Barcelona

Barcelona mixes styles like no other metropolis. A city both gothic and modern, it is a showcase of architectural treasures and a plethora of plastic arts. Its uniqueness lies as much in its geography as in its history. Wherever you look, the city's independence from the rest of the peninsula and the world is manifest in the shapes, objects, and styles that Barcelonans seem to cultivate. From the roof of the Pedrera, an apartment block designed by Antoni Gaudi, the view of its architecture seems to defy order and logic. The city is a kind of living painting, and the Mediterranean atmosphere is apparently the only influence it will tolerate from the outside world. The city's history is embodied in its neighborhoods. From the Barrio Gotico to the village of Montjuic, built to host Barcelona's 1929 World Exhibition, and from the Eixample to the new Olympic Port, each district bears witness to a key period in the city's history. Cut off from the rest of Spain during the civil war and oppressed by Franco's yoke, Barcelona now claims for Catalonia and itself an identity defined by a language, a culture, and - perhaps most importantly - an economy that set it apart from the rest of the country. Barcelona is a festival unto itself, and diversity is its only watchword. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Program: Spain 1: Barcelona and Santiago

Berlin

"Recommended. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, Berlin captured the world's interest. A massive rebuilding effort is under way, simultaneously introducing innovative architecture into the city's landscape and restoring historic landmarks. This program presents viewers with a chance to discover a day in the life of Berlin, as well as what makes this city great. Extensive interviews with a official who designed the prototype for the Berlin Wall's placement and an industrious snack bar entrepreneur, who has developed a reputation for her version of curried sausage, a traditional Berlin favorite, provide opportunities to learn more about how the city's Communist past impacted local customs and ways of life." -EMRO Review Berlin is Germany's third most-visited city, after Munich and Frankfort, and certainly its most famous, having captured the world's interest with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. With 23 distinct districts Berlin is too large to be explored solely by foot; so this outstanding documentary is the perfect "insider's guide" to this extensive, cosmopolitan city. Here we find historic sights, such as the Federal Chancellery, the Reichstag Parliament Building, and the city's trademark, the Brandenburg Gate, have been maintained; also other treasures include German-style dining at Konnopke's and Kneipens, the Berlin Philharmonic, Ka De We's department store, and Tiergarten Park, where we are reminded that Berlin is also called "Little Istanbul," due to its large Turkish community. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min.

London

London is Europe's largest city, filled with world-famous landmarks and a thousand-year-old history. This program goes beyond the much-recognized sites of Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the River Thames, Big Ben, Baker Street, Piccadilly Circus, and the Tower of London, and offers viewers the chance to discover the city's hidden charms. London we see is maze of a city with no right angles, no plan, and no center; built into the countryside and home to numerous green spaces like St. James Park, Green Park, and Hyde Park. It is a patchwork of neighborhoods, such as "happening" Hoxton, Soho, and the formerly industrial East End, now the headquarters of insular Bohemia. Also we learn that London has a split personality. By day it clings to its deep-rooted traditions; by night it is the undisputed trend capital of Europe, where every night 60,000 tickets are sold for concerts, plays, and other cultural attractions, and every weekend more than 500,000 young people head out to clubs in wildly eccentric get-ups. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Programs: England 1: Journey Through the Heart of England and England 2: The River Thames and England 4: London - Up Close and Personal

