Backlight
2024
Tegenlicht in Dutch or Backlight in English is a series of television documentaries by the VPRO, a Dutch public broadcasting organisation. Backlight "aims to grasp the quintessence of prominent trends and developments" in the practice of critical journalism, and tries to improve understanding of the intricate inner workings of our modern society.
Where to Watch 2024
7 Episodes
- Dwarse scheepsbouwers
E1Episode 1Dwarse scheepsbouwersAfter decades of globalization, many industries have disappeared from Europe, but shipbuilder Royal Bodewes on the Winschoterdiep has been keeping its head above water for more than 200 years. It is even building a ship for an Asian customer. Made for Taiwan, instead of in Taiwan. Have the roles been reversed? Employees from all over the world work in shifts to build five ships at the same time. The company does everything slightly differently and is averse to fuss. A new generation is ready to take over the family business: sisters Nienke and Carlijn Bodewes are determined not to be the last generation to keep the company afloat. - Uit de kleren
E2Episode 2Uit de klerenThere is now so much clothing in the world that the next six generations can be clothed with it. Four pioneers want to improve the unruly clothing industry. Annemieke Koster produces new textiles from local, recycled fibers and discarded textiles. Caterina Occhio tries to make luxury brands such as Chloe, Armani and Aspesi more sustainable and more social. Lara Wolters has been advocating in the European Parliament for more transparent production chains for almost five years. Ex-fast fashion influencer Sara Dubbeldam sued Primark for misleading advertising. - Naomi Klein and the pull to the right
E3Episode 3Naomi Klein and the pull to the rightWhat should progressive Europe do with the big move to the right? How is it possible that the words used by the international right-wing nationalist movement are so similar to those of progressives? Publicist and political activist Naomi Klein delved into the world of conspiracy theorists and the extreme right following a case of mistaken identity. She wrote the 'self-examination' book Doppelganger, a journey to the mirror world about it. She explores that mirror world and our political future. - Nederland bij de les
E4Episode 4Nederland bij de lesWhat is going on with our education? The need for tutoring and homework help is greater than ever. Does this create a new gap and greater inequality of opportunity in society? Parents, education experts and activists are looking for a better future for our education. Louisa Boulkhrif and dozens of volunteers run a large tutoring school in Rotterdam for children whose parents have little money. Education activist Sezgin Cihangir is director of the Netherlands Mathematical Institute, which offers its own method for, among other things, arithmetic and language. He advocates making almost all forms of tutoring redundant. - Bouwen met de boer
E5Episode 5Bouwen met de boerPioneers work with natural, local materials as arable farmers or in construction. Luc and Wout de Wit grow hemp in Utrecht, among other things, with which they will build biobased tiny houses. The Drenthe farmer Koos Vos has become a grower of elephant and mammoth grass. Landscape architect Julia Watson shows the Fab Tree Hab, a building partly built by willows, in the woods north of New York. A new perspective for farmers and builders, which also provides nature restoration and a healthier living environment. Is it too good to be true? Not if it is up to these pioneers. - De moeder van alle mythen
E6Episode 6De moeder van alle mythenIn Dutch society, mothers bear a disproportionate share of the financial, emotional and practical costs of raising the next generation. How did that come about, and is that actually what makes mothers, children and society happy? A plea for the village from the statement: It takes a village to raise a child. With: writer Aminatta Forna, anthropologist and primatologist Sarah Blaffer Hrdy, science journalist Lucy Jones and historian Noëmi Willemen. - Greed is green
E7Episode 7Greed is greenWhat happens when climate and nature become investment objects? Billions are made by depleting nature, but making money from protecting nature is still difficult. Yet that seems to be changing. In the world of Green Capital, the environment is no longer just a matter of ethics, but also of returns. With carbon farmer Sjoerd Miedema, emissions trader Wouter Alblas, former Wall Street whiz kid Zack Knight and European Central Bank board member Frank Elderson.