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Asia Insight
Season 3
Episode 30

The New Puppet Theater of Laos

September 19, 2014

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Asia Insight - S3 - E30

Puppetry is a vital part of Laotian theatrical tradition, and for many years, it was a very popular form of entertainment. As time past, however, fewer people have learned the craft, resulting in an art in decline. The puppet theater troupe, Kabong Lao, is trying to revive the art form with an innovative and fresh approach. They use everyday objects from rice containers to washing machine hoses to invent a unique style of puppetry combined with live theater. Their performances are fantastical but they also contain spiritual or social messages that connect strongly with the people. In the episode, we follow the theater troupe that is using creative ways to keep puppetry alive in Laos.

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Asia Insight: Season 3 - 41 Episode s

3x1 - Ulan Bator's Battle for Clear Skies
January 10, 2014
Air pollution in Mongolia's capital, Ulan Bator, is among the world's worst. A thick haze often envelops the city, reducing visibility to just 20 meters. The main problem is smoke from coal-burning stoves. The number of such stoves has increased as more migrants move to the city in search of work. City officials are now trying to tackle the problem by convincing people to replace their old stoves. In this episode, we look at the battle to bring clear skies back to Ulan Bator.
3x2 - Cambodia's Factories Face Labor Rifts
January 17, 2014
Cambodia's economy is booming thanks in part to a burgeoning garment industry. Business people from other countries have opened factories in areas surrounding the capital, Phnom Penh. Many Cambodians are abandoning rural life for factory jobs and the increased economic opportunity they offer. But the process has not been smooth. Workers are demanding higher pay and other concessions from management. Factory owners are being forced to reexamine their image of Cambodia as a low-wage alternative to China.
3x3 - Education for a Month: Nepal
January 24, 2014
A look at the amount of families in Nepal who cannot afford to send their children into school.
3x4 - Celebration Amid Disaster in The Philippines
January 31, 2014
Following the lives of those who lived through the devastating typhoon that hit the Philippines in November 2013.
3x5 - The Street Children of Ulan Bator
February 7, 2014
In spite of rapid economic growth in Mongolia's capital, Ulan Bator, the gap between rich and poor is widening with insufficient employment for former nomads flocking to the city. Many children choose to leave their poverty stricken homes and around 400 live on the city streets, enduring sub-zero conditions during the winter.
3x6 - The Foggy Skies of Beijing
February 14, 2014
PM2.5 - tiny particulate matter - is the main cause of the air pollution currently plaguing China. The air quality in Beijing is reaching critical levels and it seems that China is paying the price for its voracious economic development. With the health of Beijing's residents at risk, in this episode we take a look at how authorities, scientists, the business sectors and locals are dealing with this issue.
3x7 - White Gold: The Cambodian Rice Market
February 21, 2014
Although strong economic growth is taking place in Cambodia's capital city, rural Cambodia - home to 80% of the country's population - remains impoverished. In order to raise the standard of living there, the government has turned its attention to the production of processed rice - otherwise known as white gold.
3x8 - I'm Not Going Home: Social Changes Reshape Chinese New Year
February 28, 2014
Chinese New Year is traditionally a time for people in China to spend time with their families. Migrants living and working in major cities typically return en masse to their hometowns. But the number of people who choose not to go home is increasing. Some remain in the cities to work and earn extra money. Others are hesitant to spend time with their families. This episode looks at migrants who decide to stay put, and what it means for a time-honored Chinese custom.
3x9 - Fashion: Cambodian Style
March 7, 2014
The Cambodian fashion industry could be about to bloom. Until recently, overseas brands and trends have been all the rage but some youngsters are beginning to develop their own styles and seek careers as designers. Many of their designs maintain a Cambodian flair and are starting to gain attention in international fashion circles. In this episode, we follow a young designer as he struggles to prepare for his first ever collection and other players in Cambodia's budding fashion world.
3x10 - Lonely Providers: South Korea's Goose Fathers
March 21, 2014
South Korea is home to a growing legion of lonely men. They are fathers whose wives and kids have gone overseas so the children can receive an international education. Goose fathers juggle the burden of providing for their families while dealing with the stress of living all alone. Such sacrifices cause some men to become depressed. In this episode, we talk to several goose fathers who have given up the comforts of family life in the hope of giving their children a bright future.
3x11 - Overcoming the Odds: Laos Young Filmmakers
March 28, 2014
For 20 years, not a single commercial film was made in the Lao People's Democratic Republic. Now, a group of young filmmakers is turning things around. They are short on funds and equipment, and government censors curb their creative freedom. But they make up for such limitations with passion and drive. In this episode, we follow the founders of Lao New Wave Cinema, a film production company that is charting a new path in a socialist country and inspiring the next generation.