Montreal

"Recommended. Montreal is the second largest French-speaking city outside of France and it's easy to see the French influence throughout the program. The filmmakers visit local markets, restaurants, Mont Royal Park, historical neighborhoods, and even do some kayaking on a river just outside of the city. Many of the locals are interviewed and all interviews are translated into English and read by a narrator. Viewers will learn that Montreal is a very cosmopolitan city that is a blend of many different cultures and the people who live there are very proud of their heritage and their city. The video quality is excellent and the material is well presented. The program is recommended to anyone who may be interested in learning more about Montreal; also I think it would be very helpful to French students learning about French-Canadian culture." -EMRO Review Montreal is Canada's second largest city and is called the "Paris of Canada," having the second largest French-speaking population outside of France. Many of its neighborhoods and places carry Parisian names, such as the Latin Quarter, Saint-Denis Street, Berri Street, the Saint-Sulpice seminary, Notre-Dame Island, and the Café de Paris; also, like Manhatten, it is an island, and its Mont Royal Park was built by architect Frederick Law Olmstead, who built NYC's Central Park. Montreal we see combines each of these identities to have its own distinct charm. Its Old Town offers Victorian houses, Gothic churches, and cobble-stoned squares that recall its colonial past, and in Maisonneuve Park the panoramic view from the top of the famous tilted tower of the Olympic complex enables us to embrace this city that is home to more than 100 ethnic groups. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Program: Canada - 3: Montreal and Quebec (2nd Ed.) and Canada 14: Montreal - Jazz Capital of Canada

New York

"Recommended. Starting with street scenes at 7:00 a.m. and finishing the next day at 4:00 a.m., the director has captured the vibrancy of this great city. We see a wide range of human expression, as well as great aerial shots of the city. We go from boxer training, to Wall Street, to the subway, to the Guggenheim Museum, Katz's Deli, Central Park, the classic Hotel Chelsea, the Soho district for a dance rehearsal, to Harlem with its rich African American culture; then to Times Square, Chinatown, and the Fulton Fish Market. The contrasting images of wealthy and poor neighborhoods and the people who live and work here give the viewer a sense of the rich diversity of this wonderful city. The sound and video quality are excellent offering viewers a rich kaleidoscope of colorful images." -EMRO Review People may think they know New York, but the "city that never sleeps" is constantly reinventing itself. Amid the unrelenting noise and flashing lights, there is always something new and extraordinary to discover. Around every corner is a slice of street theater in which chaos and eccentricity take center stage by turn. For many years, the city had a reputation for crime, corruption, and pollution; however, those days are gone and New York has a new look. There are a few classic images frozen in time, such as Central Park and its joggers, but the town of Manhattan evolves with every season and with every passing fad. Some establishments have come to symbolize the New York way of life, such as the Royalton on West 44th Street, hangout of editors and designers, and the Café Gitane, one of the most happening haunts in the city. For Upper East Side society, lounges are now all the rage: for music, reading, or poetry. Most representative of this trend is Woody Allen, who gives private concerts at the Carlyle on Monday nights. For the past few years the entire city has been undergoing a radical transformation. Every district is experiencing its own revolution. Often outrageously arrogant and over the top, the city can be unassuming as well. Such out-of-the-way spots are less well known but equally authentic. New York is a variety of styles, demeanors, and fashions that touch the heart of every visitor. Love it or hate it, this exciting metropolis leaves no one indifferent. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Program: The Statue of Liberty: Building a Colossus

Paris

From the first metro to the first batch of baguettes, Paris regulates its daily life to the rhythm of its clocks. Fashionable Paris, popular Paris, the Paris of monuments and grand avenues, the Paris of boroughs and narrow streets, celebrated Paris, secret Paris, trendy Paris, the Paris of the Parisians. This exciting documentary spotlights all of the many facets of this great city, from various points of view, showing viewers the daily life of Parisians, hour by hour - from sun-up to sun-down and all through the night. From the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triumph, and Montmartre, it takes them on a private, behind-the-scenes' tour of all that makes Paris, Paris. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Program: France: Beneath Paris

Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is a city of contrasts: sea and mountains, wealth and poverty, city and nature; and yet day and night here are never far apart. Rio is a natural wonder, home to the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, as well as Tijuca Forest, Lagoa Park, the Botanical Gardens, and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Rio is a megalopolis, home to more than 6 million people, and its resources are many, which include coffee, soccer, capoeira, the samba and, of course, carnival. Rio is sunny, colorful and wild; there is always something happening, 24 hours a day; one often comes across soccer teams playing on the beach at 2 a.m. or street musicians plying their trade at 5 a.m.! Built during the 16th century, Rio has survived many upheavals, including slavery; and yet despite harsh circumstances, in which one third of the population lives in slums or "favelas," Rio remains a warm and welcoming city. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min.

