Global Affairs Documentaries
Inside Taiwan: Standing Up To China
This eye-opening BBC documentary explores whether China’s plans for Taiwan could be put into action, and the dangers they could pose for the world. President Xi Jinping considers Taiwan part of China and seeks reunification, while the island nation maintains its independence.
With tensions rising, journalist Jane Corbin visits the region and speaks to experts from around the world about a situation that has the potential to spark a deadly global conflict. She also explores how Taiwan has been standing up to what they say are Chinese disinformation and cyber attacks in recent times.
Border Country
How are borders created and what impact do they have on nations and individuals? In this compelling documentary series, historian and former politician Rory Stewart investigates the Scottish-English borders, one of the most brutally contested frontiers in history and the Roman construction of Hadrian’s Wall. He also draws on illuminating border stories from Iraq, Bosnia, and Afghanistan.
Boxing Day Tsunami
First came an earthquake deep below the Indian Ocean. Minutes later, in the early hours of Boxing Day 2004, a 100-foot wall of water ripped through Indonesia. Then the tsunami reached Thailand, leaving unimaginable devastation in its wake. Using eye-witness accounts, BBC Select presents this gripping documentary investigating this horrific natural disaster. Could the catastrophe have been averted?
India's Partition: The Forgotten Story
The Partition of India was one of the most seismic events of the 20th century. In 1947, the country was divided into two new nations, independent India, and Pakistan. The split led to violence, disruption, and death. Filmmaker Gurinder Chadha, director of Bend It Like Beckham, travels from London to Delhi meeting people whose lives were torn apart by Partition.
The Shamima Begum Story: The Girl Who Joined ISIS
Shamima Begum left London aged just 15 and disappeared inside the Islamic State group. She emerged four years later in 2019, a vilified figure who had her British citizenship revoked. Now Shamima gives the definitive account of everything that happened to her. In this exclusive interview she explains how she was radicalized, what life in ISIS was like and her hopes for the future.