Van Reijin, a video creator based in the Netherlands, spent a week in Yangshuo, a region located in Southeast China. The closest city being Guilin in Guangxi province, it’s situated between the Li River and karst peaks. This beautiful area is famous throughout China and depicted on the 20 yuan bill. The landscape is surrounded by limestone, dolomite and gypsum mountains. Yangshuo is a popular destination for climbers and became a tourist hub in the 1980s. In the summer, people swim in the Li River and bike alongside it.
VIDEO: Shadows of Bangkok
Bangkok, or Krung Thep, “The City of Angels”, is the capital of Thailand and home to more than 10 million people. The city is a composite of temples, factories, cultural sites, residences and shops. Emerging from political unrest in the 1990s and early 2010s, Bangkok has become a popular destination in its own right; gone are the days when travelers viewed the city as a simple pitstop on the way to Thailand’s beautiful beaches and islands. Escaping “from the typical travel videos that are usually made about Bangkok,” director and scriptwriter Jiajie Yu, based in Barcelona and Madrid, provides a glimpse into the everyday lives of Bangkok’s residents. He showcases “Bangkok in a cinematographic way,” introducing us to the quotidien and silent moments of a city that is usually portrayed as teeming with bright lights and action. Through “faces, alleys, sounds, and music,” Yu creates a subtle yet mesmerizing depiction of Bangkok.
VIDEO: In Morocco—From Casablanca to the Sahara
Morocco is a heady mix of languages, cultures, religions, ancient traditions and modern sensibilities. It conjures up images of mint tea and tagine, date plantations and minarets, labyrinth medinas and pungent spice talls. Here's some shots that were taken during a road trip from Morocco starting from Fez to Chefchaouen to Casablanca to Marrakech and all the way to Sahara desert.
VIDEO: The Man Behind the World’s Largest Beach Cleanup
In 2015, Versova Beach in Mumbai was little more than a dumping ground for garbage and waste. After witnessing the devastating impact the refuse was having on the ocean, young lawyer Afroz Shah, with the help of 84-year-old neighbor Harbansh Mathur, decided to take matters into their own hands. What started off as a single man’s mission to clean up his favorite childhood beach turned into the world’s largest beach cleanup initiative with 70,000 adult volunteers and 60,000 student volunteers. After three years of work, Shah and hundreds of volunteers had cleaned up over 9 million kilograms of plastic and waste, with hopes to expand their initiative to other beaches in the future. The beach is now clean enough to welcome olive ridley sea turtles ready to lay their eggs to its shores. In 2016, Shah was awarded the UN’s Champions of the Earth award. He is currently working to clean Mithi River, Mumbai’s longest river.
VIDEO: Journey Through Thailand
This footage of Thailand serves as the second installment in Vincent Urban’s series: “In Asia.” The video features glimpses into the vibrant streets of Bangkok and the natural scenery of Northern Thailand. He also features footage from the small but lively town of Pai, located near a mountain base in Northern Thailand. The director includes evocative imagery of Buddhist temples from his visit to the city of Chiang Mai, capital of Chiang Mai province. German director Vincent Urban, based in New York City, concludes the episode teasing his next stop, Laos, for the following installment of the series.
VIDEO: Skating the Indian Holi Festival
Holi is a festival celebrated widely throughout India and is also known as the “festival of love.” Often represented through the popular activity of throwing vibrantly colored powder, it is a celebration in which people shed resentments of the past to rejoice together. Though originating from the Hindu religion, Holi helps unite different groups, as non-Hindus participate in the holiday as well. Throughout the country, different regions celebrate Holi in different ways; the state of Manipur enjoys a six-day festival, while other groups celebrate for one day and one night. Holi is rooted in multiple religious tales that celebrate the triumph of good over evil and truth over falsehood. For example, the famous colored powder originates from the story of the deities Krishna and Radha, and each color represents something (like red for love and green for new beginnings). Above all, Holi is a time to have fun and enjoy the loosening of social constraints; to drink bhang (an intoxicating drink made from cannabis leaves and buds), play practical jokes and dance.
Michael Mackrodt and Vladik Scholz had the opportunity to skateboard in Rajasthan during the festival. Their “wingman” David Zvereff describes skateboarding as “an activity that combines athletic endeavor with the urge to explore the cities of the world.” Director Patrik Wallner captured their journey and has also produced skateboarding films set in the Maldives, Georgia, Aremania, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and many other countries.