Rome

"Recommended. This documentary offers a cornucopia of beautiful images to delight the eye. From early morning at the famed Trevi Fountain to the end of the day at Ostia Beach, it captures the pulsing rhythm of this ancient city and its surroundings. From Michelangelo's Piazza del Campidoglio and its Musei Capitolini to the Pope's weekly blessing of the people, the program moves at a fast pace. The diverse imagery moves quickly from city horse stables, to art restorations, to restaurants, to designer shops, but one easily becomes entranced with the splendor and beauty of Rome. With its ancient architecture and cultural heritage, Rome has rightfully earned the title of the eternal city. The director deserves praise for capturing superb glimpses of the rich beauty of the city and its people. The sound and images are excellent, and it is an excellent way to start to experience the city prior to a visit." -EMRO Review Rome has defined occidental history, be it artistic, religious or cultural, for over 2,500 years. It is one of the world's great treasures with sites such as Bernini's Piazza San Pietro and its basilica, Vatican City, the Piazza del Campidoglio, designed by Michelangelo, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, and the Roman Forum. It is a romantic city, but it is also frantic. Every morning, 600 000 scooters invade the city, making driving a delicate art. In the picturesque Trastevere area, where it is said the "real" Romans live, we find authentic trattorias, serving traditional Roman fare. Here we meet the great Italian architect Massimiliano Fuksas, who is restoring the Mussolinian EUR area; also the great composer for film, Nicola Piovani, who composed for Fellini, and won an Oscar with Roberto Benigni's Life Is Beautiful; each share their own unique perspective of Rome. Lastly, we learn of the mythical Cinecittà studios, located just outside of Rome, as well as the Paparazzi at the beautiful Piazza Navona. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Program: Italy 1: Florence, Milan and Rome

San Francisco

Associated Article: San Francisco: Cafe Society -Smithsonian Magazine Over 16 million tourists a year come to San Francisco to gaze at the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, and Victorian houses; also to ride on cable cars, to have crab on sourdough bread, to enjoy Golden Gate Park, the world's largest city park, and to roam San Fran's famous neighborhoods, such as Chinatown, Haight-Ashbury, Castro, and North Beach. The birthplace of the American Gold Rush, San Francisco has always stood for tolerance and open minds; its population is multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, colorful and diverse. It also stands for new social and cultural movements, for it was here that Levi jeans were created, Beat Generation poets (Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti) met; the hippie movement was born; gay and lesbian communities were freely accepted and grew, and innumerable technologies businesses have been started. To put it simply, it is a city where all are free to be whoever they are and free to make their dreams come true. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Programs: USA: San Francisco - City by the Bay and Mal Sharpe's San Francisco 1 & 2

St. Petersburg

Associated Article: Russia's Treasure-House -Smithsonian Magazine St. Petersburg served as the capital of Russia from 1712 to 1917, was designed by Peter the Great, and was built by the greatest European architects. Located on the delta of the Neva River, it is nicknamed the "Venice of the North," having many canals and 42 islands. It is an opulent city with sumptuous palaces like the Hermitage, one of the world's largest museums; and also it is a poor city with many dilapidated neighborhoods. It is a romantic city, acting as a muse for many Russian writers and poets, such as Tolstoy, Pushkin, Gogol and Dostoevsky; also it's a music-lover's city, being either the birthplace or adoptive home of some of the greatest Russian composers, like Tchaikovsky, Prokofiev and Mussorgski. Overall, we discover St. Petersburg to be a remarkable city full of traditions and beliefs unchanged by either time or events. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Programs: Italy: Domenico Trezzini (Builder of St. Petersburg) and Russia 2: St. Petersburg