3x12 - The Pushcart Schools of the Philippines
April 4, 2014
In deprived Filipino districts, it's common for children to record poor attendances after starting school and some drop out altogether. Even though children have the right for free education in the Philippines, many parents simply can't afford to pay for uniforms and study materials. Some kids end up helping to support their families by going out to work. An innovative mobile school project has emerged which aims to reduce the number of children who've abandoned their schooling. Through visiting poor neighborhoods with books and study materials stacked on to pushcarts, they are providing kids with hope for the future.
3x13 - North Korean Defectors Struggles in South Korea
April 11, 2014
Over 26,000 North Koreans have now defected to South Korea. Seoul has many measures in place to resettle these defectors, as it considers their acceptance into South Korean society as one way to unify the Korean peninsula. Despite these measures, defectors often face hurdles in the South, and because of this, many have been trying to move on to other countries in recent years. This episode of Asia Insight focuses on the North Koreans who fled from their homes and are struggling to integrate into their new communities.
3x14 - Restoring Vietnam's Forests
April 25, 2014
During the Vietnam War, vast amounts of defoliant were released by the US military in order to destroy the tropical forests that concealed guerilla fighters. The dioxins contained in the defoliant destroyed foliage and soil, creating toxic hotspots and areas where only grass can grow even today. In this episode, we follow the 40-year campaign of Dr. Quy to restore the Vietnamese rainforests to their former glory.
3x15 - Singapore's Immigration Discord
May 2, 2014
Singapore had actively encouraged immigration and foreign investment over the past few decades in a bid to trigger economic growth. On the assumption that the nation's only resource was its labor force, various measures were put in place to bring in more workers. Including people with permanent residency, almost 40% of the small nation state's people are now foreign nationals. In this episode of Asia Insight, we follow the discord caused by Singapore's immigration policy almost half a century after its independence.
3x16 - Spreading Light with Plastic Bottles
May 9, 2014
In impoverished areas of the Philippines, many households cannot afford electricity and don't use their lights. As the homes are so densely packed, they block sunlight and remain in darkness even during the day. Illac Diaz is a social entrepreneur who is striving to help those in this situation by promoting the use of an ingenious method of lighting using plastic bottles. This episode of Asia Insight focuses on his project and the lives of those who struggle to find adequate sources of lighting in the Philippines.
3x17 - Saving China's Abandoned Children
May 16, 2014
In China, roughly 100,000 children are abandoned by their parents each year. Many suffer from illness or disability. Shanghai is one of the first Chinese cities to address the issue with one hospital taking in more than 500 unwanted children over the past 9 years. There has also been an increase in so-called baby hatches as there are concerns over infants left in life-threatening environments. This episode of Asia Insight follows some of the people at the frontline in protecting China's abandoned children.
3x18 - TV Drama Abu Dhabi-style
May 23, 2014
Abu Dhabi is the capital of the United Arab Emirates and with its rich oil resources, it is also the most affluent emirate. TV dramas produced here are already popular throughout the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf Region and they focus on everyday life in the emirate, including such taboo subjects as trouble with domestic staff. In this week's episode, we take a look at the TV drama industry in Abu Dhabi.
3x19 - NGO Revives Chinese Villages
June 6, 2014
Rural farming villages in China are faced with a multitude of problems including poverty, environmental destruction and depopulation caused by villagers migrating to cities. A local artist is tackling these issues at a grass roots level through projects which aim at restoring villages based on traditional construction designs and eco-friendly values. Through such efforts, his NGO hopes to help attract more tourists to rural parts and bring locals back. This episode of Asia Insight follows his group's work to revitalize villages all over China.
3x20 - An Emerging Sporting Nation: Qatar
June 13, 2014
Qatar is a small country in the Middle East with a population of 2 million people. Although it is blessed with natural resources such as oil and natural gas, the government realizes that one day these resources will be exhausted. It has started, therefore, to invest vast amounts of money in other sectors, including the world of sports.
3x21 - Farewell to Cambodia's Norry
June 20, 2014
The Cambodian norry is an improvised rail vehicle, which carries passengers and cargo from rural to urban areas using unused railroad tracks. They have long been a vital way for Cambodians to get around, especially in rural parts where infrastructure is very basic. Now, amidst brisk economic growth, roads are being built and a plan is being implemented to revive the rail system and reopen neglected lines. The norry is gradually becoming obsolete but one operator is determined to continue his business. In this episode, we follow his efforts to survive in the rapidly changing Cambodia.