VIDEO: Mama Rwanda
Located at the converging point between the African Great Lakes region and East Africa, the Republic of Rwanda is an environmentally, economically and culturally diverse country rebuilding its identity in the wake of the 1994 Rwandan genocide, in which approximately 800,000 Tutsis were killed by Hutu extremists. The country takes pride in its regional fauna, which includes elephants, gorillas, hippos, giraffes and zebras. Travelers interested in viewing Rwandan wildlife can observe it in three national parks: Volcanoes National Park, Nyungwe Forest National Park and Akagera National Park. “Mama Rwanda” also shows Kigali, the capital of Rwanda and the heart of its economic and cultural life. The city boasts a vibrant marketplace and architecture that combines traditional and modern styles. Outside the city, Rwanda’s expansive coffee growing fields are tended by over 450,000 planters. Basket weaving has been an important aspect of Rwandan culture for centuries and is now being used by women impacted by the Rwandan genocide to pursue greater economic independence as producers within an international market. Hutu and Tutsi women have come together to weave baskets, a practice that is now a symbol of national reconciliation. These businesses sell their wares to both small stores and large department stores like Macy’s. The profits of weaving companies are often used to support Rwandan families in need of food and medicine.
VIDEO: E-Waste Landfill in India
Providing insight into the landscape of the Bhalswa Landfill in northwestern Delhi, this film reveals that the task of sifting through e-waste, unwanted electronic products and parts, falls to members of the urban poor in the developing world. E-waste is collected and managed along railroads and in massive heaps, sometimes even by children. This waste is known to be harmful to human health; e-waste contains hazardous chemicals and toxins that especially affect children. The Bhalswa landfill was supposed to be shut down in 2007 but is still currently in operation and thus over capacity. Multiple fires have occured in the landfill, releasing toxic pollution into the air. This film is a product of the E-Waste Tsunami project, headed by Susannah Pal, who aims to use art to raise awareness about electronic waste.
VIDEO: Growing Up in a Megaslum in Kenya
Joseph Djemba grew up in Kibera, Kenya, the largest urban slum in Africa. Djemba found himself there when his mother became unable to support her eleven children after the death of her husband. Djemba describes his childhood sleeping outside and begging for food, detailing the psychological impacts of living in poverty. He also notes the large gap between the rich and the poor in Kenya and discusses how impoverished people help each other survive. Djemba is the main character in “Megaslumming,” a book by Adam Parsons. In his work, Parsons explores how the settlement of Kibera came into existence and documents what life is like for those who live in slums.
Get Involved:
Touch Kibera Foundation is a non-profit organization devoted to uplifting children who live in Kibera, Kenya through sports programs, sexual health programs, education support and mentorship opportunities. Donations are accepted online, and more information can be found here.
Polycom Development Project is a foundation which seeks to provide educational and athletic opportunities to girls and women in Kibera. The organization is also devoted to promoting sanitation and public health. Donations are accepted online, and more information can be found here.
St. Vincent de Paul Community Development Organization aims to provide support to orphaned and other vulnerable children in Kibera. The organization supports families and seeks to intervene on behalf of children at an early stage in their development. Donations are accepted online, and more information can be found here.
VIDEO: Experience Southeast Asia
In his trailer for “In Asia,” German director Vincent Urban highlights memorable experiences in his trip to Southeast Asia. Over two months, Urban traveled to Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos. We are transported to Bangkok, the capital of Thailand, a city with night skies full of fireworks and streets teeming with music. Urban next introduces us to the Southeast Asian landscapes he encounters. He highlights the tropical climates of Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia and Laos with footage of waterfalls, aquamarine waters, beaches and coral reefs. Urban also highlights Buddhist culture by featuring images of the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia, the largest temple complex in the world. The individual episodes of “In Asia” provide greater context for the footage within this trailer and are certainly worth viewing if you would like to learn more about Thai, Cambodian, Malaysian and Laotian cultures.
VIDEO: Angkor Wat to Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Set to a mesmerizing soundtrack, this footage of Cambodia highlights the natural beauty of the country’s tropical landscape, as well as provides insight into the daily lives of its people. As viewers, we travel from surrene Angkor Wat—the world famous Buddhist temple complex—to Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s lively and bustling capital city. German director Vincent Urban, who is from Munich now based in New York City, concludes the episode teasing his next stop, Thailand, for the following installment of his series: “In Asia.”
IMMERSIVE VIDEO: Comb Ridge
Comb Ridge spans almost 80 miles from southeastern Utah to northeastern Arizona, merging with the Abajo Mountains and the San Juan River. But its massive scope isn’t the only thing impressive about this monocline—its eastern side is a living museum full of long-abandoned homes and carvings created by ancient Pueblo people inhabiting the area. This video not only describes the history of the stone carvings from an Indigenous perspective, but it also allows viewers to zoom in and look around the area. Explore various corners of the rock simply by scrolling, and learn a little bit more about Pueblo tradition and artistry.
