Leopold Hoesch

No synopsis available yet.

No synopsis available yet.

Since her husband Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands in 2013, Queen Máxima has become a prominent figure of the Dutch monarchy. Her role seems perfectly suited to her: as Queen of the Netherlands and a former economist, she combines her royal duties with a strong commitment to financial inclusion and development. As a United Nations Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Máxima works to improve access to financial services, consumer protection and financial education for people around the world. Her schedule takes her from meetings with political and business leaders to official engagements and international events. The documentary follows Queen Máxima in her demanding role and offers an intimate look at her work, public responsibilities and life as a mother of three.

Over the centuries, it has been put to the test time and again: the Swedish monarchy, one of the oldest in the world and, at the same time, one of the most modern. What is the secret to the success of the Swedish royals, who enjoy such great popularity? “Moving with the times for Sweden”: King Carl Gustaf has made this the motto of his reign. As a result, gender equality has long been a part of the Swedish royal family. In 1980, the law of succession was amended to grant men and women equal inheritance rights. Marriages to commoners have also become a tradition. Sweden’s royal children are free to marry whomever they choose. The king himself set the example when he married Silvia Sommerlath from Heidelberg in 1976.

They are the most famous sisters in the Netherlands: the so-called “A-Team”—Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane, the daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. As they come of age, the younger daughters are also drawing public attention. However, only the eldest, Princess Amalia, bears any responsibility. Her path is predetermined as the future Queen of the Netherlands. Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane, however, have a choice. Will they dedicate themselves to serving the royal family, like their great-aunt Margriet, for whom this has been a life’s work for more than 60 years? Or will they follow the example of King Willem-Alexander’s brothers, who went their own way as “freelance royals”?

A review of German football player Toni Kroos's recent career, including his time at FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as well as his participation in the FIFA World Cups 2014 and 2018.

No synopsis available yet.

No synopsis available yet.

Since her husband Willem-Alexander became King of the Netherlands in 2013, Queen Máxima has become a prominent figure of the Dutch monarchy. Her role seems perfectly suited to her: as Queen of the Netherlands and a former economist, she combines her royal duties with a strong commitment to financial inclusion and development. As a United Nations Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development, Máxima works to improve access to financial services, consumer protection and financial education for people around the world. Her schedule takes her from meetings with political and business leaders to official engagements and international events. The documentary follows Queen Máxima in her demanding role and offers an intimate look at her work, public responsibilities and life as a mother of three.

Over the centuries, it has been put to the test time and again: the Swedish monarchy, one of the oldest in the world and, at the same time, one of the most modern. What is the secret to the success of the Swedish royals, who enjoy such great popularity? “Moving with the times for Sweden”: King Carl Gustaf has made this the motto of his reign. As a result, gender equality has long been a part of the Swedish royal family. In 1980, the law of succession was amended to grant men and women equal inheritance rights. Marriages to commoners have also become a tradition. Sweden’s royal children are free to marry whomever they choose. The king himself set the example when he married Silvia Sommerlath from Heidelberg in 1976.

They are the most famous sisters in the Netherlands: the so-called “A-Team”—Amalia, Alexia, and Ariane, the daughters of King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima. As they come of age, the younger daughters are also drawing public attention. However, only the eldest, Princess Amalia, bears any responsibility. Her path is predetermined as the future Queen of the Netherlands. Princess Alexia and Princess Ariane, however, have a choice. Will they dedicate themselves to serving the royal family, like their great-aunt Margriet, for whom this has been a life’s work for more than 60 years? Or will they follow the example of King Willem-Alexander’s brothers, who went their own way as “freelance royals”?

A review of German football player Toni Kroos's recent career, including his time at FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid as well as his participation in the FIFA World Cups 2014 and 2018.

The documentary Schwarze Adler (Black Eagles) lets black players of the German national football team tell their personal stories for the first time. What road did they take before they got to where we cheer for them? What hurdles did they have to overcome? What prejudices and racist hostility were they exposed to – and what was it like in the past, what is it like today?

A portrait of the actress Winona Ryder, the great muse of nineties cinema, who, although she has had an atypical and somewhat erratic career, has always offered performances as sensitive as they are honest.