3x22 - South Korea's Unwed Mothers
July 4, 2014
In South Korea, approximately 10,000 children are born to single mothers who never married every year, and in the 50 years between 1956 and 2006 around 100,000 infants were adopted away from the country. Due to the strong influence of Confucianism, having a child out of wedlock has long been a taboo and traditionally frowned upon by South Koreans. Unwed single mothers are often disowned by their families and have nowhere to go. Several years ago, a group of unwed mothers decided to take action and founded an organization to share their experiences and seek understanding and support.
3x23 - One China Two Systems: Hong Kong 17 Years On
July 25, 2014
As Hong Kong's economy steadily merges with mainland China following its handover from British colonial rule 17 years ago, Beijing's influence over the city continues to strengthen. But demands for universal suffrage are growing as the Hong Kong public becomes increasingly concerned about Beijing's approach, after being promised a large degree of autonomy under the One Country Two Systems policy. On July 1, the day of the handover's 17th anniversary, tens of thousands of people marched across the city to demand democratic elections and express their opposition at Beijing's tightening control. In this episode, we follow some of the young activists and people at the frontline of protests who fear for Hong Kong's future.
3x24 - Finding a Partner in South Korea
August 1, 2014
More and more South Koreans who want to get married are finding it increasingly difficult to find a partner. The issue is particularly serious among men, where the average age of marriage is 32, the highest figure in Asia. In recent years, many singles have been turning to unconventional methods and depending on matchmakers for help. These go-betweens range from a Buddhist priest to an agency that introduces North Korean defectors. In this episode, we follow some of the single men in South Korea who are finding a partner and report on the country's changing face of matchmaking.
3x25 - China through the Lens of Youth
August 8, 2014
Some young Chinese photographers are starting to gain worldwide attention for their distinctive and edgy portrayals of modern China. Their work depicts the anxieties and struggles of a repressed youth and is normally censored from being distributed in mainstream markets. The only way for these photographers to get their work out into the world is by using the internet for self-promotion and publishing books overseas. In this episode, we follow a new generation of Chinese photographers who painstakingly capture the reality of modern China.
3x26 - Promoting Organic Farming in Laos
August 15, 2014
Laos is a landlocked country on the Indochina Peninsula and one of the poorest countries within ASEAN. However, its economy has been expanding at roughly 8% annually over the last 5 years creating larger numbers of affluent people. These consumers are concerned about their health and are prepared to pay around 20% more to purchase organic vegetables. With its long-standing tradition of natural cultivation, Laos is suited to organic agriculture because much of the land has not been contaminated with agrochemicals.
3x27 - Working Nights in Manila
August 22, 2014
Nights in Manila, the Philippine capital, have been undergoing a lot of change recently with dozens of factories located in the suburbs now running 24 hours a day. The round-the-clock operations have benefitted many, as late night eateries and taxis who cater to factory workers all try to get a piece of the pie. As production increases and local services prosper, the Filipino capital's economy continues to flourish. This episode follows the residents of Manila, who are working through the night for a brighter future.
3x28 - Sex Trafficking Survivors in Nepal
August 29, 2014
Sex trafficking in Nepal is a serious concern with thousands of females from rural parts being regularly forced into prostitution. An estimated 10,000 women and girls are smuggled across the porous Nepal to India border each year. Some are able to escape or are fortunate enough to be rescued, but even after they return to Nepal, they are shunned by society, and face misunderstanding and prejudice. Shelter and counseling is being provided, however, by an NGO run by former victims. In this episode, we follow Nepal's sex trafficking survivors - women who are trying to rebuild their lives and fighting discrimination.
3x29 - 24 Hours in Beijings Gourmet Town
September 5, 2014
Rapid economic expansion in China has brought about changes in the lifestyles of its citizens. More people work later and dine later, resulting in increased numbers of diners. Guijie Street is Beijing's largest gourmet restaurant district. More than 100 eateries and bars line the 700-meter street. Young people from all over China flock here to find jobs in the catering trade. The streets also bustle with unlicensed vendors. This small area actually reflects trends in modern day China. On this episode of "Asia Insight" we take a look at 24 hours in Beijing's major gourmet town.
3x30 - The New Puppet Theater of Laos
September 19, 2014
Puppetry is a vital part of Laotian theatrical tradition, and for many years, it was a very popular form of entertainment. As time past, however, fewer people have learned the craft, resulting in an art in decline. The puppet theater troupe, Kabong Lao, is trying to revive the art form with an innovative and fresh approach. They use everyday objects from rice containers to washing machine hoses to invent a unique style of puppetry combined with live theater. Their performances are fantastical but they also contain spiritual or social messages that connect strongly with the people. In the episode, we follow the theater troupe that is using creative ways to keep puppetry alive in Laos.
