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The incredible human journey: asia.

Directed by Charles Colville

In this programme, the journey continues into Asia, the world's greatest land mass, in a quest to discover how early hunter-gatherers managed to survive in one of the most inhospitable places on earth - the Arctic region of Northern Siberia. Alice meets the nomadic Evenki people, whose lives are dictated by reindeer, both wild and domesticated, and discovers that the survival techniques of this very ancient people have been passed down through generations. Alice also explores what may have occurred during human migration to produce Chinese physical characteristics, and considers a controversial claim about Chinese evolution: that the Chinese do not share the same African ancestry as other peoples.

Alice Roberts

Director Director

Charles Colville

Producers Producers

Paul Bradshaw Kim Shillinglaw

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The Incredible Human Journey (TV Mini Series)

Asia (2009), full cast & crew.

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Where it all began – the incredible human journey.

Dr Alice Roberts

Press release issued: 8 May 2009

In the ultimate travel story, Dr Alice Roberts (presenter of Coast and Don’t Die Young) from the University of Bristol’s Department of Anatomy, crosses the globe to find out how our ancestors colonised the planet. In ‘The Incredible Human Journey’, a new BBC 2 series airing this Sunday [10 May], she addresses the fundamental question: where do we really come from?

In the ultimate travel story , Dr Alice Roberts (presenter of Coast and Don’t Die Young) from the University of Bristol’s Department of Anatomy , crosses the globe to find out how our ancestors colonised the planet. In ‘ The Incredible Human Journey ’, a new BBC 2 series airing from 10 May, she addresses the fundamental question: where do we really come from?

On her journey Alice examines bones, stones and the latest scientific theories to discover how one small group of people left Africa, their descendents crossing deserts, oceans and mountains, surviving an Ice Age and overcoming the Neanderthals to populate every corner of the world. On the way, she examines how our skin colour and other distinctive features evolved across each of the continents to produce the global diversity of peoples today.

Alice’s mission to retrace our ancestors’ footsteps takes her to the depths of Africa, Asia, Europe, Australia and the Americas to learn the secrets of our nomadic past. In this epic five-part series, Alice brings together the latest discoveries in genetics, archaeology, paleoanthropology and climatology to explain how our journeys across the world made us who we are today.

Alice at Omo Kibish

Out of Africa (1/5)

Bbc two, sunday 10 may, 9.30pm.

In the first episode of the Incredible Human Journey Alice treks into the remote wilderness of the Great Rift Valley of Ethiopia to find the spot where the earliest known remains of our species were discovered. Travelling across the continent, Alice learns how the Click language, the design of our bodies and our ancient hunter-gatherer skills may have contributed to our successful survival and migration across Africa.

In Cape Town, Alice meets geneticist Raj Ramesar, who tells her of the astonishing discovery that every single person who isn’t African is descended from one single group of people who left Africa around 70,000 years ago.

But how did they do it? With only stone-age tools, it seems impossible that one small group of our ancestors could have made the crossing – either over hundreds of miles of desert or across the Red Sea to leave Africa – so Alice must turn to leading experts and the latest scientific research to discover the route that they may have taken.

Join Dr Alice Roberts as she retraces our courageous migration out of Africa and examines the origins of our global family tree.

BBC TWO, Sunday 17 May

In the second episode of the Incredible Human Journey, Dr Alice Roberts visits the frozen wastelands of Asia and continues in her quest to discover how a small band of humans came to eventually populate the globe.

Alice travels to Siberia, one of the coldest places on earth, to film the Evenki nomads, a remote tribe who have much to teach us about how our ancestors survived extreme climates. She discovers how one of the world’s oldest sewing needles could be the key to understanding how early humans conquered their environment.

Next, Alice looks at an intriguing anthropological puzzle. If every single non-African in the world is descended from one group of people that left Africa around 70,000 years ago, why does the world's population look so different? Alice explores what may have occurred during human migration to produce Chinese physical characteristics, and considers a controversial take on Chinese evolution that claims the Chinese do not share the same African ancestry as other peoples.

Europe (3/5)

Bbc two, sunday 24 may.

In the third episode of the Incredible Human Journey, Dr Alice Roberts takes on Europe and determines how our ancestors managed to survive the dual challenges of the ice age and the Neanderthals. In a TV first, Alice sees revealed the face of the earliest known European – a person with distinctly African features. She then investigates an intriguing question: what happened on the Human Journey that made Europeans change colour, from brown to white?

When our dark-skinned ancestors arrived in Europe they found the Neanderthals had got there first. They had equally sharp weapons, bigger brains and were better adapted to the cold than us. But over thousands of years, somehow, Homo Sapiens spread, while the Neanderthals slowly died out.

