The Pope and Hitler - Opening the Secret Files on Pius XII

Under French colonial rule, Vietnam was not an independent state, but part of "Indochina" – France's distant paradise and a profitable colony. In 1945, amid the chaos of World War II, communist leader Ho Chi Minh proclaimed revolution and demanded Vietnam's independence. France responded with armed force. A conflict erupted that inspired people around the world to fight for their freedom, while simultaneously deeply dividing Vietnamese society. From the period under French colonial rule to the present day, the four-part documentary series uses multiple perspectives and emotionally recounts the journey of a nation that experienced utopias, conflicts, and the horrors of the late 20th century. The recollections of contemporary witnesses and unique access to Vietnamese archives provide a new perspective on the history of a country and a war that changed the world.

The People’s Republic of China now plays a central role in global politics, economics and diplomacy – more than it ever has before. Its president, Xi Jinping openly espouses the model forged by former Chairman, Mao Zedong, known as the Great Helmsman. But what do we really know about Mao? And how does his legacy relate to Xi’s ‘China Dream’? This 3-part documentary series explores Mao Zedong, his beliefs and his methods. It shows how these have shaped Xi’s philosophy and the reality of today’s China. Mao had set China on the road to true sovereignty, freeing it from the humiliation of foreign domination. Xi is now completing that journey towards the strong Middle Kingdom and cultural predominance that Mao aimed for – while sweeping under the carpet the unthinkable victims and costs of Mao’s rule. The story arc of Mao’s astonishing biography provides varied and profound insights into the ideals, strategies and ambitions of today’s People’s Republic and its position in the next decade.

At the end of WW2, Nato created a secret organization for which it recruited and trained civilians all over Europe. Their mission: to halt an eventual communist invasion of Western Europe. The operation was known as Gladio or Stay Behind. Bound by an oath of silence, they operated in the shadows. Exposed in the 90's, the survivor operatives kept their oath. Until now. In this documentary, featuring unprecedented access to the files of the Italian secret service on Gladio and all the documentation on Stay Behind available in Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg, the members of the organization speak for the first time and reveal what they did during their years of service.