Documentary
Broadcaster and journalist Samira Ahmed goes on a remarkable journey to places rarely seen, as she travels through Iran, telling the story of a complex and fascinating people, culture and history.


Since Ayatollah Khomeini brought revolution to Iran in 1979, the country has become a byword for radical Islam. Western documentary teams are seldom given access, but broadcaster and journalist Samira Ahmed has been given a rare opportunity to discover Iran’s rich, colourful culture and extraordinary history. In this first episode, Samira journeys to places rarely seen by western audiences to reveal how the Persian Empire was born, the mysterious writing of its early people and how Iran’s powerful kings built a vast empire that became the envy of the ancient world.

Broadcaster and journalist Samira Ahmed takes viewers on a remarkable journey to places rarely seen, as she travels through Iran, telling the story of a complex and fascinating people, their culture and their history. Samira gives a remarkable account of the clash between two powerful civilisations and explains how Iran preserved its distinctive language and culture despite the Arab conquest of Persia in AD651. From Zoroastrian fire temples to the fabled bazaars of Aladdin and an ancient magical storybook that became Iran’s national myth, this second episode in the series reveals how the country has proudly held onto its Persian identity, art and literature to this day.

In the last episode, Samira Ahmed travels to the crumbling ruins of an ancient walled city and goes back to when Persia faced her gravest threat - Genghis Khan. But from the death and destruction there emerged a golden age of Persian poetry and art. In the fabled city of Isfahan, Samira encounters the dynasty of shahs that succeeded the Mongols - the Safavids, who gave Iran a powerful new identity through Shia Islam and carved its message in stone, brick and tile. Finally, Samira travels to Persepolis to tell the story of Iran’s last shah and his ill-fated attempt to link his dynasty to Persia’s ancient kings, with momentous consequences for the world.

Self - Presenter

Through the eyes of Thomas Erdbrink, you see an Iran that is rarely featured in news reports. The first series was broadcast in 2015 and was also shown in seven short parts in The New York Times. In June 2015, 'Onze man' won the Silver Nipkow Disc, the award for the best television program, and in 2016 the journalistic award De Tegel. The second series (five episodes) was broadcast in April and May 2018.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps or IRGC is the protector of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the military arm of the Supreme Leader. Also known as the Pasdaran, this deep-state mafia comprising 120,000 men has extensive powers, ensuring bloody repression of the people. No strangers to smuggling and trafficking, the IRGC’s economic empire is worth hundreds of billions of dollars. The Supreme Leader Khomeini has allowed the organization to infiltrate the state and its members are now mayors, members of parliament and ministers, cultivating their networks at the highest levels. The IRGC is responsible for Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and cultivates not only the art of deterrence, but also a strategy of asymmetrical warfare via the militias and terrorist organizations they finance, arm, and control across the Middle East.

Bitter Rivals illuminates the essential history - and profound ripple effect - of Iran and Saudi Arabia's power struggle. It draws on scores of interviews with political, religious and military leaders, militia commanders, diplomats, and policy experts, painting American television's most comprehensive picture of a feud that has reshaped the Middle East.

Explorer Levison Wood - famous for Walking the Nile, Walking the Himalayas and Walking the Americas - is taking on a new expedition in this four-part series: to cross the mighty Caucusus mountain range that lies between Russia and Iran. And as well as a new region of the world, Levison is taking a new approach to exploring: making his way by any means necessary. Travelling with the locals and living as they do, Levison's epic, 2,600-mile journey takes him through five countries, crossing the wild lands on the tense frontier between Europe and Asia and visiting some of the most fascinating and diverse people's on earth.

Iran Gard is a television documentary series that showcases the natural landscapes and ways of life in Iran’s nomadic communities and rural villages. Javad Gharaei, the director, producer, and narrator of the documentary, travels with a professional film crew to various cities and provinces across Iran, documenting the lives, traditions, and customs of the people living in these regions.

Set in October 1977, on the brink of the Iranian Revolution, a forbidden love story unfolds between Khosrow, a SAVAK officer, and Shirin, a young woman accused of political activism. Amidst growing political unrest, their passion blooms in secrecy, forcing them to confront dangerous choices. Torn between loyalty to their homeland and their love, they must navigate a path of betrayal, survival, and defiance as the revolution looms. A powerful tale of love, freedom, and sacrifice in a time of turmoil.

تستعيد علاقة الحب بين "أيسان" و"جاكان" حيويتها من جديد بعد أن اجتازا معاً أصعب أيام حياتهما؛ فيذهبان في شهر عسلٍ ليرعيا شجرة حبهما... وهي رحلة تنتهي في ظلام دامس. Aisan and Jakan's love bond gets a new life after going through the difficult days of their life together. They go on their honeymoon to water their love tree...a journey that ends in darkness.