Alice challenges current assumptions about how we overcame the Neanderthals and explores what an ivory flute has to tell us about how our ancestors out-competed their rivals.

In addition to Alice's contribution to the series the BBC commissioned two other Bristol University academics to act as programme consultants. Dr Joy Singarayer , Lecturer in Coastal Oceanography and Paul Valdes , Professor of Physical Geography from the University's School of Geographical Sciences , provided advice on past climates, and prepared a number of animations and unique computer simulations that are shown on screen by Alice.

Further information

The Incredible Human Journey

From docuwiki, [ edit ] general information.

History , Travel Documentary hosted by Alice Roberts and published by BBC in 2009 - English narration

[ edit ] Cover

[ edit ] Information

How did we get here? Following a trail of clues from the latest scientific research, Dr Alice Roberts re-traces the greatest ever journey taken by our ancestors. Thousands of years ago one small group of our species, Homo sapiens, crossed out of Africa and into the unknown. Their descendants faced baking deserts, sweat-soaked jungles and frozen wildernesses and risked everything on the vast empty ocean.

Within 60,000 years they colonised the whole world... How did they do it? Why do we, their descendants all look so different? And what did we have that meant we were the only human species to survive?

Using the evidence from genetics, fossils, archaeology and climatology, Dr Alice Roberts uncovers five epic routes our ancestors took across the globe and the obstacles and brutal challenges they encountered along the way. It reveals how our family tree grew and spread out across the world, producing all the variety we see in the human species today – but despite all that diversity, Alice reveals how astonishingly closely related we all are.

[ edit ] Out of Africa

Esp. 1.Out of Africa .Alice travels to Africa in search of the birthplace of the first people. They were so few in number and so vulnerable that today they would probably be considered an endangered species. So what allowed them to survive at all? The Bushmen of the Kalahari have some answers - the unique design of the human body made them efficient hunters and the ancient click language of the Bushmen points to an early ability to organise and plan. Humans survived there, but Africa was to all intents and purposes a sealed continent. So how and by what route did humans make it out of Africa? Astonishing genetic evidence reveals that everyone alive today who is not African descends from just one successful, tiny group which left the continent in a single crossing, an event that may have happened around 70 thousand years ago. But how did they do it? Alice goes searching for clues in the remote Arabian Desert.

[ edit ] Asia

Esp. 2. Asia. In this programme, the journey continues into Asia, the world's greatest land mass, in a quest to discover how early hunter-gatherers managed to survive in one of the most inhospitable places on earth - the Arctic region of Northern Siberia. Alice meets the nomadic Evenki people, whose lives are dictated by reindeer, both wild and domesticated, and discovers that the survival techniques of this very ancient people have been passed down through generations. Alice also explores what may have occurred during human migration to produce Chinese physical characteristics, and considers a controversial claim about Chinese evolution: that the Chinese do not share the same African ancestry as other peoples.

[ edit ] Europe

Esp. 3. Europe. When our species first arrived in Europe, the peak of the Ice Age was approaching and the continent was already crawling with a rival: stronger, at home in the cold and even (contrary to their popular image) brainier than us. So how did the European pioneers survive first the Neanderthals and then the deep freeze as they pushed across the continent? Alice Roberts reconstructs the head of the 'first European' to come face to face with one of our ancestors; she discovers how art became crucial for survival in the face of Neanderthal competition; and what happened to change the skin colour of these European pioneers from black to white. Finally, spectacular new finds on the edge of Europe suggest that the first known temples may have been a spark for a huge revolution in our ancestors' way of life - agriculture.

[ edit ] Australia

Esp. 4. Australia. Alice looks at our ancestors' seemingly impossible journey to Australia. Miraculously preserved footprints and very old human fossils buried in the outback suggest a mystery: that humans reached Australia almost before anywhere else. How could they have travelled so far from Africa, crossing the open sea on the way, and do it thousands of years before they made it to Europe? The evidence trail is faint and difficult to pick up, but Alice takes on the challenge. In India, new discoveries among the debris of a super volcano hint that our species started the journey much earlier than previously thought, while in Malaysia, genetics points to an ancient trail still detectable in the DNA of tribes today. Alice travels deep into the Asian rainforests in search of the first cavemen of Borneo and tests out a Stone Age raft to see whether sea travel would have been possible thousands of years ago, before coming to a powerful conclusion.

[ edit ] The Americas

Esp.5. The Americas

Alice tries to find out how Stone Age people reached North and South America for the first time. She finds out about an ancient corridor through the Canadian ice sheet that might have allowed the first humans through. Old finds in Chile though point to a whole different route for the first humans making it there.

[ edit ] Screenshots

[ edit ] technical specs.

