A series of films I’ve just made in collaboration with Chinese documentary directors premiered on Al Jazeera English People & Power and now available for distribution - please get in touch if of interest (full details)
Putting the Tibetan Uprising in context we take the pulse of the nation from China’s main artery to witness how the nation is fragmenting, and why rebellions, backed by an emerging civil society, are breaking out in both the cities and the countryside. Part 1 of 4 below: (More details)
Punks to Pop Idols, authors to artists, comedians to gay icons – this is the new Cultural Revolution that’s ripping into the fabric of Chinese identity. Part 1 below: (More details and Part 2)
Authored by a former Policeman from China’s coal country, this film offers a rare and harrowing insight into the lives of miners working the most dangerous mines in the world. (More details)
Religious expression is explored through the life of an evangelical Christian preacher on the run from the authorities as he continues to practice his faith, preach against the Party and convert non-believers. (more details)
24 hours in the lives of 3 of the 6million students graduating this year – 3 students, from 3 different social classes, with 3 very different aspirations for their own and their country’s future. (More details)
Run by the Iron Lady, Da Zhai was once Mao’s favourite village, and is now rated as the No.2 village in China - this is what the Communist Party want you to see – a piece of living, working propaganda. (More details)
Sorry I’ve been offline for so long… been making an investigative series in China, then in Southern Africa and now in South East Asia. Never seem to stop. Ug! I cant quite believe how many people have written to Mark and I about the Mek series! I am completely bowled over and certainly not use to such public scrutiny… But thank you all for finding the time and having the inclination to write. It really means a great deal to Mark and I and is a wonderful thing to kno that others can share in our ridiculous experience…. I will try and write back to everyone of you – but sorry if it takes a while! So many people have asked such interesting questions that I will try and put together a Q and A on the most common ones…
The good news is that we are planning another journey – but I cant tell you anything more at the moment …. Sorry!
Having survived living with the Kombai Tribe, Mark Anstice (aka. The Captain) and I returned to West Papua to live with a different tribe – the Mek – huge step up from the first series – not to spoil it – but watch out for the old woman when we arrive in a village called Merengmen…
US Premiere: Living with the Mek – the Adventures of Mark & Olly Travel Channel: Sunday 10th Feb, 10pm UK Premiere: World’s Lost Tribes: Discovery Channel: Tuesday 12th Feb, 9pm -
The Sami, Europe’s last indigenous people, have herded their reindeer across Lapland, for thousands of years. Here’s the link to the first of reports from Sweden, where the Sami have recently lost a number of legal battles over their right to herd reindeer on some of their traditional winter grazing lands. Read on
Oliver is a journalist, presenter and adventurer. In the 2006 publication, Faces of Exploration, Oliver is the youngest featured alongside such luminaries as Buzz Aldrin, Ran Fiennes, Jane Goodall and Edmund Hillary. He's described as "a representative of the new generation: modern, media savvy, high-tech, digital adventurer."