No synopsis available yet.

For a long time, the Bonn Republic was a smoke-filled place with heavy leather armchairs occupied by old men. Women were largely excluded from the “men’s sport” of politics. In *THE UNYIELDING*, the leading female politicians of that era now recount how they fought for a voice and power in the face of all opposition—throughout, and indeed especially during, the major crises and debates of the Bonn Republic. “Women, if we do nothing today, we will live tomorrow as we did the day before yesterday.” Annemirl Bauer, 1988

The Spanish public knew the award-winning journalist as the anchor of their main newscast. Her meteoric rise in the media ended with her wedding, after which a completely different life began for Letizia—first as crown princess, then as queen. Yet some of her compatriots still see her as the ambitious journalist she once was. From the very beginning, Letizia has sought not only to take on patronages but also to delve deeply into issues close to her heart: health, nutrition, education, and women’s rights. In doing so, she openly takes a clear stance. This is a new development for a Spanish queen, and it doesn’t always go over well.

The ’60s—a decade that shaped our country like almost no other. The architecture of that era continues to define the character of our cities and towns to this day. Tens of thousands of people who came here back then as so-called “guest workers” to keep the economy in the Rhine and Ruhr regions running have long since made this their home. And the hits from those years are now timeless classics. Our series begins in 1960—the dawn of a new decade in which North Rhine-Westphalia knew only one direction: full steam ahead! The economic miracle made it possible. “We’re somebody again!”—that’s what we wanted to show, too. There were triumphs, but also tragedies.

Documentary tells the story of the book and shows what impact its racist and ultra-nationalist content has on us today, where arson attacks, right-wing riots and hate comments against asylum seekers are the order of the day.

Royal family expert Julia Melchior takes a multifaceted look at three memorable departures from Europe’s royal families and sheds light on the background stories, offering new insights into the royal system and the biographies of Harry, Friso, and Märtha Louise. The “Megxit” in January 2020 is still causing a stir. Prince Harry is working through his fate in a way that grabs media attention: the press, the expectations, the conventions. He felt “trapped in the system” of the royal family, from which he has now freed himself and his small family. No official role in sight, yet still in the spotlight. Hardly any duties, but many privileges. On the surface, the siblings of the heirs to the throne seem to lead easier lives, but does that also make them happier people?

No synopsis available yet.

May 8, 1945 – 11:00 p.m. – the guns fall silent on German soil. The greatest war the world has ever seen comes to an end for the Germans along the Rhine and Ruhr. The Zero Hour—Liberation Day—becomes both history and myth. During this time, people like Elisabeth Wilms, a baker’s wife from Dortmund, and Friedrich Lieffertz, a restaurateur from Cologne, become chroniclers. They capture the final days of the war with their cameras. The documentary by Franziska Rempe and Lukas Hoffmann begins with this so-called “Hour Zero.” Along the Rhine and Ruhr, life is gradually returning to the cities. And across Europe, thousands are now making their way back to their homes.

In the run-up to the 2024 European Soccer Championship in Germany, “Soccer Miracle: From Bern to Berlin” offers an extraordinary, deeply emotional look at the evolution of the DFB national team—from the postwar era to the present day.

A portrait of the Spanish-German actor Daniel Brühl, a versatile performer capable of moving easily from the gentlest to the darkest role.

The documentary “3 Days in September” focuses on the weekend of September 4–6, when Angela Merkel decided to allow refugees and asylum seekers from Hungary to enter Germany. It explores the controversial and challenging ambiguity surrounding this date and seeks to get to the bottom of it, to find out what really happened.

Portrait of an actress in constant evolution who, through risk-taking and side steps, has emancipated herself from the overly polished image forged by the Star Wars trilogy to become a talented and committed artist, a recognized ambassador for the feminist cause.

Queen Silvia is an icon; Crown Princess Victoria is a superstar. Mother and daughter bring glamour and good news. Constant public scrutiny and a life dictated by others are the price they pay. Would the Swedish monarchy even have a future without them? This film by royal expert Julia Melchior examines the role of strong women in one of Europe’s most popular royal families. Royals have no power, but they do have influence. Strictly speaking, Queen Silvia, as the wife of the reigning king, is merely the “queen consort.” There is no official job description for First Ladies; representing the monarchy is generally expected. Queen Silvia, however, has filled her role with a mission. She breaks taboos to give a voice to the most vulnerable members of society. With diplomatic skill, she defuses many a precarious situation. And with courage and poise, she also overcomes challenges within her own family.

