the amazing story of John Roland Redd, an African American from Columbia, Missouri who migrated to Hollywood in 1939 and reinvented himself as a musician from India. As one of early television’s pioneering musical artists, Korla Pandit’s life was one of talent, determination, ingenuity and racial passing, a story not fully realized until after his death in 1998.
Airs 1/16 at 2 a.m.
TRUST DOCS, which is in partnership with the Thomson Reuters Foundation, takes viewers around the globe to explore under-reported stories about critical social issues through personal stories from individuals. This magazine series utilizes short documentaries to translate headlines into human experiences and covers a range of issues including the effects of war, the fight for refugee rights, struggles to adjust to climate change, housing and land rights, global mental health, changing gender identities and more.
Airs Wednesday beginning January 2 at 3 a.m. and #1011 on 1/30 at 4 a.m.
#1011 – “One Man, One City, Three Evictions” – Rio de Janeiro has experienced several waves of development in the past century. For Altair Guimaraes the changes have affected him directly. Brought up in a favela, he has been evicted three times as a result of Rio’s developments. As Brazil tries to gain global recognition and increase tourism, locals like Altair are forced to relocate despite property titles. Now, their struggles are becoming a symbol of a global phenomenon.
SIGHT is arguably our most important sense, an extremely complex process, which requires light that can start with photons, generated in distant stars and ending in the visual cortex of our brains. In the middle of this process are our eyes. This hour-long documentary looks at the science, medicine and technology of vision and the individuals who are battling the darkness of blindness.
Airs 1/15 at 8 a.m.
NASA/JPL climate scientist, Dr. Peter Kalmus and his family show us how a dramatic reduction in fossil fuel use can make us happier and more balanced individuals. Kalmus is joined by his family, friends, and other climate scientists–with a few Hollywood actors thrown in for good measure.
Airs 1/15 at 2 a.m.
A one-hour documentary answering the question, “what is money?” In Money We Trust? explains how money provides a shared measure of value that facilitates trade and cooperation between strangers. Throughout history, trustworthy money has fueled human achievement-from the emergence of philosophy to the high-tech revolution. Also explored is the devastation that can occur when inflation or other instability causes money not to be trusted. In extreme cases-as in Weimar Germany-society unravels. Coming on the anniversary of the 2008 financial crisis, the program shows how loss of trust in money has given rise to cryptocurrencies, greater income inequality and social turmoil. Featured are more than 20 experts including former Federal Reserve Chairmen Alan Greenspan and Paul Volcker; and Adam Fergusson, author of “When Money Dies,” the definitive history of the Weimar hyperinflation.
Airs 1/11 at 3 a.m.
looks at the beauty and history behind the mahogany exteriors of classic wooden boats. Set in scenic Lake Tahoe, this documentary addresses the passion wooden boat owners feel for their craft, familial connections, and the legendary speed kings and hydroplane racers. The film includes the story of wooden boat Teaser’s legendary race against the fastest train of the time, the Twentieth Century Limited. Another recounts owner Henry Kaiser’s decision to remodel his regular wooden runabout, The Hornet II, in the style of Howard Hughes’ famous aluminum racer. LEGENDS OF THE LAKE also chronicles the return of Baby Skipalong to Lake Tahoe’s waters by the Scott family, after years spent in the possession of speed king Stan Dollar. These stories complement discussions about the underground community of restoration enthusiasts and the rituals involved in naming a boat.
Airs 1/9 at 4:30 a.m.
In the United States, battles over water rights invoke cliches of cowboys and farmers in shoot- outs. In recent years, droughts and lawn watering bans revive the question of quantity – is there enough water? Now, news from Flint, Michigan of contaminated municipal water supplies have people from Boston to Berkeley shifting the question from, “Will I have enough?” to “Is my water safe?” “Watching Our Water: The Challenge To Keep It Clean” explores the vexing question of how pristine water high in the Rocky Mountains ends up as a floating chemical ‘dead zone’ in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico. This Harvest Public Media special illuminates the challenges facing farmers, scientists and engineers. It looks at the problem from a rural and urban perspective, and examines possible solutions to control the contamination in our water.
Airs 1/9 at 4 a.m.
A portrait of Native resilience as seen through a year in the life of three generations of a Blackfeet family living on the Rez in Montana. The Mombergs are a loving, sober family who run a successful ranch, live a traditional worldview and are re-learning their language.
Airs 1/9 at 2:30 a.m.
Caddo tribal elder and his apprentice return to their ancestral homeland in East Texas to direct the construction of a traditional grass house.
Airs 1/9 at 2 a.m.
A one-hour documentary on the science, exploration, and retreat of the glaciers in the Wind River Mountains of Wyoming. Wyoming PBS looks at the big picture of how receding alpine glaciers will affect the ecosystem, municipalities, farmers, and ranchers downstream.
Airs 1/8 at 2 a.m.