3x31 - South Korea Seeks Skilled Foreigners
September 26, 2014
The Republic of Korea has long been known as a homogenous country, but due to struggles with a labor shortage and an aging society, the nation has been actively allowing foreigners to work and settle in the country since early 2000. It even went as far as taking the step to revise laws to allow foreign nationals to become South Korean citizens.
3x32 - The Aftermath of Strikes in Cambodia
October 10, 2014
In Cambodia, many garment factories have been forced to shut down temporarily and some have even gone under altogether. This was triggered by strikes for higher wages that escalated into large-scale demonstrations in which there were more than 40 injuries and deaths. News of the unrest quickly spread and overseas clients cut back on orders, sensing risk and instability with their Cambodian manufacturers.
3x33 - Female Entrepreneurs in East Timor
October 17, 2014
With a population of 1.2 million, East Timor is one of the poorest countries in Asia. In a male dominated society, women find it difficult to have their voices heard. However, due to strains on household incomes, women are now taking their first tentative steps forward in business. With the help of a Japanese NGO, women in agricultural areas are working together to develop various homegrown produce.
3x34 - Hong Kong's Fight for Democracy
October 24, 2014
July 1, 2014 heralded the 17th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to China after British rule. A mass pro-democracy protest involving 500,000 people was held. 10 days earlier residents had voted in an unofficial referendum calling for democratic elections when selecting Hong Kong's chief executive. Although the referendum was a success, Beijing announced a new system whereby candidates would be nominated by an approval committee.
3x35 - Innovative Farming in Singapore
November 7, 2014
The small, yet affluent city-state of Singapore, on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula. Occupying an area of just 710 square kilometers, the population already exceeds 5.4 million and is expected to grow even further due to migration from overseas. Only 1% of the country's land is used for agriculture, making Singapore dependent upon imports for 90% of its food.
3x36 - Tibet's Changing Landscape: Lhasa
November 14, 2014
Tibet was once among the world's most isolated places. Its main city, Lhasa, was a center of traditional culture and Tibetan Buddhism. But in recent years, development by the Chinese government has brought waves of construction - and Han Chinese workers. The region is being transformed with highways, shopping malls, hotels, and a way of life that threatens to wipe out customs that have been handed down for centuries.
3x37 - Weaving a Brighter Future: Cambodia
November 21, 2014
Fine Cambodian silk has a proud tradition dating back over a thousand years and historically women have been entrusted with the task of weaving it. However, ever since the Cambodian Civil War, the plight of many Cambodian women has been harsh. With no education, many struggled to find jobs. One Cambodian woman has set about tackling this issue through the establishment of a silk workshop that not only trains the women in weaving skills but also educates them in basic writing and arithmetic. In this episode of Asia Insight, we take a look at how education and a good working environment can create a better life for women in Cambodia.
3x38 - Mediating Doctor-Patient Disputes in Shanghai
November 28, 2014
Disputes over poor medical treatment between doctors and patients, stemming from chronic overcrowding, the high cost of healthcare, and a lack of doctor-to-patient communication, have become a growing issue in China, with tens of thousands of cases reported over the past 3 years alone. The problem has become so bad that the government decided to create a system where third-party mediators stand between doctors and patients to conduct investigations.
3x39 - Typhoon Haiyan: One Year On
December 5, 2014
In November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan devastated the central Philippines with the city of Tacloban and nearby areas suffering the worst damage. The disaster left more than 2,700 of Tacloban's population dead or missing and completely destroyed more than 40,000 homes. In this episode, we visit Tacloban one year on and follow several farmers and fishermen as they strive to rebuild their lives.
3x40 - The Dolphin Village: Cambodia
December 12, 2014
The Irrawaddy dolphins, which inhabit the Mekong River in Cambodia, are an endangered species that are bringing economic benefits to local people through eco-tourism. In this episode, we follow the villagers of Kampi, and see how they have turned their conservation efforts into a lucrative homegrown industry, which is now beginning to blossom in other parts.
3x41 - China's Young Entrepreneurs
December 19, 2014
Now that China is wealthier, an increasing number of university graduates dream of starting their own businesses. The Chinese government is also forging ahead with a scheme it hopes will enable 800,000 college students to start their own enterprises by 2017. However, the road to success can be rocky. In this episode of Asia Insight, we follow 2 young entrepreneurs at the opposite end of the spectrum. One is a top university graduate who owns a successful noodle shop, while the other encounters a serious lack of investor interest in his products.