• Video Codec: XviD
• Video Bitrate: 1559 KB/s
• Video Aspect Ratio: 1: 76
• Video Resolution: 704 x 400
• Audio Codec: (Dolby AC3)
• Audio BitRate: 192 KB/s
• RunTime: 59 mins
• Framerate: 25 FPS
• Number Of Parts: 5
• Part Size: 744 MB
• Ripped by artistharry
• Subtitles: English
• Source: DVD

[ edit ] Links

[ edit ] further information.

• www.bbc.co.uk

[ edit ] Release Post

• MVGroup.org (ed2k)
• MVGroup.org (torrent)
• DonkeyHeaven.com

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[ edit ] ed2k Links

BBC.The.Incredible.Human.Journey.1of5.Out.of.Africa.XviD.AC3.MVGroup.org.avi (744.21 Mb) Subtitles : [ara] [eng] [rum] [spa] BBC.The.Incredible.Human.Journey.2of5.Asia.XviD.AC3.MVGroup.org.avi (744.03 Mb) Subtitles : [eng] [rum] [spa] BBC.The.Incredible.Human.Journey.3of5.Europe.XviD.AC3.MVGroup.org.avi (744.29 Mb) Subtitles : [ara] [eng] [rum] [spa] BBC.The.Incredible.Human.Journey.4of5.Australia.XviD.AC3.MVGroup.org.avi (744.16 Mb) Subtitles : [eng] [rum] [spa] BBC.The.Incredible.Human.Journey.5of5.The.Americas.XviD.AC3.MVGroup.org.avi (744.11 Mb) Subtitles : [eng] [rum] [spa]

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Categories : History | Travel | Alice Roberts | BBC | 2009 | English | Name Language > English Name Narrator > Alice Roberts Publisher > BBC Subject > History Subject > Travel Year > 2009

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The Incredible Human Journey

The Incredible Human Journey is a five-episode, 300-minute, science documentary film presented by Alice Roberts , based on her book by the same name. The film was first broadcast on BBC television in May and June 2009 in the UK. It explains the evidence for the theory of early human migrations out of Africa and subsequently around the world, supporting the Out of Africa Theory . This theory claims that all modern humans are descended from anatomically modern African Homo sapiens rather than from the more archaic European and Middle Eastern Homo neanderthalensis or the indigenous Chinese Homo pekinensis .

1. Out of Africa

4. australia, 5. the americas, international broadcast, merchandise, external links.

Each episode concerns a different continent, and the series features scenes filmed on location in each of the continents featured. The first episode aired on BBC Two on Sunday 10 May 2009. [1]

In the first episode, Roberts introduces the idea that genetic analysis suggests that all modern humans are descended from Africans. She visits the site of the Omo remains in Ethiopia , which are the earliest known anatomically modern humans . She visits the San people of Namibia to demonstrate the hunter-gatherer lifestyle. In South Africa , she visits Pinnacle Point , to see the cave in which very early humans lived. She then explains that genetics suggests that all non-Africans may descend from a single, small group of Africans who left the continent tens of thousands of years ago. She explores various theories as to the route they took. She describes the Jebel Qafzeh remains in Israel as a likely dead end from a crossing of Suez , and sees a route across the Red Sea and around the Arabian coast as the more probable route for modern human ancestors, especially given the lower sea levels of the past.

In the second episode, Roberts travels to Siberia and visits an isolated community of indigenous people who still practice reindeer hunting. With reference to them, she asks how ancient Africans could have adapted to the hostile climate of northern Asia, and why Asian people look so different from Africans.

Roberts then explores an alternative to the Out of Africa theory , the multiregional hypothesis that has gained support in some scientific communities in China. According to this theory, the Chinese are descended from a human species called Homo erectus rather than from the Homo sapiens from which the rest of humanity evolved . Roberts visits the Zhoukoudian caves, in which Peking Man , the supposed Homo erectus ancestor of the Chinese, was discovered. Roberts notes that some Chinese anthropologists and palaeontologists have shown modern Chinese physical characteristics in the fossil skulls, such as broad cheek bones, cranial skull shape and shovel-shaped incisors that are absent in almost all other humans. She also notes that the stone tools found in China seem more primitive than those elsewhere, and infers that they were made exclusively by Homo erectus . However, she argues that the skull evidence is only subtle. She interviews an American palaeontologist, who presents his hypothesis that the ancient Chinese humans used bamboo instead of stone, explaining the absence of sophisticated stone tools, despite the absence of archaeological evidence to support this hypothesis. Finally, Roberts interviews Chinese geneticist Jin Li , who ran a study of more than 10,000 individuals scattered throughout China from 160 ethnic groups. The study initially hypothesised that the modern Chinese population evolved from Homo erectus in China but concluded that the Chinese people did in fact evolve and migrate from Africa like the rest of world's population.

