Our World Season 17, Episode 9: South Africa: On the Edge of Darkness

Jessica and Austin: When Murder Goes Viral

In June 2020, three friends filmed themselves finding bodies in a suitcase. As their videos went viral, the lives of the victims, Jessica and Austin, were lost to rumour and speculation as people online combed through their story. Over the course of the two year trial, the programme follows the families as they try to get justice for their children, lost in a social media storm.

30 min

Brits in Battle: Ukraine

Since Vladimir Putin launched the invasion of Ukraine a year ago, many British nationals have travelled there to fight. Some have prior military experience, others have none; but all are inspired by the idea that they are making a difference. With exclusive access to months of extraordinary footage filmed on the frontline, Emma Vardy meets the soldiers who are drawn to this conflict and the family members of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

30 min

Our Tribe's Addiction

Following the work of the MHA Nation's recovery clinic and their own drug enforcement team as they try to turn a rising tide of addiction.

30 min

Inside the Illegal Puppy Trade

Puppies are a multi-billion Euro industry in Europe. But where are all these puppies coming from? Our World unveils a criminal underworld of puppy traders trafficking dogs across Europe.

30 min

My Escape from Afghanistan

In February 2022, a video emerged of a young Afghan woman screaming for help whilst her door was being kicked in by the Taliban. Little is known about what took place after - where was she taken, and for what reason? Yalda Hakim travels to Afghanistan after gaining access to her and her family once they are released from prison, and as they plot their escape from Afghanistan to Europe.

30 min

Facial Recognition - Fighting Crime?

Facial recognition technology is at the cutting edge of fighting crime in the United States. Police forces across the country can upload your image and search databases containing millions of photos scoured from the internet. Whether you’ve uploaded the photo yourself, or someone else has without your knowledge – you can be identified and tracked down. James Clayton investigates the accuracy of this controversial technology and asks whether it is invading your privacy and should be a part of law and order in America.

23 min

Finding Alaa

Azdyne Amimour is looking for his granddaughter, and trying to make amends for crimes he did not commit. Azdyne's son Samy was one of three gunmen who killed 90 people at the Bataclan theatre in Paris, in November 2015. He himself was also killed. Samy left behind a daughter, who was born in Syria shortly after the attacks. Now Azdyne is out to find her and give her the love and security she needs. Finding Alaa is the story of families struggling to live with the consequences of acts of terror and the story of one man's search for a child.

23 min

Inside El Salvador's Gang Crackdown

Once dubbed the 'murder capital' of the world, for nearly three decades, rival gangs ruled the streets of El Salvador through a regime of violence, extortion and fear. That is, until now. For the last year, the country's young, media-savvy president has launched a full-scale war on gangs, imposing emergency constitutional measures and giving police sweeping new powers of arrest. As the State of Exception passes its one-year anniversary, more than 65,000 people have been arrested and dramatic images of a new 'mega prison' hit headlines around the world. But as the country transforms before people's eyes, this newfound freedom hides a dark reality. The government is accused of locking up thousands of innocent people without trial and in flagrant abuse of their human rights. Will Grant meets families impacted by both sides of this controversial policy to uncover the hidden cost of peace on the streets.

23 min

Myanmar's War in the Air

Russia is supplying the Myanmar military with advanced fighter jets and training their pilots how to use them in a war against their own people. More than two years on from the coup, the country's military is facing a countrywide armed uprising and their troops are struggling to hold ground and recruit foot soldiers. So, the strategy is turning increasingly to the air with devastating consequences. BBC's Asia editor Rebecca Henschke follows those fighting back on the ground and in the air. And she meets defectors from the air force who give exclusive insight into the strategy and psychology behind those operating these deadly machines.

23 min

North Korea: The Insiders

For more than three years, North Korea has sealed its borders. People are banned from leaving or entering the country. Almost every foreigner who was inside has packed up and left. The world's most secretive and tyrannical state is now an information black hole. For months, three people inside North Korea have risked their lives to tell the BBC what is happening. What they reveal is shocking. Years of hard labour for those found watching foreign films and TV programmes, and execution for the ones who try to escape. Jean Mackenzie, the BBC's correspondent in South Korea, asks: is this a new dark age for North Korea?