A portrait of American actress Uma Thurman, muse of legendary filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and courageous voice for the many victims of despotic producer Harvey Weinstein.

Six million Jews died during World War II, both in the extermination camps and murdered by the mobile commandos of the Einsatzgruppen and police battalions, whose members shot men, women and children, day after day, obediently, as if it were a normal job, a fact that is hardly known today. Who were these men and how could they commit such crimes?

She has a clear agenda to which she is tirelessly committed: fighting poverty, education, health, and strengthening the rights of women and children. As a trained psychologist, she is a leading figure in the fields of mental health and child welfare. From the Royal Palace, this mother of four has taken up the fight against cyberbullying with a video message she produced herself: “Cyberbullying is despicable!” As honorary president of the “Child Focus” foundation, she advocates for missing and sexually exploited children—an issue that has deeply affected Belgian society since the horrific crimes of Marc Dutroux in the 1990s. As honorary president of UNICEF, she is committed to promoting children’s rights worldwide.

The grounding of the container ship “Ever Given” blocked the Suez Canal in 2021. Global supply chains were disrupted. Was this just a harbinger of the enormous new challenges facing the system of “globalization”? In an evolving world order shaped by the tension between democracies and autocracies, German companies are forced to continue doing business with countries like China despite geopolitical risks, because they need China as both a market for their products and a supplier of raw materials.

The Aldi Story—Karl and Theo Albrecht Theo and Karl Albrecht are the most mysterious figures in the Federal Republic of Germany. They built a global business empire, amassed a fortune worth billions, and became the richest Germans. When Theo Albrecht died in 2010 and his brother Karl in 2014, they had turned a small corner store—which they took over from their mother in 1946—into a chain with 4,300 stores in Germany. The company sets the prices for our staple foods; moreover, the brothers have influenced our food culture and shaped our mindset.

The story of the rise to stardom of Joaquin Phoenix, an actor of magnetic physique, tumultuous past, socially committed, who for years has offered outstanding performances.

“On the Wave” plunges audiences into the breathtaking and perilous world of big wave surfing through the life of Sebastian Steudtner, the German outsider who rose to become the sport’s world record holder. Born in landlocked Nuremberg, Steudtner abandoned school at sixteen to chase the ocean — a decision that led him from windsurfing in Hawaii to confronting towering walls of water few humans would dare approach. Shunned at first by the insular surf world, mocked onstage after career-defining rides, and often left without sponsors, he refused to quit. His relentless pursuit carried him from the icy shores of Ireland to the legendary swells of Nazaré, Portugal — the wave that would not only catapult him into the history books but also shift the center of big wave surfing to Europe.

As crown princes, Haakon and Frederik were born for the roles that await them, but they are shaped by the women by their sides. Mette-Marit and Mary serve as advisors, representatives, and sources of support for their husbands. The two crown prince couples see themselves as equals and view their roles as a team effort. This is how they navigate the balancing act between the crown and family, duty and self-determination, old traditions and new issues—albeit in very different ways in both kingdoms. Who are the two crown princes who will ascend the throne in Norway and Denmark in the foreseeable future? In “My Husband, the Crown Prince,” ZDF royal expert Julia Melchior offers a personal look at the two heirs to the throne and the role their wives play in their lives.

As recently as the 1990s, many viewed her as a threat to the monarchy. Today, Camilla is one of the main pillars of support for the king and the royal family. As First Lady, she has no constitutional role, but she plays a fundamental one. The documentary tells the story of a strong woman and a great love.

