Factual and Docs
Intelligent and thought-provoking
documentaries
Intelligent and thought-provoking documentaries covering Current and World Affairs, Crime and Investigation,
Wildlife and Nature as well as Science and Technology from Canada’s national public broadcaster, CBC.
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Factual and Docs
Current and World Affairs
The Captains Tale
1 x 60’
As the biggest salvage operation in modern history gets underway, this revealing documentary revisits
the Costa Concordia cruise liner disaster with an exclusive first in-depth interview with Captain Francesco
Schettino as well as surprising new twists in the stories of passengers who narrowly escaped the sinking ship.
Crossfire
1 x 60’
The tragic shooting of 20 children and six teachers at an elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut stunned
people on both sides of the border. Many hoped it would be a chance to find common ground in a nation
bitterly divided over gun rights and gun control. Instead, the sales of firearms soared and the National Rifle
Association’s membership swelled. How has the most powerful gun rights organization in the world influenced
the debate around firearms and why does the NRA refuses to accept compromise?
Return to Ukraine
1 x 60’
Canadian-Ukraine immigrant Alex Shprintsen returns to his place of birth to explore how the country’s past is
defining its current conflicts.
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Factual and Docs
The Rob Ford Story
1 x 60’
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford stood next to Police Chief Bill Blair promising to fight gang crime before it was
uncovered he was living a lifestyle fuelled by crime, drugs and alcohol. The two most powerful men in
Canada’s largest city became locked in a struggle where only one is likely to survive. The documentary
unravels the story of the man who became known worldwide as the World’s most controversial mayor.
Runaway Fighter
1 x 60’
It could prove to be the most expensive defense purchases in Canadian history - $25 billion and counting. The
military promises it’s the best fighter jet available, but some critics are saying it’s a turkey hatched from a bad
idea: a do-it-all plane that might not do anything well at all.
Voyage of the Black Dragon
1 x 60’
This surprising story of what happened to survivors of the perilous voyage of the Black Dragon, from China to
Canada, looks at the Chinese migrants who risked death for a better life only to face deportation after washing
ashore off the coast of Western Canada in 1999.
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Factual and Docs
Crime and Investigation
After the Cameras Went Away
1 x 60’
A follow up on four previous documentaries and the dramatic twists and turns that occurred afterwards. This
documentary revisits two brothers behind a crumbling casino empire; a skiers family, who after his death,
began advocating for better safety measures; a North Korean defector who reveals he fabricated parts of his
story; and the fate of the Costa Concordia’s captain.
Hunting Magnota
1 x 60’
The story of a secret group of online investigators who tracked killer Luka Magnotta for almost two years and
warned police he was dangerous and had to be stopped before his notorious and grizzly murder of Lin Jun,
a Chinese international student.
The Imperfect Spy
1 x 60’
The story of one of the biggest security breaches in Canadian history - what drove a naval intelligence officer
to walk into the Russian Embassy in Ottawa and offer his services as a spy? Featuring exclusive interviews
with a former KGB spymaster and an FBI Counter Intelligence Chief, the documentary unveils Jeffrey Delisle’s
secret life as a Russian spy.
The Man Who Hears Voices
1 x 60’
This documentary speaks to paranoid schizophrenic Jeff Arenberg for the first time since being acquitted of the
shooting and killing of a popular sportscaster, as Canada prepares to toughen laws that allow people who
commit violent acts, including murder, to be found ‘not criminally responsible’ due to mental illness.
The Last Race
1 x 60’
The revealing story behind the high speed crash that killed Canadian World Cup ski cross star Nic Zoricic and
the dangers faced by top athletes who push the limit on risky and extreme competitive courses.
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Factual and Docs
The Whistleblowers
1 x 60’
To stand up and speak out when no one else dares takes courage, but can come with the fear of reprisals.
This documentary looks at some memorable informants and uncovers that the life of a whistleblower can take
twists and turns no one ever expects.
Lucky 7
1 x 60’
A fraudulent claim to a lottery ticket changed the rules of the game. How it happened is a true-life drama
full of strange twists, false claims, counter-claims, court battles and a nifty new computer program that can
meticulously track the habits of people who play the lottery game. Investigators reveal how they found the true
winners and the lucky seven ordinary guys who suddenly struck it rich.
