STIRR

Documentary Movies

Mandela: Country

Mandela: Country

The unique story of Nelson Mandela\'s early years. Born in one of the most rural parts of South Africa, Mandela is adopted by the Thembu royalty after the death of his father. But the lure of the city is more powerful than an aristocratic lifestyle in the country, and Mandela flees to Johannesburg.

Duration : 52m
Maturity Level : all

Evil Unmasked: The Station Strangler

Evil Unmasked: The Station Strangler

In 1995 Norman Afzal Simons was convicted of murdering 11 year old Elroy van Rooyen, one of the 22 boys allegedly killed by a serial killer dubbed the Station Strangler during the early 1990’s. But many people do not believe that the right man is behind bars. Simons has spent the past 14 years trying to clear his name. With evidence pointing to somebody else, the courts still believe that Simons played a major role in the killings.

Duration : 50m
Maturity Level : all

Evil Unmasked: When Darkness Falls

Evil Unmasked: When Darkness Falls

In the rural village of Umhluwayo in Kwazulu-Natal, one of South Africa’s worst serial killers was born. Sipho Dube came from a religious family but from a young terrorised the community. By 2006, 30 year old Dube was found guilty of murdering six children, one woman, raping three girls and indecently assaulting two boys. He was also convicted of ten kidnappings, one theft, one robbery, one common assault and one assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Duration : 26m
Maturity Level : all

Mandela: President

Mandela: President

A fascinating film revisiting the seminal moment in global politics that captured the imagination of the world. The events that transpire as Mandela triumphs over gruelling political negotiations, widespread violence and personal tragedy to become South Africa\'s first black president.

Duration : 55m
Maturity Level : all

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras

It\'s the biggest, wildest, sexiest, dirtiest party in the world. Every year more than a million people descend on the city of New Orleans. The streets fill with a sea of revelers. People from all walks of life flock here to be a part of the rituals, the traditions and the community pride that is Mardi Gras. It\'s New Orleans\' gift to the world as they open their doors, roll out the red carpet, and let the good times roll.

Duration : 50m
Maturity Level : all

Birders: The Central Park Effect

Birders: The Central Park Effect

A diverse group of full-of-attitude New Yorkers reveals how a hidden world of beautiful wild birds in the middle of Manhattan has upended and magically transformed their lives.

Duration : 57m
Maturity Level : all

Chile: Chiloe

Chile: Chiloe

In the south of Chile there’s a magical place; the archipelago of Chiloé, which was last stronghold of the Spanish Conquistadors in Latin America. It was here that the fusion of European and indigenous people created a unique cultural landscape firmly rooted in sea and land, and in religious devotion. As a result, this archipelago has a unique Latin American flavor, evident in the local lifestyle. This film is a portrait of this unique marine world where people, land and sea are forever wedded.

Duration : 51m
Maturity Level : all

Jesus Killer: The Jimmy Maketta Story

Jesus Killer: The Jimmy Maketta Story

Jimmy Maketta terrorised a small farming community in Cape Town for months in 2005 killing the husband and raping the wives. Many of the victims could only name him as the “Jesus Killer” because he apparently had a tattoo of Jesus across his chest. Farm workers feared for their lives and gathered together in the evenings for fear of being the Jesus killer’s next victim. The police did not take the killings seriously until messages and maps were left where to find the next body.

Duration : 50m
Maturity Level : all

Mandela: Prison

Mandela: Prison

An uncompromising insight into the darkest days of Mandela\'s life as he becomes the world\'s most famous prisoner. Despite lengthy incarceration in an apartheid prison, Nelson Mandela overcomes indignity and harshness to begin the negotiations that will eventually lead to a democratic South Africa.

Duration : 58m
Maturity Level : all

Mandela: The Passing Of An Icon

Mandela: The Passing Of An Icon

For many of the journalists working for South African news channel eNCA, the death of Nelson Mandela was the most memorable story of their careers. It was a week in which South Africa regained the international limelight, but then threatened to derail following a series of bungles - including the hiring of a schizophrenic criminal who interpreted speeches in fake sign language. We go look backstage as the world bids farewell to Mandela.

Duration : 52m
Maturity Level : all

Chameleons Of The World

Chameleons Of The World

These mysterious dwarf-like lions are known all over the world, but curiously can live only in very particular places. Herpetologists around the world are on a quest to reveal the secret life of these strange-looking lizards. An array of high-tech tools show the life of chameleons as they\'ve never been seen before. It’s a journey of discovery into the forests of Madagascar, the savannahs of east and southern Africa and the Namib desert.

Duration : 51m
Maturity Level : all

Claiming Justice

Claiming Justice

Carlos, a construction worker, got his leg mangled in a rock crusher. Barbara, an anaesthesiologist, developed severe latex allergy from the use of latex gloves. Massive amounts of litigation and million-dollar claims characterise the legal system of the United States. The popular image in Europe is one of clogged courts, sue-happy citizens, and greedy lawyers. We look at the roots of what drives the American system and what could be in store for European legal practices in the years to come.

Duration : 52m
Maturity Level : all

October 1949: Parade Of The Waking Giant

October 1949: Parade Of The Waking Giant

On October 1, 1949 Mao Zedong held a victory celebration parade in Tian\'amen Square and announced to the world the creation of a People\'s Republic of China. Go behind the scenes of this parade with filmmaker Peter Du Cane as he unearths rare archive footage and pieces togther the remainder of this historic speech and makes it whole for the first time ever.