Asia Insight: All seasons

S1: Season 1
29 Episode s
S2: Season 2
41 Episode s
S3: Season 3
41 Episode s
S4: Season 4
43 Episode s
S5: Season 5
36 Episode s
S6: Season 6
37 Episode s
S7: Season 7
39 Episode s
S8: Season 8
29 Episode s
S9: Season 9
32 Episode s
S10: Season 10
28 Episode s
S11: Season 11
26 Episode s
S12: Season 12
33 Episode s
S13: Season 13
22 Episode s

3x1 - Ulan Bator's Battle for Clear Skies

3x2 - Cambodia's Factories Face Labor Rifts

3x3 - Education for a Month: Nepal

3x4 - Celebration Amid Disaster in The Philippines

3x5 - The Street Children of Ulan Bator

3x6 - The Foggy Skies of Beijing

3x7 - White Gold: The Cambodian Rice Market

3x8 - I'm Not Going Home: Social Changes Reshape Chinese New Year

3x9 - Fashion: Cambodian Style

3x10 - Lonely Providers: South Korea's Goose Fathers

3x11 - Overcoming the Odds: Laos Young Filmmakers

3x12 - The Pushcart Schools of the Philippines

3x13 - North Korean Defectors Struggles in South Korea

3x14 - Restoring Vietnam's Forests

3x15 - Singapore's Immigration Discord

3x16 - Spreading Light with Plastic Bottles

3x17 - Saving China's Abandoned Children

3x18 - TV Drama Abu Dhabi-style

3x19 - NGO Revives Chinese Villages

3x20 - An Emerging Sporting Nation: Qatar

3x21 - Farewell to Cambodia's Norry

3x22 - South Korea's Unwed Mothers

3x23 - One China Two Systems: Hong Kong 17 Years On

3x24 - Finding a Partner in South Korea

3x25 - China through the Lens of Youth

3x26 - Promoting Organic Farming in Laos

3x27 - Working Nights in Manila

3x28 - Sex Trafficking Survivors in Nepal

3x29 - 24 Hours in Beijings Gourmet Town

3x30 - The New Puppet Theater of Laos

3x31 - South Korea Seeks Skilled Foreigners

3x32 - The Aftermath of Strikes in Cambodia

3x33 - Female Entrepreneurs in East Timor

3x34 - Hong Kong's Fight for Democracy

3x35 - Innovative Farming in Singapore

3x36 - Tibet's Changing Landscape: Lhasa

3x37 - Weaving a Brighter Future: Cambodia

3x38 - Mediating Doctor-Patient Disputes in Shanghai

3x39 - Typhoon Haiyan: One Year On

3x40 - The Dolphin Village: Cambodia

3x41 - China's Young Entrepreneurs

S1: Season 1

S2: Season 2

S3: Season 3

S4: Season 4

S5: Season 5

S6: Season 6

S7: Season 7

S8: Season 8

S9: Season 9

S10: Season 10

S11: Season 11

S12: Season 12

S13: Season 13