The Karoo desert, South Africa, two lone riders gallop at speed across a landscape of desolate and breathtaking beauty. KAROO COWBOY tells the intimate story of Seun Beukes, 29, a descendant of the San Bushman living in one of the most arid places on earth but where, once upon a time, his ancestors existed in perfect harmony with nature. He loves nothing more than being out on the veld and, in the evening, studying old westerns as he tries to learn the intricacies of riding horses and herding cattle. In a way of life that is unique to this desolate corner of the Rainbow Nation, Seun reconciles the contradictions of his people's past with his own present and sets his hopes for the future upon his young daughter who is just starting school. But this year's unprecedented drought has reached a new record and in the anticipation of providential rain the pressure mounts.

Karoo Cowboy

On every fishing outing with her grandmother, Aoi wonders if she will have the strength to carry on. The weather is ideal for shell fishing in the shark-infested waters of the Japanese Sea of Hegura Island. Yet Aoi, 21, still a novice, is nervous to dive in front of her more experienced grandmother. Machiko, 82, is a traditional Ama free diver, meaning "woman of the sea." She is one of the last custodians of a 2 000 years old expertise, one of harvesting abalone and the other precious shells that once had a place of honour at the emperors' table.The Ama tradition is passed down from mother to daughter but for several generations now the ice-cold waters, the scarcity of seashells and the mortal danger that represent both sharks and other fishing boats have discouraged the younger generation who is migrating to Japan's large cities.

Ama, de mer en fille

In the heart of the Kalahari Desert - "Land of the thirsty" to the Kalahari San (Bushmen) - water is a precious and strategic resource. Considered the 'first people', the San have survived here, since time memorial, thanks to their ancestral knowledge of water conservation in ostrich eggs. Bella, 43, is an enterprising and energetic woman of the San community. She opens for us the doors to her world and takes us to meet her uncle, Kayate, the village shaman, and her children, the pride of her heart. But fate seems set against her and her community. A few hundred kilometres from there lives another family of San. Debe, an excellent hunter and proud young father, perpetuates the traditions of his people under the kind eye of his great uncle, Chef Bobo, a wise old man who watches over the future of their community.

Chaos Au Kalahari

These women are specialists in astronomy, immunology, nano-chemistry, and so much more. They are all determined to make a mark in the development of the African continent and the world at large. And slowly but surely, they are doing just that. This is their silent revolution.

Women in science in Africa, a silent revolution - Femmes et science en Afrique, une révolution silencieuse

At the foot of Mount Fuji, Mohei Honda, 36, is one of the most innovative tea masters in Japan. Leading a handful of young trailblazers, Mohei experiments, refines and reinvents the ancient art of tea, which he holds up as the perfect antidote to the modern world’s frenzy. He even travels the country in a “tea truck” with an ambitious goal: to win over the hearts and minds of Tokyoites...