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RTDoc features original series and films on the most intriguing cultural, historical, environmental and human interest stories from around the world, as well as exclusive documentaries about Russia, produced in-house by RT.
RTDoc’s creations have won international prizes such as Media Excellence and New York Festivals Awards, and gained a strong following amongst cable providers worldwide.

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Politics. Ecuador: Invisible War

27:14

An investigative film about how the US spent years using the war on drugs as cover for maintaining a military presence in Ecuador. After the American base in Manta closed, Ecuador remained free of foreign military bases for 16 years. But under President Daniel Noboa, US troops came back for what they called a ‘temporary mission’. Behind the big politics lie ordinary people’s lives. For more than 20 years, María has been trying to find out what happened to her husband, who vanished at sea without a trace along with 17 other fishermen. She suspects the American military may have had something to do with it. Olga Kiriy’s film lays bare double standards and human rights violations in an attempt to determine who the real threat to Ecuadorians really is – the drug cartels or foreign military operations?

Добавить в избранное Nature & Travel. Abkhazia: A Land with Soul 26:05 This documentary explores life in modern-day Abkhazia and its people, who passionately preserve their country’s identity and culture. The local name for Abkhazia – Apsny – means ‘Land of the Soul’. This soul has manifested itself throughout history in the crafts and creativity of the Abkhazian people. Classical musicians hold festivals in Sukhumi and Pitsunda, while DJs create contemporary arrangements of folk tunes. Local theatre productions are performed in the Abkhaz language, and designers are finding fresh looks for modern women that honour ancient traditions. Abkhazia is also a land of brave warriors. For centuries, men have been taught to handle weapons and stand ready to defend their homeland. After battles, warriors would heal their wounds with the help of the ‘Song of the Wound’. This very song saved Alias Avidzba, a soldier and veteran of the Special Military Operation, who was seriously injured during the battle for Avdeevka. The song of his ancestors helped him endure the pain while he was in hospital. Today, the Land of the Soul is experiencing a political, economic, and cultural revival. Russia provides Abkhazia with comprehensive support, aiding in the development of its arts and tourism industry, as well as the restoration of its infrastructure.

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. Taking on Elbrus 25:01 What drives someone to dream of climbing Elbrus? Peter Scott heads for Europe’s highest peak to find out what it takes to climb more than 5,000 metres above sea level. The instructors tell Peter that a successful ascent starts with choosing an experienced guide, preparing the right equipment and learning essential safety techniques. Mental preparation is just as important: climbing Elbrus requires determination and confidence. During the ascent, it is essential to monitor your health. Altitude sickness can cause headaches, disturbed sleep and loss of appetite. If these symptoms appear, climbers may need to descend to a lower altitude. Experienced rescuers explain why it is so important to assess your abilities and the weather conditions realistically — and why sometimes turning back is safer than risking your life. In this episode of Inland Visions, discover the superstitions shared by climbers, see how EMERCOM rescuers help tourists in the mountains, and find out whether Peter Scott manages to raise the RT flag on the summit of Elbrus.

Добавить в избранное Sasha meets Russia. Flavors of the East. Saint Petersburg: Peter's Impossible Dream 28:41 Saint Petersburg was born from Peter the Great’s vision of giving Russia access to the sea, and grew into a symbol of a new and powerful nation. Sasha, an American with Russian roots, arrives in the city on the Neva to experience its character first-hand and discover why it is known as Russia’s cultural capital. She dances at a ball in Yelagin Palace, explores the city’s canals and meets the Hermitage cats — the four-legged guardians of its priceless masterpieces. She also tries smelt, the fish that’s considered the quintessential taste of spring. But Saint Petersburg is more than grand palaces and sweeping squares. It is also warm, sugar-dusted doughnuts, ballet, canal boat rides and the quiet magic of the White Nights. Sasha reveals a vibrant, authentic side of the city — the Saint Petersburg its residents know and love.

Добавить в избранное Curious Tofurious. Sochi 49:10 Tofurious heads to Sochi — a city on the Black Sea coast, where the sun shines for almost 300 days a year and subtropical greenery compliments the snow-covered peaks of the Caucasus. Every year, more than 2.5 million tourists come here for the sea air, the mountains and year-round holidays. Our curious American takes a cable car to the Krasnaya Polyana mountain resort, developed for the 2014 Winter Olympics. He tries some of its extreme attractions but lets his colleagues try out the zip line, all at an altitude of 2,320 metres, surrounded by panoramic mountain views and clouds. Tofurious samples dishes prepared to 19th-century recipes in a local restaurant and samples homemade Sochi beer. Discover seaside subtropics, mountain adventures and Krasnaya Polyana’s historic recipes in this new episode.

