.

A film about a Moroccan woman Hind who doesn't officially exist, because she was raped as a teenager, but who now is one particle of the greater political change sweeping across the Arab region.

A young filmmaker makes a documentary about the life of woman living in the streets of Mexico City.

In November 1943, 200 resisters from the Paris region were arrested by the Gestapo. 23 of them were shot on February 21, 1944. They are members of the "Manouchian" group, resisting communists foreigners, Jews for the most part.

Backdraft is the story about fire in the 18th century, but more that that, it's the story of how Colonial Williamsburg's historians and historic tradespeople worked together to replicate an 18th century fire engine that can still put out a fire. Consider the threat of fire in a world of wooden buildings, where candles provided light, fireplaces furnished heat, and open stoves were used for cooking. Fire was a danger to everyone. Students learn that it was the duty of every citizen to help fight fires. Students will also learn the scientific principles behind the state of the art 18th century fire engine and how Colonial Williamsburg historians and tradespeople recreated the tools and acquired the skills to build a replica.