Kingston Pen: Secrets and Lies
1 x 60’
As the nearly 180-year-old Kingston Penitentiary, that housed some of Canada’s most notorious criminals,
prepares to close its gates for good, the stories of its three most infamous inmates are revisited: Edwin Alonzo
Boyd, leader of one of Canada’s most infamous gangs; Ty Conn, a serial bank robber who became instantly
notorious when, in 1999, he became the first inmate to escape Kingston Penitentiary in 40 years; and Guy
Paul Morin, who was the centre of one of Canada’s best-known cases of wrongful conviction.
Lost in the Struggle: The Next Chapter
1 x 60’
After one of them has been charged with first-degree murder, the search for three young men commences as
they try to make a break from a troubled neighbourhood, featured in a previous documentary about poverty
and crime.
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Factual and Docs
Mission Improbable
1 x 60’
A dream consultancy contract in Libya placed Cyndy Vanier in a Mexican prison amid charges of terrorism,
organized crime, falsifying documents and human trafficking for allegedly trying to smuggle Muammar
Gaddafi’s family in Mexico. This documentary looks at how a billion dollars worth of business with a dictator
and a mysterious plot that took her to Libya went wrong.
The Murder and the Money Trail
1 x 60’
A Canadian bank gets embroiled in allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering after one of its
bank managers is found in ditch outside of Mexico City, brutally murdered.
Rabbi of the Pure Hearts: Inside Lev Tahor
1 x 60’
When does society’s obligation to protect children trump a group’s right to religious freedom? An international
investigation gets inside the ultra-orthodox Jewish community of Lev Tahor, which faces allegations of child
abuse, and uncovers troubling facts about its leader, Rabbi Shlomo Helbrans, past.
Return to Paradise
1 x 60’
When two sisters turn up dead in a Thailand hotel, local authorities suggested everything from drugs to food
poisoning. But an investigation points to new evidence of a highly toxic pesticide used by holiday hotels in
Asia to control bedbugs - could this have caused their deaths and what other risks does it pose to tourists?
Your Tips, Our Stories
1 x 60’
Driven by public tips, CBC’s the fifith estate investigates the disturbing past of a man who promised love to
more than 10 women and delivered only deception; the mysterious death of a young blind woman where they
key witness has changed his story; and North America’s worst case of small town corruption in Dixon, Illinois.
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Factual and Docs
Rise and Fall of Mike Duffy
1 x 60’
The story behind how a disgraced Conservative Senator’s larger than life ambition and questionable expenses
ballooned into a political scandal that could take down the Senate.
The Sextortion of Amanda Todd
1 x 60’
Haunted by a revealing photo on the Internet, Amanda Todd became a victim of blackmail and sexual extortion
that ultimately drove her to her death. With never-before seen video and online chats, this documentary looks
at the real story of this young girl and how a new breed of online predators threaten youth.
The Unrepentant
1 x 60’
The story of Canada’s most frightening and dangerous criminals, whose lack of guilt and shame makes them
both fascinating and horrifying.
The Vanishing
1 x 60’
A daughter’s twelve-year quest to solve her mother’s mysterious disappearance uncovers the dark secrets of a
close-knit family.
The Widow’s Web
1 x 60’
Alleged black widow Melissa Friedrich preyed on the lonely then married and buried them according to
family members. Following an arrest in Florida, it is uncovered that she has at least 13 aliases and 30 prior
convictions for various kinds of fraud over 40 years and a manslaughter conviction for running over her first
husband with her car. Unravel the trail of deception that Melissa Friedrich took that left 2 husbands dead and
a boyfriend drugged and bankrupt.
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Factual and Docs
Wildlife and Nature
The Elephant in the Room
1 x 60’
Zoos and aquariums are big business, reportedly generating more business than all professional sports leagues
in North America combined and elephants are one of the biggest draws. But a heated controversy has erupted
between zoos and animal advocates who say a cage is no place for these gentle giants.
Elephants on Board
1 x 60’
Exclusive access to the convoy relocating three aging elephants from the only home they’ve ever known to the
PAWS sanctuary in California. This incredible journey is filled with tension, drama and unpredictability as
well as raises a spotlight on the debate about elephants in captivity.
Nuts About Squirrels
1 x 60’
Revealing the secret life of the urban squirrel with help from robotic squirrels, GPS-tracked acorns and citizen
scientists.