In the third episode, Roberts describes the various waves of anatomically modern humans that settled the continent of Europe . She crosses the Bosphorus and travels up the Danube River , following their likely route. She then describes the already resident population of Neanderthals , and visits Gibraltar , the last known site occupied by Neanderthals. She suggests that the principal difference between them and Homo sapiens was the latter's ability to create art, and visits the cave paintings at Lascaux . She discusses the theories about why Europeans have white skin and describes the birth of agriculture and the societal changes that took place as a result, visiting the spectacular Neolithic temple at Göbekli Tepe , in southeastern Turkey .

In the fourth episode, Roberts discusses the evidence of the Mungo Lake remains , which suggest, unexpectedly, that humans reached Australia long before they reached Europe, even though Australia is further away from Africa. Roberts attempts to trace the journey. She visits a site at Jwalapuram in India that appears to indicate that humans were present there 70,000 years ago, before the Toba supervolcano deposited ash on the site. She then points to the Negrito Semang people of Southeast Asia, who look different from other Asian peoples, and who may be descendants of the peoples who first left Africa. She describes the discovery of the tiny Homo floresiensis on Flores and suggests that they may have been exterminated by modern humans. She describes the crossing of the Torres Strait by experimenting with a bamboo raft. She concludes by visiting a tribe in Northern Australia whose mythology describes their mother goddess arriving from across the sea.

In the final episode, Roberts describes theories about how humans traversed from Asia to the Americas , asking how they achieved it during the Ice Age , when the route to North America was blocked by ice walls. She describes the traditional theory that the first Americans were the Clovis culture , who arrived through an ice-free corridor towards the end of the Ice Age 13,000 years ago. However, she then visits archaeological sites in Texas , Brazil , the Californian Channel Islands and Monte Verde in southern Chile , which show 14,000-year-old human remains, proving that humans must have arrived earlier by a different route. She shows the skull of the Luzia Woman , found in Brazil, which displays Australasian features rather than the East Asian features of modern Native Americans ; an archaeologist explains that these first Americans may have been Asians who migrated before Asians developed their distinctive facial features. Roberts shows that the earliest Americans may have migrated down the relatively ice-free western coastlines of North and South America. She concludes by noting that, when Europeans arrived in 1492, they did not recognize Native Americans as fully human, but that modern genetics and archaeology proves that we all ultimately descend from Africans.

(No episode was broadcast on 7 June 2009, which was occupied largely by coverage of the European Parliament election results.)

Overseas, this programme was titled Human Journey and edited down to 51-minute episodes without Roberts' scenes or narration. Instead, voice-work was provided by the BBC's Tessa Wojtczak. [ citation needed ] [ why? ]

• In Australia, this programme aired on ABC1 each Thursday at 8:30   p.m. from 11 March 2010. [7] It has since been repeated in HD on BBC Knowledge . [8]
• In Canada, this programme screened on CBC News Network each Wednesday at 10 p.m. E/P in The Passionate Eye timeslot from 13 October 2010. [9]

The Region 2 DVD was released on 8 June 2009. [10]

The Region 4 DVD was released on 24 March 2010 (original UK broadcast episodes). [11]

The Region 1 DVD was released on 24 August 2010 (original UK broadcast episodes). [12]

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Peking Man is a subspecies of H. erectus which inhabited the Zhoukoudian cave site in modern northern China during the Chibanian. The first fossil, a tooth, was discovered in 1921, and the Zhoukoudian Cave has since then become the most productive H. erectus site in the world. Peking Man was instrumental in the foundation of Chinese anthropology, and fostered an important dialogue between Western and Eastern science for decades to come. The fossils became the centre of anthropological discussion, and were classified as a direct human ancestor, propping up the Out of Asia hypothesis that humans evolved in Asia.

Homo ergaster is an extinct species or subspecies of archaic humans who lived in Africa in the Early Pleistocene. Whether H. ergaster constitutes a species of its own or should be subsumed into H. erectus is an ongoing and unresolved dispute within palaeoanthropology. Proponents of synonymisation typically designate H. ergaster as " African Homo erectus " or " Homo erectus ergaster ". The name Homo ergaster roughly translates to " working man", a reference to the more advanced tools used by the species in comparison to those of their ancestors. The fossil range of H. ergaster mainly covers the period of 1.7 to 1.4 million years ago, though a broader time range is possible. Though fossils are known from across East and Southern Africa, most H. ergaster fossils have been found along the shores of Lake Turkana in Kenya. There are later African fossils, some younger than 1 million years ago, that indicate long-term anatomical continuity, though it is unclear if they can be formally regarded as H. ergaster specimens. As a chronospecies, H. ergaster may have persisted to as late as 600,000 years ago, when new lineages of Homo arose in Africa.

