Asia & The Pacific

Over the past decade, India has emerged as the leader in the global market for outsourced white-collar jobs-one reason for the nation's rapid economic growth. This Wide Angle case study explores the experiences of emerging Indian professionals who have been recruited into positions requiring long hours, late-night shifts, and Westernized work habits. The program reveals the human and cultural impact of a controversial yet essentially unstoppable global economic trend-examining its effect on Indian family life, on the evolving landscape of urban India, and on the aspirations and daily lives of young Indian citizens, especially women, as they enter the work force. In addition, anchor Daljit Dhaliwal discusses social, political, and economic development in India with Michael Elliott, editor of Time International. (56 minutes)

In 2003, as the United States confronted North Korea over its resumption of nuclear weapons production, North Koreans prepared to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their supposed victory" over the South in the Korean War. This Wide Angle documentary tells the story of two teenage girls preparing to participate in the Mass Games, one of the last surviving Communist showcase pageants and a celebration of North Korea's statehood and revolutionary zeal. Capturing a mixture of excitement and contradiction at the heart of the state-produced spectacle, this program yields valuable insights into family life and daily activity in the little-known world of the "hermit kingdom." In addition, Professor Charles Armstrong discusses North Korea with anchor Jamie Rubin. (57 minutes)"

Asia is a vast continent joining many unique peoples and cultures. This visually stunning series follows the Transasian Highway through seven countries, revealing the tensions between religious and other cultural traditions, political change, and dynamic development that are an integral part of everyday life there. 7-part series, 47-51 minutes each.

Every area of human enterprise has its experts. This penetrating six-part series offers viewers fascinating-and unusual-points of entry into the cultures of China, Japan, and India that allow them to encounter authentic Asian masters performing their arts. 6-part series, 13-19 minutes each.

This program savors the peaceful splendor of autumn in Kyoto. First, visits to Kozan-ji Temple, an example of early Kamakura architecture and repository of a painting by Toba Sojo; Sanzen-in Temple, immortalized by 18th-century poet Ueda Akinari; and many other temples offer views of the region's beautiful red-colored maples. Then, the video covers the autumn festival in Arashiyama, the Jidai Matsuri procession, the fire festival of Kurama, and the Kanikakuni festival, in honor of revered writer Isamu Yoshii. And last, a variety of persimmon-based delicacies are described, along with an introduction to Cha Kaiseki cuisine at the famous Shimogamo Saryo restaurant. (47 minutes)

For women living in Afghanistan under repressive Taliban rule, beatings, rape, and enslavement were commonplace occurrences. This gripping program, filmed during the Taliban's regime, describes the massive human rights abuses that escalated after the withdrawal of Soviet forces, as seen through the eyes of women who survived years of rampant gender and religious intolerance. Resistance activities carried out by women's groups inside the country are also documented, as they fought for freedom and democracy. Some content may be objectionable. (26 minutes)

This program enters the world of Beijing opera through the traditional art of mask-making-and through the eyes of 76-year-old Xiang Qi Shang, a celebrated mask maker who has devoted his life to preserving a custom that may yet be lost in China's rush to modernization. Master Xiang demonstrates his remarkable brushwork as he comments on a range of topics, including the use of facial expression to illuminate a character's personality and the application of symbolic colors to aid in audience recognition. Facial painting in Beijing opera is also discussed. (17 minutes)

With its dramatic rise in economic and geopolitical importance, China has become a land of opportunity for foreigners from the West-although in certain cases, foreigner" is a problematic term. This program presents compelling firsthand accounts of six "ABCs" (American-born Chinese) who have moved to Beijing in search of career progress and a better grasp of their identities. Candidly sharing personal reactions to the nation's rapidly evolving political climate, social divisions, and business culture, each participant must come to terms with the reality of modern China-and its departure from the sentimental notions he or she acquired in childhood. (58 minutes)"