In Germany, the forest is more than the sum of its trees: it is a myth, the backdrop to a grand German drama. When one looks at German cultural history, it is easy to recognize the forest as a recurring theme—and as a topos to which people repeatedly returned in their search for a national identity. German culture, it is said, has its roots in the forest, at least since Germanic warriors defeated the Romans in the Battle of Varus. During the Romantic era, the forest became a place of longing; it was painted, written about in poetry, and celebrated in song—and at the same time, it once again became a symbol of national sovereignty. The Nazis exploited it for their racist ideology—and the “homeland films” of postwar German cinema used it to portray their idealized vision of an unspoiled world. The environmental movement of the 1980s feared for its national sanctuary during the debate on forest dieback—and activists lived in the highest treetops to protect trees from being cut down.

No synopsis available yet.

It’s a tradition. On the last day of the Frankfurt Book Fair—the world’s largest book fair—the Peace Prize of the German Book Trade is awarded. This anniversary year’s Peace Prize laureate is Salman Rushdie, an author who, like few others, embodies both the power of literature and the fury of its critics. Books stand for freedom of speech—a freedom that is repeatedly threatened around the world. This documentary embarks on a wild journey through time. It explores the new beginning after World War II, literature as a catalyst for democracy, and the interplay of intellect and commerce, as well as successes and scandals. It explores the remarkable role of émigrés after 1945, the protests of the 1960s, bestseller marketing and colonial misdeeds, calls for murder and boycotts, East and West, host countries that inspire and others that terrify.

Can the National Football League’s appeal win over the hearts of fans in Germany and around the world for the long term? In “THE GAME – The NFL Takes Over Germany,” RTL explores this question in a high-quality, premium documentary and tells the extraordinary success story of the world’s largest sports league. Starting with the NFL Berlin Game in November 2025, the documentary traces the NFL’s rise from its historic beginnings to its status as a modern mega-event—featuring exclusive insights and interviews with, among others, NFL commissioners Roger Goodell and Gerrit Meier, as well as current and former German-speaking NFL pros such as Bernhard Raimann, Markus Kuhn, and Björn Werner.

The docudrama addresses the global threat posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The film takes a scientifically grounded approach to exploring what lies ahead if antibiotics lose their effectiveness, and how and why resistance continues to spread. It places a particular focus on Germany—specifically the German healthcare system, German agriculture, and the German pharmaceutical industry.

United States, September 1st, 2016. American football player Colin Kaepernick kneels during the national anthem, protesting police brutality against black people. Part of the population regards the gesture as an unacceptable affront to the flag. Later, he loses his place on his team. Today, however, he is considered by many as a true hero.

"König Charles III - Tag der Krönung" is a TV Special on WeLT Television (formerly known as N24).

Royals in the 21st century? A job for power couples! While it’s hard to imagine the British royal family without the Queen, her successors have long since taken the reins. In Spain, Felipe and Letizia are already shouldering the responsibility. In the United Kingdom and Sweden, two more power couples—William and Kate, as well as Victoria and Daniel—are waiting in the wings.

The majority of Germans think UFOs are just something for crackpots. Researchers see it differently. This includes Hakan Kayal, a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Würzburg. He advocates approaching the topic with an open mind and is investigating so-called UAPs (Unidentified Aerial Phenomena) using artificial intelligence. This is because there are flying objects with remarkable characteristics that have been spotted by radar systems, cameras, and highly trained pilots—and for which even the U.S. military has no explanation.

For many decades, it was Germany’s largest event venue and North Rhine-Westphalia’s “XXL living room”: the Westfalenhalle in Dortmund. Opened in 1952—long before the boom in multipurpose venues of the ’90s and 2000s—the Westfalenhalle remains Germany’s third-largest venue in terms of audience size. A century-old building designated as a historic landmark that is deeply rooted in the history of North Rhine-Westphalia—and a show business legend right in the heart of the Ruhr region.

Daily cooperation between the generations is a challenge. As we learn from the royal family, this is no different in the royal household than it is in a family business. Carl Gustaf is (after fifty years on the throne) an experienced monarch, and Victoria is a strong-willed woman. She proved this when it came to the most important decision of her life: her husband, Daniel.

The House of Lippe: The family’s ancestors fought alongside Henry the Lion and negotiated with Napoleon. An entire region in the far northeast of North Rhine-Westphalia was named after them, and the coat of arms of this noble dynasty—the Lippe Rose—now adorns the state flag of North Rhine-Westphalia. The family looks back on a proud and eventful history.