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Nanjing Man is a specimen of Homo erectus found in China. Large fragments of one male and one female skull and a molar tooth of were discovered in 1993 in Hulu Cave on the Tangshan (汤山) hills in Jiangning District, Nanjing. The specimens were found in the Hulu limestone cave at a depth of 60–97 cm by Liu Luhong, a local worker. Dating the fossils yielded an estimated age of 580,000 to 620,000 years old.

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The region of Southeast Asia is considered a possible place for the evidence of archaic human remains that could be found due to the pathway between Australia and mainland Southeast Asia, where the migration of multiple early humans has occurred out of Africa. One of many pieces of evidence is of the early human found in central Java of Indonesia in the late 19th century by Eugene Dubois, and later in 1937 at Sangiran site by G.H.R. van Koenigswald. These skull and fossil materials are Homo erectus , named Pithecanthropus erectus by Dubois and Meganthropus palaeojavanicus by van Koenigswald. They were dated to c. 1.88 and 1.66 Ma, as suggested by Swisher et al . by analysis of volcanic rocks.

The Dmanisi hominins , Dmanisi people, or Dmanisi man were a population of Early Pleistocene hominins whose fossils have been recovered at Dmanisi, Georgia. The fossils and stone tools recovered at Dmanisi range in age from 1.85 to 1.77 million years old, making the Dmanisi hominins the earliest well-dated hominin fossils in Eurasia and the best preserved fossils of early Homo from a single site so early in time, though earlier fossils and artifacts have been found in Asia. Though their precise classification is controversial and disputed, the Dmanisi fossils are highly significant within research on early hominin migrations out of Africa. The Dmanisi hominins are known from over a hundred postcranial fossils and five famous well-preserved skulls, referred to as Dmanisi Skulls 1–5.

The Salé cranium is a pathological specimen of enigmatic Middle Pleistocene hominin discovered from Salé, Morocco by quarrymen in 1971. Since its discovery, the specimen has variously been classified as Homo sapiens , Homo erectus , Homo rhodesiensis / bodoensis , or Homo heidelbergensis . Its pathological condition and mosaic anatomy has proved difficult to classify. It was discovered with few faunal fossils and no lithics, tentatively dated to 400 ka by some sources.

• ↑ "Where it all began – The Incredible Human Journey " . Bristol University . 8 May 2009 . Retrieved 21 May 2009 .
• ↑ " 'Secret Millionaire' ends run with 2.2m" . Digital Spy . 11 May 2009 . Retrieved 23 May 2009 .
• ↑ " 'Lost' finale attracts 800,000 for Sky1" . Digital Spy . 18 May 2009 . Retrieved 23 May 2009 .
• ↑ "First 'Talent' semi pulls in 11.8 million" . Digital Spy . 26 May 2009 . Retrieved 26 May 2009 .
• ↑ " 'House' return attracts 676,000 for Sky1" . Digital Spy . 1 June 2009 . Retrieved 8 September 2009 .
• ↑ "Promising start for Alan Carr chatshow" . Digital Spy . 15 June 2009 . Retrieved 8 September 2009 .
• ↑ "ABC1 Programming Airdate: Human Journey (episode one)" . ABC Television Publicity . Retrieved 21 January 2011 .
• ↑ "BBC Knowledge Programme Summary: Human Journey" . BBC Knowledge Online . Retrieved 21 February 2011 .
• ↑ "CBC News Network Episode Listing: Human Journey" . CBC Television . Retrieved 19 July 2011 .
• ↑ "BBC Shop: The Incredible Human Journey DVD" . BBC Shop Online . Retrieved 19 July 2011 .
• ↑ "ABC Shop: The Incredible Human Journey DVD" . ABC Shop Online . Retrieved 19 July 2011 .
• ↑ "The Incredible Human Journey DVD" . Amazon . Retrieved 19 July 2011 .
• The Incredible Human Journey – Official site .
• The Incredible Human Journey at DocuWiki.net .
• The Incredible Human Journey at Amazon.com .
• The Incredible Human Journey – video search on YouTube .
• The Incredible Human Journey – video search on Dailymotion .
• Alice Roberts' official website
• Human Timeline (Interactive) – Smithsonian , National Museum of Natural History (August 2016).

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Out of Eden Walk: Walking Tbilisi

Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, sits at the ancient crossroads of Asia and Europe, of Islam and Christianity. It is currently the scene of a political confrontation over a Russia-inspired law that critics fear will stifle media freedom. Host Marco Werman speaks with National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek in Tbilisi about the city’s rich cultural past and its current tensions.