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Factual and Docs
The Real Avatar
1 x 60’
In the midst of an unprecedented resource “rush, “72% of the Peruvian jungle has been zoned for oil
development and according to recent studies, in just 10 years nearly half the rainforest – one of the most
biologically diverse areas on Earth – may be past the point of no return if current rates of deforestation
continue. David Suzuki sets off for the Amazon to investigate the effect this rush is having on the native peoples
who call this land their home.
Safe Haven For Chimps
1 x 60’
The touching story of how some very special chimpanzees find sanctuary and a new family when they retire
from life in a lab. Featuring an interview with world-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall.
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Factual and Docs
Science and Technology
Chasing Snowflakes
1 x 60’
Snowflakes have a huge impact on our world, but we actually don’t know much about snow. Scientists are
working to change that as they look inside avalanches and snowstorms to find out why they become so
dangerous.
David Suzuki’s Andean Adventure
1 x 60’
Internationally renowned academic and environmental activist, David Suzuki, explores the Andean region of
South America to see first-hand the places that just may represent the cutting edge when it comes to taking on
the world’s energy, climate and economic crises.
Gone Sideways
1 x 60’
Combining dramatic re-creation with cheeky animation and cleverly manipulated archival images, Gone
Sideways illustrates three areas of exploration: medicine, technology and natural science.
Supercar - Building the Car of the Future
1 x 60’
With rising fuel prices and growing environmental concerns, never before has it been so urgent to imagine
what next year’s car model might look like. But there is hope. All over the world there are people trying to
figure out how to build an environmentally and socially sound version of the car. Join engineering professor
Brian Fleck on a quest to meet the engineers, designers and even students working on new technologies to
make this possible.
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Factual and Docs
The Man Who Tweeted Earth (Chris Hatfield)
1 x 60’
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield has been called “the internet’s favorite astronaut”. He tweets, snaps
stunning photos and regularly connects with folks back home as he hurtles around the earth at 28,000 km an
hour aboard the International Space Station. Hadfield’s mission has rekindled our love for space with the first
ever documentary produced while its star subject is in orbit, featuring astronauts past, present and future, and
expert scientific collaborators.
Suzuki Diaries
1 x 60’
David Suzuki and his daughter go on a European adventure visiting countries and individuals who are
pioneers in renewable energy, clean transportation and eco-friendly agriculture. Countries visited include
Denmark, France, Germany and Spain.
Suzuki Diaries: Coastal Canada
1 x 60’
With a passion for saving the oceans, Internationally renowned academic and environmental activist, David
Suzuki and his marine biologist daughter Sarika travel the longest coastline in the World, learning about the
coastal communities’ way of life and the inhabitants’ relationship with water.
Suzuki Diaries - Future City
1 x 60’
54% of the world’s population lives in urban areas, a proportion that is expected to increase to 66% by 2050.
As we grow, how we adapt to the needs of expanding cities will have a huge impact on their livability. Food,
land use, housing, energy, waste – how we tackle these issues will determine whether our cities evolve, or
whether they decline. Internationally renowned academic and environmental activist David Suzuki and his
marine biologist daughter Sarika, set out to discover whether some of Canada’s biggest cities are ready for
the challenges of the future.
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Factual and Docs
Jellyfish Rule!
1 x 60’
No brains, no backbone, no problem! 600 million years ago jellyfish ruled the oceans and now these
mysterious and magnificent creatures may be taking over the oceans once again, only this time, they’re doing
it with our help. Discover how overfishing and other man made changes — like global warming, pollution and
coastal development — are transforming our oceans in ways that allow “jellies” to thrive.
Living City: A Critical Guide
1 x 60’
Despite Canada’s overwhelming urban demographic, Canadian cities struggle to provide the services
expected of them, whether that means collecting garbage and fixing potholes or running schools and public
transit systems. Award-winning urban affairs columnist Christopher Hume takes a cross-country journey from
Halifax to Vancouver and gives the viewer a firsthand look at what’s wrong with Canada’s aging infrastructure
and overall lack of political will.
Silence of the Labs
1 x 60’
Amid massive cuts to everything from food inspections to water quality and climate change, over 2000 federal
scientists and researchers have been dismissed from their posts, leading many of them to become unlikely
radicals. Denouncing what they call “a politically-driven war on knowledge,” they are fighting to keep the
public informed about crucial domestic and worldwide scientific research and discoveries.
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