In parts of Nepal, there is little paying work available to untouchables. Forced to borrow small sums just to survive, they quickly become debt slaves to higher-caste people-and although the practice is illegal, it all too often represents the only chance Dalits have to obtain food. This program contrasts the lives of Bharat, who seeks emancipation through the assistance of a debt slave-turned-activist, and Ganga, who can picture no other future for himself. The cameras also capture the everyday discrimination against untouchables; the matter-of-fact nature of it as depicted in this documentary is certain to make a powerful impression on viewers. (30 minutes)

For many governments in the new political landscape of Central Asia, supporting America's war on terror translates into a dangerous internal juggling act. This Wide Angle documentary examines the uneasy relationship between forces aligned against the Taliban and the drug lords who control the cultivation of much of the world's heroin. With militias and tribal factions diluting centralized power, the current opium crop in Afghanistan is among the largest ever. How will the international community deal with this fact of central Asian life? Can agricultural reforms be implemented that will equal the profitability of the opium trade? And how will the United States resolve a dilemma that pits the war on terror against the war on drugs? In addition, UNDP Administrator Mark Malloch Brown talks with anchor Daljit Dhaliwal. (57 minutes)

Born in Osaka some 300 years ago, Japanese puppet theater-Bunraku-is a stunning yet refined spectacle. This program presents the story of Bunraku through two of its greatest masters, puppeteer Tamao Yoshida and chanter Sumitayu Takemoto. Brought together for the last performance of the 20th century, these two Living National Treasures" transform ancient tales of old Japan into vibrant human drama. Cameras go backstage to capture the immense preparations and grueling, rarely seen rehearsals for their exquisite rendition of the masterpiece Shinju Ten no Amijima. (53 minutes, color)"

Renamed Myanmar by its ruling junta, Burma is one of the world's poorest nations due to decades of iron-fisted military control and despite its valuable natural resources and priceless national treasures. This program presents an intriguing glimpse of Burmese life, ranging from washing the sacred Buddha at the Maha Muni Pagoda and the initiation of young Buddhist novices amid the ruins of Bagan to farming the amazing floating gardens of Lake Inle. Issues including Burma's 40-year civil war, the vital role of the railway and the cinema, and rampant smuggling are addressed as well. (49 minutes)

While many of the ancient Asian capitals have faded into the pages of history books, a rare few have continued to grow and flourish. This beautiful series produced by NHK takes viewers to six such capitals-Beijing, Kyoto, Varanasi, Jogjakarta, Isfahan, and Kathmandu-to discover key aspects of the cultural, religious, economic, and political life of the cities and their people. Combining computer graphics, personal stories, and scholarly research, each program serves as a unique window on the continuities and changes in an Asian society. 6-part series, 53 minutes each.

There are fortunes to be made in China today-but fortune-seekers from overseas face immense challenges. This program offers three engaging business case studies, each following a Western entrepreneur who grapples with Chinese business practices and culture. Tony Caldera's cushion business has been ruined by Chinese imports, but he hopes for a turnaround by building a factory here. Peter Williams is about to embark on the toughest challenge of his life: selling an energy-saving device to the Chinese. Finally, there's Vance Miller, who gained notoriety for selling cheap Chinese kitchens in Britain. Now he's in China, determined to overcome setbacks. All three studies are ideal for sparking discussion and analysis in international business courses. (51 minutes)

This Wide Angle report follows five Chinese students through their arduous final year at an elite public high school as they strive to become a part of the approximately three percent that will earn a coveted spot in one of Beijing's top two universities. Studying seven days a week, their futures depend on a strong performance on the national college entrance exam. The winners will be tomorrow's lawyers, corporate executives, and civil servants, who hope to make China's economy the largest in the world. In addition, Aaron Brown interviews Harvard University's Vanessa Fong, author of Only Hope: Coming of Age Under China's One-Child Policy. Original broadcast title: China Prep. (57 minutes)