Sunset with Camels

China Series 30May08

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)

2 feature length documentaries
Red Guards: Cultural Revolution Part II
The Journey down the Yangtze

4 films in collaboration with Chinese directors.
On the Coal Face
The Running Preacher
The Class of 2008
Da Zhai: Living Propaganda

Journey down the Yangtze 30May08

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)

The New Red Guards: Cultural Revolution Part II 30May08

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)

On The Coal Face 30May08

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)

The Running Preacher (Religion on the Run) 30May08

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)

The Class of 2008 30May08

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)

Da Zhai: Living Propaganda 30May08

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)

Living with the Mek Responses 21May08

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!

Living with the Mek (World’s Lost Tribes) 5Feb08

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 -

Interview with Mark
Interview with Me

If you really want to know what was going through my head, at the begining - here is the first entry from my journals: read here

The Last of the Reindeer Herders 1Feb08

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