There are 2.3 million people locked up in the United States, around half of these people have been sentenced for nonviolent crimes. These inmates are literally costing states billions of dollars each year that they can't afford. In this FRONTLINE special we are taken inside one of America's neighborhoods where getting locked up is just simply a part of everyday life. We see how the system is desi
In 1883, German astronomer Heinrich Olbers looked up into the night sky and saw darkness. He wondered that if the universe were infinite and eternally static then, surely shouldn't the night sky shine with the light of infinite stars? Olbers paradox was so compelling that many considered it proof of a finite universe, a cosmos that at some point simply ends.It wasn't until a century later wh
On Sept. 23, 2021, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon was subpoenaed by the U.S. House select committee investigating the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Revisit FRONTLINE’s examination of Bannon’s worldview and his role in Donald Trump's campaign and administration.A bombastic figure on the far right who rose to prominence as a policy adviser and speechwriter, Steven Bannon entered the White Hous
As the United States publicly engaged in the Vietnam War, there was a secret conflict raging right next door in the country of Laos. Under the direction of the CIA, a full-blown military operation took hold of Laos, with just a select few of the U.S. Armed Forces participating.The CIA was actively training an army of allied guerilla fighters at Long Tieng, a secret airbase located in the hea
In the fast-paced, consumer-driven world we live in, the documentary Minimalism takes viewers on a thought-provoking journey into the lives of minimalists and the philosophy behind this lifestyle choice. This feature documentary explores the core principles of minimalism, emphasizing the value of experiences and relationships over material possessions.We see the film open up by presenting a s
J. Robert Oppenheimer, a man of brilliant intellect, unwavering pride, and undeniable charisma, once stood as a national hero. Guiding the United States through the crucible of World War II, he played a pivotal role in the nation's historic achievement: harnessing the terrifying power of nuclear energy to forge the atomic bomb, an unparalleled weapon of mass destruction. Yet, as the war concluded