• By Stephen Snyder

Poised to inspire: the mountains of eastern Georgia, homeland of poet Vazha Pshavela. Poised to inspire: the mountains of eastern Georgia, homeland of poet Vazha Pshavela. Join the journey at outofedenwalk.org.

The Kura River, which has its headwaters in Turkey, cuts eastward into Georgia, where it is called the Mt’k’vari. National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek recorded those icy waters in March 2015 when he was walking toward the Georgian capital, Tbilisi.

The city is currently in the grips of a political crisis over a Russia-inspired law that critics fear will stifle media freedom. 

Paul Salopek is back in Tbilisi now and talked with The World’s Marco Werman about the area’s cultural past and the country’s political landscape today.

Parts of this interview have been lightly edited for length and clarity.

Writer and National Geographic Explorer Paul Salopek has embarked on a 24,000-mile storytelling trek across the world called the “Out of Eden Walk.” The National Geographic Society, committed to illuminating and protecting the wonder of our world, has funded Salopek and the project since 2013. Explore the project  here . Follow the journey on X at @ PaulSalopek , @ outofedenwalk  and also at @ InsideNatGeo .

The article you just read is free because dedicated readers and listeners like you chose to support our nonprofit newsroom. Our team works tirelessly to ensure you hear the latest in international, human-centered reporting every weekday. But our work would not be possible without you. We need your help.

Make a gift today to help us reach our $25,000 goal and keep The World going strong. Every gift will get us one step closer.

Malaysia’s ‘The Passport’ Gets Stamp of Approval From the Philippines’ Epicmedia (EXCLUSIVE)

By Patrick Frater

Patrick Frater

Asia Bureau Chief

• Udine’s Far East Film Festival Gives Double Prizes to Japan’s ‘Takano Tofu’ 14 hours ago
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• Zhang Yimou Receives Lifetime Honor at Udine, Talks Talent Development and Perseverance: ‘I Doubt That I’ve Made My Best Possible Film Yet’ 1 day ago

Prolific Philippines-based Epicmedia Productions has come on board “ The Passport ,” a Malaysian coming of age story about a Tamil family and their punk rock daughter. Production is by Malaysia’s Sixtymac Pictures.

The 1980-set narrative in “The Passport” is told from the perspective of Kalki, whose punk band is invited to perform in Europe. When her whole family decides to tag along it ignites a clash of cultural expectations, in and out of the home.

Popular on Variety

“I want to present this film as a poignant experience that delves into the exploration of themes related to identity, art, and human connection, all within the captivating framework of a Malaysian Punk Rock musical, sung in both Tamil and Malay,” said Subramaniam.

“The themes explored in this film — self-identity, Tamil culture, and punk rock music — are not only fascinating but also globally relevant. Through international co-production and the exchange of ideas, we can deepen the layers of our story,” said lead producer Choo Mun Bel.

Epicmedia is having a busy time. It saw its “Viet and Nam” selected for Cannes’ Un Certain Regard section and is organizer of the Directors’ Factory short film production project that is part of Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight sidebar. “The Passport” is also being pitched at the Focus Asia project market at the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy.

Sixtymac produced Subramaniam’s short films “Liar Land” and “The House of Brick and Stone” and now aims to become a major Malaysian film production company focusing on feature films and international co-productions.

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• Category: Announcements

Xbox Empowers Asian and Pacific Islander Communities with GameTan and NEEL

• Learn how Xbox is partnering with GameTan and NEEL.
• Explore games curated by the Asian and Pacific Islander communities.
• Discover how the Ramayana inspired the Xbox logo redesign.

The Asian and Pacific Islander communities have long been a vibrant and integral part of the global gaming ecosystem. Building upon the foundations laid in the early days of video game development, Xbox is proud to innovate in gaming spaces and champion beloved game titles thanks to the incredible work of developers and artists who identify as part of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. The rich storytelling traditions, innovative technology, and unique artistic perspectives from these regions continue to enrich the gaming world, offering players a wide array of experiences that challenge, entertain, and inspire.

Developers often draw upon their lived experiences to help inform elements of their games. This is also true for many developers within the Asian and Pacific community, who will sometimes feature traditional folklore, art, and philosophy in games. This not only introduces gamers to new narratives and aesthetics but also promotes a greater understanding and appreciation of these cultures. Moreover, the rise of competitive gaming, or esports, has seen players from these communities rise to the top, showcasing their skills on the world stage and inspiring a new generation of gamers. We are also partnering with two nonprofits who live these values. They share our goal of sharing the joy of play and community across the globe and providing opportunities to students and those interested in the industry to learn and gain experience in the world of esports, technology, and game design.

