Documentaries that start with a question, from Thailand

Siamese Fighting Fish takes viewers into the mysterious and astonishing world of Thailand's national aquatic treasure. From ordinary freshwater fish in rural rice paddies, these vivid creatures carry many stories of history, culture and science. People have transformed them into living jewels, an inspiration for both the artistry of breeding and the spirit of the nation.

Before the forest wakes, a call cuts through the mist. Villagers know at once that it is a peafowl. Many people picture the bright blue peafowl from far away, the symbol of India seen in palaces, processions and zoos. This voice belongs to the green peafowl, the graceful bird of Thailand, a living jewel still hidden from most of the world. In the forests of Southeast Asia lives a relative just as beautiful and often misunderstood. Tonight the forest is preparing to tell a story the world has almost never heard.

This documentary asks why monitor lizards still live in city parks even as the city expands. It looks at the effect of urban development on their habitat, the food that people provide, and the park ecosystem, along with the adaptation and the consequences of this shared life.

Explore the Galapagos Islands, the “natural laboratory” of evolution. Starting from Quito, Ecuador, we visit volcanic islands of black lava fields and hardy vegetation and meet unique wildlife such as giant tortoises, marine iguanas, lava lizards and many kinds of birds, including finches and blue-footed boobies. Through their stories we see evolution at work and the importance of conservation. The Galapagos reveal the adaptability of nature and the enduring story of life on Earth.