VIDEO: A Diary of Senegal
In a departure from typical travelogues, this video shows a unique picture of Senegal through glimpses into everyday rural life with a focus on the children growing up in this beautiful country. Each clip showcases the diversity in landscape, culture, and lifestyle Senegal’s people experience—all bound together by an enthusiasm for life. After watching this video, you’ll want to dance with the people on screen.
VIDEO: The Sounds of Kenya
Kenya, located in East Africa, is home to a diverse collection of tribes, cultures, and religions that all intermingle to create the country that over 52 million people call home. While it has undergone development in the late 20th and 21st century, it still has vast swathes of untouched land that is as varied as the people that live on it. This video gives viewers a glimpse of the many different people, places, and landmarks in Kenya, with a focus on the daily joy that residents experience and share with those close to them. While the Kenyans appearing in the video may be from different tribes, they all share the same appreciation for their community and the land that surrounds them.
Video: The Natural Beauty of Morocco
Morocco, located at the northwestern-most point of Africa, is a country with a rich history and culture featuring Arabian, Berber, and European influences. Its position off the Mediterranean Sea allows it to absorb new architecture styles, art, and cuisine, yet it also stays true to its roots while incorporating the cultures of the Saharan and sub-Saharan countries around it. These different cultural influences can be seen most prominently in the architecture captured in this video; centuries-old buildings coexist with winding highways in an ever-modernizing world. The video also shows Moroccan cities’ relationship with nature, juxtaposing busy streets with empty deserts. The visuals are not only breathtaking, but poignant, as they reveal a country with one foot in history and one foot in the now.
VIDEO: India’s "Death Hotels"
Varanasi, the most sacred of India’s seven holy cities, is home to several so-called “death hotels.” Unlike their morbid name, these hotels are actually places of peaceful worship where devout Hindus aspire to reach moksha — liberation from the infinite cycle of rebirth. Believers check in and remain until they die, a time that ranges from days to years. This video explores the ancient, often emotional, rituals of preparing for moksha from the viewpoint of hotel owners, pilgrims, cremation workers, and the family of those soon to be departing. Set on the banks of the Ganges River, it intertwines themes of religion, caste, family, and mortality into a masterpiece that shows an entirely new perspective on how to deal with death.
Video: India’s Snake-Catching Business Through the Eyes of a Teen
Varanasi is over 5,000 years old and one of the holiest cities in India. Like the rest of the country, however, Varanasi is inundated with venomous snakes which often infest houses and endanger the population. The people hired to catch these snakes are often under-educated and suffer from a low-income, forced to turn to a dangerous job to make ends meet.
This mini-documentary follows Ali, a 16 year-old boy who is one of the best snake catchers in the city. His work takes him all over the city and through meetings with tourists, police, and people from all walks of life, yet the most important people are his family, who he supports by risking his life every day.
VIDEO: Indian National Labor Strike
In September 2020, India passed new agriculture laws that make it much more difficult for farmers to sell their produce at assured rates, as they allow for big corporations to bypass state-controlled markets and buy crops at much lower prices. Since then, various labor unions, political parties, and retail groups have banded together in a standoff against the government to protest this legislation. Strikes are happening in over 20,000 locations across the country; November 26 and 27 of 2020 had a record 250 million people take to the streets in protest, and the marching has not stopped. While farmers continue to hold out in the hope of agriculture legislation reform, it is difficult to get the most current information from the country due to massive communication disruptions. This video details the situation in December 2020, providing an intimate look into the lives, aspirations, and fears of the farmers most affected by the new laws.
From Everest to Kathmandu: The Wonders of Nepal
Nepal is most famous for being the home of Mount Everest, one of the 7 natural wonders of the world. However, you don’t have to be a mountaineer to appreciate the beauty of this remote country, which boasts much more than its high peaks and rocky slopes. The monasteries of Nepal demonstrate the deep spirituality of many of its people and their decision to live in harmony with the natural world. Nepal’s main religions are Hinduism and Buddhism, and it has historical significance for both of these faiths. As the world’s only Hindu kingdom, as well as the birthplace of Buddha, Nepal’s religious history is rich and vibrant. This can be seen today in its people, architecture, and majesty of the natural world.
Peru and Bolivia: A Short Film Capturing the Beauty of the Mountains
High in the Andes mountains, the people of Peru and Bolivia inhabit one of the most unique landscapes in the world. From rainforests to rocky slopes, towns and cities coexist with the wildlife and the natural topography in a way that seems as though they were created by nature as well as human innovation.
The people living in these cities blend historical traditions with the technological advancements of the modern age— retaining the beauty of their culture, dress, and craftsmanship and passing it down to the next generation. This video, directed and edited by Baptiste Lanne, highlights the beauty of both Peru and Bolivia’s varied climate, geography, and people, illustrating the complex balance of humanity and nature. The breathtaking scenes are interspersed with shots of people’s daily lives; both are equally beautiful.