29 min

Abortion: Life after Roe v Wade

It is a year since millions of Americans were blocked from accessing an abortion. And the debate is as divisive as ever. Our World has travelled across two neighbouring, but very different, states - Florida and Alabama - to see how restrictions are impacting essential healthcare.

23 min

Hong Kong’s Exodus

Hong Kong is facing its biggest exodus since records began. Hundreds of thousands have left since Beijing imposed a draconian national security law on the former British colony. Critics say that Hong Kong has become a police state. The majority of the political opposition have either been detained or are now living in exile. The BBC’s Danny Vincent has been following Hong Kongers determined to start a new life in the UK and those determined to stay.

30 min

Zimbabwe: Spiralling Out of Control

Zimbabwe is about to vote in its second national election following the end of Robert Mugabe’s 37-year rule in 2017. There had been hopes that the country would enter an era of renewed prosperity but for millions of Zimbabweans runaway inflation has been contributing to economic misery. Through telling the story of ordinary Zimbabweans, Shingai Nyorka makes sense of life in Zimbabwe ahead of the upcoming vote.

23 min

Life, Loss and Waiting in Ukraine

The Ukrainian army's 24th brigade has been fighting non-stop since February 2022. The uniform has stayed constant but only a handful of those fighting now have been there from the start. Mark Urban has secured unprecedented access to the brigade, meeting the drone operators on the frontline, the wives whose husbands are missing, and those being called up now to fill in behind fallen comrades.

23 min

The Trial of Enrique Tarrio

In September 2023, Enrique Tarrio was sentenced to 22 years in prison for seditious conspiracy - trying to overthrow the US government. He was the leader of the Proud Boys, a far right group which was at the forefront of the Capitol riots on 6 January 2021. So was Tarrio the puppet master behind the assault on US democracy, or simply a convenient scapegoat? With exclusive access to him in the years leading up to his arrest, Our World tells the extraordinary story of one of the most elusive and divisive characters in modern America.

23 min

Windsurf Escape: Cuba’s Migration Crisis

The Florida Straits are home to an invisible border that divides two very different worlds. Under six decades of a trade embargo, Cubans have built a way of life largely cut off from the resources of their US neighbours, just 90km away. But in July 2021, the effects of the pandemic combined with an economic crisis and food shortages triggered mass protests across the island on an unprecedented scale. A few weeks later began what is reported to be the biggest exodus of Cubans since the 1959 Revolution. Featuring never-before-seen footage, this dramatic film traces the story of three Cubans who took extraordinary risks to leave their country to reach the US. From a windsurf to an inflatable kayak, the film follows as they make the dangerous journey by any means possible. With access to the US Coast Guard, the film also captures a privileged insight into the authorities trying to protect US waters during this mass migration wave and prevent loss of life.

24 min

Ukraine's Draft Dodgers

Thousands of Ukrainian men have joined the call to fight for their country since Russia's invasion in February last year. But what of those who decided military service was not for them? Our World investigates how many Ukrainians have dodged the call-up, why they don't want to stay and fight and hears from the border guards who come face to face with these so-called draft dodgers on a daily basis.

Lady of the Hills: The Thai Wife Killing

Nearly twenty years ago the half-naked body of a Thai woman was found by walkers in a remote part of the Yorkshire Dales in England. The autopsy proved inconclusive, and an inquest failed to reveal how she died.

24 min

Escape from Lahaina

In August 2023, the most deadly fire in modern US history struck Lahaina on the Hawaiian island of Maui. James Clayton investigates why it was so hard to escape the city.

24 min

Saving the Mighty Mekong River

The Mekong River is arguably one of the most important in the world. It sustains more than sixty million lives as it travels through China and Southeast Asia. But an onslaught of dam building, intensifying climate change and sand dredging has had a catastrophic effect. Laura Bicker is in Cambodia to ask if the mighty Mekong can be saved and meets a new generation trying to breathe life into the dying river.

23 min