The contributions of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities are not just limited to content creation. The community is also full of avid gamers, forming a significant portion of the player base and actively participating in online communities. Their feedback and engagement are crucial in shaping the development of games, ensuring they remain relevant and enjoyable for a global audience. Xbox is committed to supporting and celebrating the diversity within our community, recognizing that it is the blend of different cultures and ideas that drives innovation and makes the gaming world so dynamic and exciting.  After all, games allow players to feel seen, and can also be a tool for empathy and provide insights into underrepresented communities’ experiences. Here’s how we are supporting Asian and Pacific Islander communities this year:

Xbox is Partnering with GameTan and Nevada Esports Education League

This year, Xbox is excited to announce our collaboration with two exceptional nonprofit organizations dedicated to enriching their communities through the power of gaming and esports education. These partnerships are a testament to our commitment to increasing representation and building empathy through the power of play. By working closely with these nonprofits, we aim to create inclusive spaces where the thrill of competition and the spirit of teamwork can thrive through the lens of Asian and Pacific Islander communities.

These nonprofits embody our core mission: to spread the joy of gaming far and wide, and to build strong, supportive networks of gamers within the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This work is pivotal in unlocking new possibilities, as they expand gaming from mere entertainment into a pathway for educational and professional opportunities. Through these partnerships, we are opening doors to new experiences, empowering individuals with the skills and confidence to explore the dynamic world of esports and gaming, and fostering a community that celebrates underrepresented communities and inclusion. Read more about each organization below:

GameTan (Within HauTutū) – Based in New Zealand, and working within the nonprofit HauTutu , GameTan provides kids the opportunity to learn and step into the world of gaming, esports, and technology. Through various events, and projects, they allow students to step into leadership roles and gain experience at a young age. They also host game clubs where they provide a space for the community to come together through food and video games. These game clubs also allow GameTan to help homeless children get a meal, build community, and also learn about opportunities within the gaming, esports, and tech industries. This year, Xbox will be providing a donation to support GameTan in furthering their mission and programs.

GameTan’s mission has 4 main pillars: 

• “In order for our kids to change the future, we as teachers must change our approach.” 

Me aro ngā kaiako i ngā wawata o ngā tauira, kia mārama ngā tauira i te anamata 

• Game-Led Learning: Where Fun Meets Future Skills 

Ako Ātea : Te tūtakitanga a tākaro me pūkenga ki te anamata 

• Whānau-Centered Innovation: Tech for All 

Te auahatanga o te whānau: Mō te ao katoa te hangarau. 

• Creating Career Pathways: From Local Talent to Global Leaders 

Whaohia te ara ki tua o paerangi: Ngā rangatira o te kainga, Ngā rangatira o te ao 

GameTan, where culture meets technology, and innovation knows no bounds. Together, we’re not just playing games; we’re changing the game. 

Nevada Esports Education League (NEEL) – The Nevada Esports Education League (NEEL), Nevada’s sole nonprofit dedicated to Esports, pioneers programs for youth focusing on career development, STEM outreach, and community engagement. From organizing charity Twitch streams to volunteering at Esports conventions, and hosting community tournaments and boot camps, NEEL actively engages youth and cultivates inclusive communities, particularly among Asian American Pacific Islander and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AAPINHPI) groups. This year Xbox will be providing a donation that NEEL will leverage to prioritize mental health awareness initiatives tailored for AAPINHPI gamers, champion diversity and inclusion in esports, and celebrate cultural heritage through gaming events. Collaborating with Xbox, NEEL is committed to empowering AAPINHPI youth and fostering positive change within the esports industry, highlighting gaming’s potential as a platform for social impact and community involvement.

Gaming and Impact with Microsoft Rewards

Rewards members in the United States can earn and donate points to organizations supporting Asian and Pacific Islander communities with Xbox. The organizations below will be available on the Rewards hub: 

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC – AAJC works through strategic policy advocacy, active community education, and impactful litigation to advance the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and to build and promote a fair and equitable society for all.
• AAPI Equity Alliance – AAPI Equity Alliance (AAPI Equity) is dedicated to improving the lives of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through civic engagement, capacity building, and policy advocacy.
• Stop AAPI Hate – Stop AAPI Hate advances equity & justice by dismantling systemic racism & building a multiracial movement to end anti-Asian American & Pacific Islander hate through community empowerment, solidarity & advocacy for comprehensive solutions.

Xbox players can earn Rewards points in various ways, such as playing games, completing Game Pass Quests, and purchasing games and other eligible items at the Microsoft Store (exclusions apply). Start earning today and redeem your points for great rewards. Donate your points on the Rewards hub or on the Microsoft Rewards redeem page . 