Duration : 51m
Maturity Level : all

Rainbow Nature

Rainbow Nature

The Orange river in South Africa is an oasis in an arid land. Amongst its most interesting creatures is the Augrabies Flat Lizard, locally known as the Rainbow Lizard. The name is derived from the vibrant colours of the male and reflected in the spectacular rainbow that guards over the majestic waters of the river. In Rainbow Nature, we discover just how remarkable these little lizards are.

Duration : 52m
Maturity Level : all

Camp Raiders

Camp Raiders

Most visitors to South Africa’s national parks are not lucky enough to witness a lion kill or a glimpse of a leopard. But they are guaranteed to see the stars of this show: the naughty wildlife that has made the park’s camps their territory – The Trash Can Clan! Here the camp-dwelling animals take centre stage - from squirrels stealing crumbs to monkeys executing burglaries - we follow the exploits of Kruger national park’s regulars.

Duration : 47m
Maturity Level : all

Giant Pink \'S\': A Story Of Survival, The

Giant Pink \'S\': A Story Of Survival, The

Lesser Flamingo numbers are declining, so ornithologist Mark Anderson came up with the idea of constructing an artificial breeding island for the birds in Kimberley, South Africa. A local mining company agreed to help with the construction of a giant S-shaped island. The birds accepted the island as their home, and in their first successful breeding season, over 9000 chicks hatched. As a result the project has received world wide acclaim.

Duration : 29m
Maturity Level : all

Nelson Mandela: A Special Tribute

Nelson Mandela: A Special Tribute

A special report that plays tribute to the South Africa\'s greatest leader Nelson Mandela, by telling the full story of his dramatic life.

Duration : 1h 27m
Maturity Level : all

Stranded

Stranded

On the 29th May 2009, 55 False Killer Whales swam ashore at Kommetjie beach in Cape Town. The public swamped the beach in an attempt to keep the beached whales alive, but before the sun set all the whales had been shot dead by authorities in bid to end their suffering. This tragic event is the starting point for a film which delves into the events of that fateful day and also examines the worldwide phenomena of why cetaceans beach.

Duration : 50m
Maturity Level : all

Icy Killers

Icy Killers

Once a year, one of nature’s great spectacles takes place on the northernmost coast of the Gulf of Alaska. It’s a collision of two massive migrations, when thousands of ravenous salmon sharks gather to attack millions of Pacific salmon. The salmon are desperately trying to reach their spawning grounds in Prince William Sound. In a matter of weeks, the sharks will eat up to 25% of the salmon. This shark is the only one equipped to ply these icy waters.

Duration : 50m
Maturity Level : all

Space Hero: China\'s First Man In Space

Space Hero: China\'s First Man In Space

China’s manned space programme was launched in 1992. Only two countries, the Soviet Union and the United States, had successfully launched a man into space, and China was determined to be the third. The space programme was conducted in secrecy. So great was the secrecy that the name of the first astronaut wasn’t made public until after he was in orbit. Yang Liwei stepped into the capsule as an unknown pilot. When he came back to Earth 14 orbits later he had become China’s first space hero.

Duration : 1h 11m
Maturity Level : all

Out Of Africa: Frogs In Demand

Out Of Africa: Frogs In Demand

In recent times, frogs from every continent around the world have suffered from unexplained high death rates, resulting in various species’ extinctions. Join Professor Louis du Preez and Marius Burger as they discover the reason for the decline of amphibians.

Duration : 50m
Maturity Level : all

Evil Unmasked: Silence Of The Bones

Evil Unmasked: Silence Of The Bones

Swaziland 2001, about 35 women and five children are found dead in the Malkerns forest. Their decomposing bodies can only be identified by the clothes lying near their remains. David Simelane allegedly confesses to the slayings and leads the police on a gruesome discovery of all the bodies. Seven years later he is still on trial. A trial dogged by controversy, ill witnesses and even a suicide attempt by Simelane himself. It is by far the longest trial in Swazi history.

Duration : 24m
Maturity Level : all

On Safer Ground

On Safer Ground

We follow a team of teenagers from Laos, as they travel to the Gothia Youth World Cup in Sweden. This adventure fulfils the boys’ dream to fly on a plane and get their first ever glimpse of the sea. No one knew the tragedy that would unfold, making the trip even more poignant and meaningful. This film documents their journey on and off the pitch in Sweden as they win over hearts and minds and deal with being the first Laos football team ever to play outside of Asia.

Duration : 54m
Maturity Level : all

On The Edge: Search And Rescue On Table Mountain

On The Edge: Search And Rescue On Table Mountain

Cape Town’s Table Mountain looks an easy climb. Droves of people chance their luck every day, but inexperience and unfamiliarity take their toll. Seasoned climbers are caught out by the Cape’s notoriously fickle weather. ‘On The Edge’ is a documentary about the volunteers who make up the search and rescue team that responds to the emergency calls. They’re a tight-knit group of people - expert mountaineers whose day-to-day lives are continually disrupted by the high drama of mountain rescue.

Duration : 54m
Maturity Level : all