Documentary
Jonathan Meades travels from the flatlands of Flanders to Germany's spectacular Baltic coast in an attempt to decipher exactly what northernness entails.


Jonathan Meades travels from the flatlands of Flanders to Germany's spectacular Baltic coast in an attempt to decipher exactly what northernness entails. Is it to be found in gothic spires, herrings, grotesquerie, fantastical skylines or creepily dark woods?

Jonathan Meades travels through the Baltic states to Finland in an attempt to decipher exactly what the concept of northernness entails. On his way he sees massive castles, tiny pasties, Lith dancing, totem poles, terrestrial sputniks and many, many crosses.

Self

Host Peter Barakan delves into various aspects of Japanese culture; exploring practices, history, and modern innovations in such areas as ramen, rice, sushi, geisha, bonsai, and so much more. Local experts discuss their passions at fascinating length, and American Japanophile Matt Alt experiences the food, practices, and cultures in each episode in depth. Viewers will finish each half hour episode with a new understanding of an area of Japanese life through demonstrative videos and explanations, all delivered respectfully and true to the Japanese way of life.

Commanding shoguns and samurai warriors, exotic geisha and exquisite artisans—all were part of the Japanese “renaissance”; a period between the 16th and 19th Centuries when Japan went from chaos and violence to a land of ritual refinement and peace. But stability came at a price: for nearly 250 years, Japan was a land closed to the Western world, ruled by the Shogun under his absolute power and control. Japan: Memoirs of a Secret Empire brings to life the unknown story of a mysterious empire, its relationship with the West, and the forging of a nation that would emerge as one of the most important countries in the world.

This monthly half-hour series is the work of Akron producer Blue Green, who says, “The goal of the show is to shine a spotlight on all of the good things that Akron has to offer.” Green noted that the city of Akron is a wonderful place in which to live, work, stay and play, but he feels “to truly be a great city, we need our own Akron-based news and local television programming.” Each show consists of four stories, including segments on dining, arts and culture, history, business, and movers and shakers.