Sydney

"Recommended. This is a wonderful visual feast of images of the harbor city of Sydney with its 152-mile shoreline. Viewers are presented with many little slices of life that give this city its beauty. From scenes of surfers, ferry boat commuters, and monorail riders you move peripatetically around the city touring different neighborhoods, people, and architecture including a glimpse of the famous Sydney Opera House. Hang onto your chair; the windy climb to the top of the Sydney Harbor Bridge, the world's largest steel arch bridge, is captured in this program. The sound quality and visual imagery are excellent. The director portrays the city, including Chinatown and Aboriginal neighborhoods, capturing the beauty and diversity of this great city, and is an excellent overview." -EMRO Review Sydney, the capital of New South Wales, is a fascinating, cosmopolitan city filled with life and excitement. Nestled between the beaches and waters of Port Jackson and Botany Bay, between the Pacific Ocean and the wooded slopes of the Blue Mountains, Sydney is surrounded by water, with beaches dominating the hearts and minds of all its citizens. Home to one of the most beautiful harbors in the world, its most famous landmarks are the architecturally stunning Sydney Opera House and the Iron Bridge, which spans the estuary of the Parramatta River. Here we discover its extraordinary symbiosis with the sea: the beaches and the port, where sailboards, container ships, yachts, and ferries cross paths every day, are key threads in Sydney's cultural fabric. Most important of all, the people of Sydney share an attitude about living life to its fullest, making it a popular place to live and to visit. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Programs: Australia 1: Canberra and Intro to Sydney and Australia 3: Sydney and Cairns

Vancouver

Vancouver, B.C., is one those beautiful, "full of energy" cities that captures a person's heart and imagination immediately. Canada's third largest city, it sits on a peninsular bordered by English Bay and the Pacific Ocean to the west, and it is hemmed in by a spectacular mountain range. Water is the defining element here, whether in the daily rituals of the Seabus taking commuters downtown, water sport teams training at False Creek, people relaxing in the surrounding marinas and bays, fishermen selling their catches downtown, people living on houseboats, or the port itself, where more than 300 cruisers, 70 million tons of cargo and a number of seaplanes and helicopters transit annually. With a little more than a century of history, Vancouver is a young and cosmopolitan city. Its 2 million inhabitants neatly reflect its mixed heritage. Wandering through the city streets, one discovers all sorts of different ethnic origins in the passing faces, totem poles scattered throughout the city, "veddy British" lawn bowling at Stanley Park, and North America's second largest Chinatown. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 52 min. Associated Program: Canada - 2: Vancouver, Calgary and Banff

Warsaw

Warsaw, or Warsawa in Polish, is a large, bustling city that plays a major role in political, scientific and university circles throughout Poland. Virtually destroyed during World War II, Warsaw rose from the ashes to become an example of a solid, post-war urban renewal dream. Here we see the Old City, which has been entirely rebuilt, the Palace of Culture, which is Warsaw's tallest skyscraper, and the Fotoplastikon, a 3D slideshow that reveals 19th century Warsaw. Away from the busy city we explore a sea of flowers and fountains at the Wilanow Palace. Warsaw's outdoor market, along the Vistula River, is the largest of its kind in Eastern Europe and features the hectic blend of shoppers, tramways and cars. Polish restaurants are famous for their pierogis, cholodnik, jourek, stuffed cabbage and borscht; also Polish soups are available in the city's famous "milk bars." Warsaw is dotted with many churches, including St. John Cathedral, and the Nozyk Synagogue, in a neighborhood once known as the Warsaw Ghetto. Lastly, from the Andrzej Wajda cinematic school to the lush gardens of Lazienki Palace, where one may hear a Chopin recital, we see the arts are alive in this thriving city that continues to look confidently towards the future. 07DR Level 1 - JSCA 30 min. Level 2 - CA 2 Parts on 1/52 min.

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