Explore Games Curated by Asian and Pacific Islander Communities at Microsoft

Pacific Islander Heritage month featuring water, fire, and two characters from the Ramayana, Sukhrip and Madchanu on a stage with embroidered curtains.

Gaming would not be what it is today without the contributions, perspectives, and influence from Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Here at Xbox, we want to honor this richly diverse set of communities by providing engaging gaming experiences that represent a myriad of histories and heritage. ​

During May and beyond, check out a variety of game collections that reflect the vast diversity of East Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands. These collections showcase creators, lead characters, and games inspired by these cultures. Available on the Microsoft Stores on Xbox and Windows, check out the collections of  East, South, and Southeast Asian Community Games  and  Pacific Islander and Indigenous Community Games . These collections will exist year-round as part of our ongoing work to create more inclusive gaming ecosystems and elevate content that resonates with communities.​

Featured titles within the collections available with Xbox Game Pass  and  PC Game Pass  include:​

Eiyuden Chronicle: Hundred Heroes (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud)  – Japanese creators Yoshitaka Murayama and Junko Kawano designed this game to bring players a modern take on a classic JRPG experience. Lead up to 100+ playable characters through a war-torn world with diverse cultures and values that only you can save. ​

Mineko’s Night Market (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud)  – Play this cozy game as Mineko, a curious girl who has just arrived at her new home on a struggling Japanese-inspired island at the base of Mount Fugu. Mineko’s Night Market celebrates Japanese culture while introducing a heartwarming story about friendship, tradition, and many, many cats. The husband-and-wife team of Meowza Games, Brent and Brandi Kobayashi, incorporated inspiration from Studio Ghibli and the real-life cat island in Aoshima, Japan.​

Sword and Fairy: Together Forever (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – Enter a realm based on ancient Chinese mythology and aesthetics in a real-time role-playing adventure from Taiwanese director, Yao Zhuangxian. Command a memorable party of characters, tame spirit creatures, play mini-games, and explore a vast world full of side quests to discover.​

Thirsty Suitors (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud) – A celebration of South Asian identity, Thirsty Suitors is a game about culture, intergenerational trauma, and expressing oneself. Follow Jala Jayaratne, a bisexual daughter of immigrants from India and Sri Lanka, in this story-driven adventure that unfolds through skateboarding, cooking, and turn-based battles against exes. Created by Outerloop Games, a minority – led indie game studio that aims to create accessible games with depth about underrepresented cultures and themes. ​

Venba (Available with Xbox Game Pass on Console, PC, and Cloud)  – Cook delicious South Indian cuisine and experience the journey of an immigrant Tamil family, from lead developer Abhi Swaminathan. Take on the role of a loving mother and restore lost recipes in this narrative cooking simulator about family, love, loss , and exploring new challenges that arise in day-to-day life.

Discover the Inspiration Behind the Xbox Logo Design

For Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Xbox commissioned an artist from Thailand to redesign the Xbox logo. The artist was inspired by the Ramayana , an epic tale originally from India and has also influenced other Asian peoples, including those in Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Laos. In Thailand, the story of the Ramayana is told through Kohn , a traditional Thai dance.  Just as players create avatars to assume an identity in a game, Kohn performers wear masks to portray different characters.

The Xbox design features Sukhrip (Sugriva), the son of the sun, and Madchanu, the son of a mermaid.  The stage scene focuses on Songkran , the Thai New Year, which is celebrated in April. Traditionally, this celebration includes splashing with water to cool down from the hot sun. In this scene, Madchanu playfully splashes Sukhrip with water, while the Xbox logo represents the vibrant sun, capturing the festive spirit of Songkran.

The stage curtains include embroidered wild orchid flowers in the traditional style of Northern Thailand.  The pattern also includes fog and rivers, embodying the beautiful, mountainous landscape of the region.

Xbox Ambassadors Celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024

As part of Xbox’s celebration of Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we connected with Xbox Ambassadors of Asian and Pacific Islander heritage about their favorite gaming experiences. They shared ways video games can highlight their heritage in positive and authentic ways. Hear more from Xbox Ambassadors in this Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month blog .

APIHM Dynamic Background and Wallpaper Available Now

The Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Xbox design is available today as an Xbox wallpaper and dynamic background on console – follow  these steps  to apply the dynamic background:

• Press the Xbox button on your controller to open the guide.
• Select Profile & system  >  Settings  >  General  >  Personalization  >  My background  >  Dynamic backgrounds .

You can choose between Games , Xbox , or Abstract  dynamic backgrounds. Choose the background art that you want with the A  button.