An investigation into the tricks of holiday scammers, talking to victims and experts, and advice on how to fight back.
Social & External
A look at the work and surprising success of a four-year-old girl whose paintings have been compared to the likes of Picasso and has raked in hundreds of thousands of dollars.
In the bitter winter of 1978, four desperate council members from a small Virginia town hatched a daring Bigfoot hoax to save it from the brink of bankruptcy. But as the money grew, so did the greed-triggering the town's first unsolved murder.
Interviews with leading authors, philosophers and scientists, with an in-depth discussion of the Law of Attraction. The audience is shown how they can learn and use 'The Secret' in their everyday lives.
In 2014, businessman Cédric Naudon announced that he would launch the Jeune Rue project in Paris's 3rd arrondissement: a street that would become a hub for luxury, design, and gastronomy. The Parisian elite was thrilled to hear Naudon's plans. But this utopia ultimately turned out to be an empty shell.
The corruption runs deeper than you'd ever imagine. A multi-billion dollar industry you've never heard of. This is the world Patent Trolls thrive in: A world created for them by our own U. S. Patent system. You can be sued for clicking on a hyperlink, using your own scanner, or sharing your Wi-Fi! It sounds insane, but the reality is even crazier. Patent Trolls look for obvious ideas, patent them, and then sue anyone they claim is infringing on their idea. People's lives and businesses are being destroyed.. and they have no way out. “The Patent Scam” exposes the underbelly of this system, and the people that commit this practice.
How a Somerset high-flyer turned his charm and connections into tools of deception – conning his school friends and hundreds of others while living a life of glamour himself.
Grandchild fraudsters scare their victims on the phone with so-called "shock calls". The losses run into millions. Month after month. Many victims are left severely traumatized. But the scam has a weak point. And the izzy team has found it. During a year-long investigation, izzy figurehead Cedric Schild pretends to be an elderly person and supposed victim on the phone. This not only makes for a few laughs, but also drives the perpetrators crazy - at the same time, the editorial team penetrates deep into the structures of the criminal clans. Thanks to more than 1200 minutes of recorded conversations from real shock calls, the izzy film "Die Enkeltrick Betrüger" shows all the tricks used by fraudsters for the first time and thus makes an important contribution to prevention. In cooperation with the law enforcement authorities, the perpetrators are arrested in front of the cameras.
Wincapita documentary film gives a silenced perspective on Finland's alleged biggest financial crime and pyramid scheme.
Investigation into a highly sophisticated scam involving criminal gangs, modern-day slavery and victims around the world who have lost millions of dollars.
Documentary about best-selling author and informercial pioneer Kevin Trudeau.
This documentary traces the rise and crash of scammers who conned the EU carbon quota system and pocketed millions before turning on one another.
A polka kingdom crumbles in this documentary tracing the rise and fall of dubious duple meter master Jan Lewan. A Grammy-nominated polka superstar who defected from Poland to the West in the 1970s, Lewan created a musical empire that made him an internationally-recognized figure. When scandal erupted and Lewan's shady dealings were revealed, fans couldn't believe that their hero had committed one of the largest polka-related financial crimes in history.
In 2013, online clay animator Robert Benfer scammed hundreds of fans out of thousands of dollars and has continued to become less of the independent film icon he used to be, though his unique influence on video creators remains to this day. This film not only sheds light on how Benfer's films impacted young filmmakers, but also how a talented independent artist can fall from grace no matter how obscure they are.
In 2008, an overview of Scientology was presented in a DVD format, featuring L. Ron Hubbard himself describing the core tenets of the religion. The DVD, titled "Scientology: An Overview," provides an introduction to the religion's beliefs and practices, as well as a biographical look at Hubbard's life. It also showcases individual Scientologists discussing their experiences and includes a tour of a Church of Scientology Find out for yourself, with this DVD presentation of more than 80 videos, including: -A biography of Scientology Founder L. Ron Hubbard -The beliefs of Scientology -Individual Scientologists speaking about their religion -A tour of a Church of Scientology -Church of Scientology social betterment programs -Dianetics (forerunner and substudy of Scientology) around the world today
It's 2020. Covid Britain is in lockdown and the world is working from home. In the depths of the deadly pandemic and when people are at their lowest, someone spots an opportunity.
A 1966 interview with L. Ron Hubbard about his creation, Scientology. Filmed in Salisbury, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), An Introduction to Scientology is the only televised interview given by L. Ron Hubbard. In this interview, LRH explains the history of Scientology, its status as a religion and its benefits on human society.
A marketing scam video from 1990. Take a glimpse at some retro financial chicanery.
A string of threatening emails escalates into a revenge plot involving a newly married US marshal and his ex-girlfriend.
An inside look at one of the most anticipated movie sequels ever with James Cameron and cast.
Alex Gibney explores the phenomenon of Stuxnet, a self-replicating computer virus discovered in 2010 by international IT experts. Evidently commissioned by the US and Israeli governments, this malware was designed to specifically sabotage Iran’s nuclear programme. However, the complex computer worm ended up not only infecting its intended target but also spreading uncontrollably.
Alex Gibney explores the charged issue of pedophilia in the Catholic Church, following a trail from the first known protest against clerical sexual abuse in the United States and all way to the Vatican.
In an intimate and joyful story of love in the face of loss, celebrated poets Andrea Gibson and Megan Falley find strength—and unexpected hilarity—in what might be their final year together.
Through deeply personal interviews with her siblings and an examination of the photographs, letters, and belongings left behind, Mariska assembles a new portrait of her mother Jayne Mansfield, an extraordinary and complex woman.
Film adaptation of French economist Thomas Piketty's ground-breaking global bestseller of the same name: an eye-opening journey through wealth and power.
Behind the scenes look at fight choreography and action training.
A 1993 documentary film about Bruce Lee. The film includes interviews from some of his fellow students and opponents who worked alongside him in his movies.
A documentary about the making of season five of the acclaimed AMC series Breaking Bad.
The Making-of James Cameron's Avatar. It shows interesting parts of the work on the set.
A look at the origins, history and conspiracies behind the "Majestic 12", a clandestine group of military and corporate figureheads charged with reverse-engineering extraterrestrial technology.
Join the likes of Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, Florence Pugh, and Vincent D’Onofrio as they reveal how Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” was conceived and created. Witness firsthand what it took to pull off the show’s pulse-pounding action set pieces, and discover how iconic characters from the pages of Marvel Comics such as Kate Bishop were adapted and brought to life for the six-episode series.
Featuring interviews with filmmakers and industry legends, discover the origins and evolution of The Joker, and learn why The Clown Prince of Crime is universally hailed as the greatest comic-book supervillain of all time.
The life of Mr. Spock, as well as that of Leonard Nimoy, the actor who played him for almost fifty years, written and directed by his son: Adam.
A documentary about the life and films of director John Ford.
Join director Clint Eastwood and his creative team, along with Bradley Cooper and Sienna Miller, as they overcome enormous creative and logistic obstacles to make a film that brings the truth of Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's story to the screen.
Legendary journalist Gay Talese unmasks a motel owner who spied on his guests for decades. But his bombshell story soon becomes a scandal of its own.
A detailing of the rise to prominence and global sporting superstardom of six supremely talented young Manchester United football players (David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Phil and Gary Neville). The film covers the period 1992-1999, culminating in Manchester United's European Cup triumph.