Добавить в избранное Nature & Travel. Green Sheep Drive 52:06 In southern Russia, there are places where fertile land is gradually turning to sand. In the arid regions of Dagestan, Kalmykia, and Astrakhan, the soil has been losing moisture and vegetation for years as a result of heat. The situation is worsened by overgrazing – a global problem which occurs when animals graze on the same pasture for too long, without giving the land time to recover. Local people and specialists are looking for ways to halt the advance of the desert. In Dagestan, shepherds use a traditional migratory grazing method – every spring, they drive their sheep from lowland pastures up into the mountains, where summers are cooler and grass is more abundant. While the animals graze on high-altitude meadows, the lowland pastures have time to rest and regenerate. In Kalmykia and Astrakhan Region, specialists monitor soil conditions and plant juzgun – a shrub with a powerful root system that helps stabilise the sandy soil and keep it from spreading. Green Sheep Drive is the story of people fighting desertification and striving to restore the land’s fertility.

Добавить в избранное History. Fidel 54:53 This film marks the 100th anniversary of Fidel Castro's birth and tells the story of the Cuban leader's life. Fidel survived over 600 assassination attempts by the CIA – his ideals made him a prime target. Despite relentless pressure from the United States, he managed to force Washington to treat Cuba as a power to be reckoned with. During Castro's rule, the country made remarkable strides in medicine, science, and education, despite enduring decades of an American economic embargo. In the Soviet Union, it was often said that Fidel had turned Cuba into an 'island of freedom'. Castro first came to Moscow in 1963. That visit would go down in history – no foreign leader had ever addressed the nation from the podium of Lenin's Mausoleum before. Decades on, Fidel's ideas remain alive, and for many, he still stands as a symbol of freedom and independence.

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. Across the Steppes of Kalmykia 22:29 In the Republic of Kalmykia, culture and nature intertwine in the most extraordinary way. Peter Scott journeyed out into the vast steppes to witness this unique harmony with his own eyes. Peter met with the ensemble of the Oiraty Theatre, which performs traditional folk dances. Th chicherdyk dance is wonderfully energetic and inspired by nature – the choreography is reminiscent of the thunder of horse hooves, while the dancers’ costumes are as vivid as the bright tulips for which the Republic is famous. The singing also has a character all its own. The Kalmyks have mastered the art of throat singing – a performance style that mimics the call of the saiga antelope, which is found only in this part of the world. Many centuries ago, Kalmyk warriors began incorporating a similar sound into their battle cries, and nomadic peoples would even use it to calculate distances. For instance, if it took three renditions of a one-hour song to reach the next village, then the journey was said to be ‘three songs long’. What is the Black Lands nature reserve proud of, what is the Pink Lake’s secret, and is it true that camels love vanilla ice cream? Find out in the latest episode of Inland Visions!

Добавить в избранное RUSSIA: INLAND VISION. Adygea: a journey through mountains, rivers, and winds 22:29 In his latest adventure, Peter Scott discovered the unique landscapes of Adygea across three elements – on the water, on land, and in the air. Peter kicked off with extreme rafting down the Belaya River. In this region, this activity is available even in winter, with temperatures as low as -15°C. Just don’t forget a good wetsuit! Then Peter swapped his life jacket for climbing gear and made his way up sheer cliffs to the Mishoko Gorge. The views from up there are absolutely breathtaking. To round off his journey, Peter took in Adygea from a bird's-eye view while gliding in a motorised paraglider.

Добавить в избранное Sasha meets Russia. Flavors of the East. Altay: Where Mountains Meet the Sky 28:05 Altay is Russia's wild East, a land of rivers and mountain valleys, ancient traditions and unique cuisine. Sasha, an American with Russian roots, begins her journey along the Chuysky Trakt, the legendary Siberian highway stretching nearly 1,000 kilometres. Once part of the Great Silk Road, today it’s one of the world’s most scenic routes, and Sasha experiences it on horseback. To truly discover the spirit of Altay, tasting the local cuisine is a must: kocho, a hearty lamb soup; tea brewed with barley, milk, and salt; and dyorgom, a traditional dish made from boiled lamb intestines. Her next stop is the village of Kupchegen, where locals celebrate the annual blooming of the maralnik plant. Every spring, its vivid purple flowers blanket the mountainsides as people gather for feasts and fairs, compete in archery, and demonstrate their skill at knocking down wooden blocks with a traditional whip called a kamchy. In this episode, you’ll also discover a blue geyser lake, how to reach «Mars» without ever leaving Altay, and where to try chebureki filled with maral venison.