In this first episode, the spotlight is on Athens! The small hamlet, in the 5th century BC, led by Pericles, it would be transformed into one of the greatest ancient cities.

We explore ethnicity, class and identity, and portrayals of colonial Singapore in Hollywood films. Newly-discovered home movies offer a rare, intimate glimpse of everyday life in a time of change.

Singapore in the early 1900s, the height of colonial rule. We see coolies sharing lunch, mourners at a grand funeral and Europeans having tea - brought vividly to life in these rare archival films.

Episode 2 will offer viewers the chance to understand how India changed through the 1930s and right up until independence in 1947. We’ll see the growing of nationalism during the British Empire, and Gandhi’s famous salt march, captured spectacularly on film. We’ll witness muslim refugees on route to Pakistan during Partition.

21st century India is an economic giant, but from 1858 to 1947 was ruled by Britain. This series will allow viewers to understand how India's past shapes her future. 

Before the Silk Road, there existed another road, one that carried iron across the continent. Starting from West Asia, newly discovered archaeological remains in the prairies and mountains throughout Eurasia are shedding light on ancient civilizations hitherto shrouded in mystery. With special access to excavation sites and featuring exquisite artifacts that denote highly sophisticated societies, the program offers glimpses of how iron changed world history. Not only as an awesome weapon in war, the precious metal and its smelting technology created peace and commerce, while revolutionizing mobility on horseback and farming production.

One day in December 202 BC, Xiang Yu, who had never defeated before, and Liu Bang, who had never won against Xiang Yu, set foot on the battlefield of the decisive battle of Gaixia. The end of a hero and the death of a beauty made this war more tender and lamentable. The battle between Chu and Han that lasted for four years finally came to a showdown.

The Battle of Pengcheng allowed Xiang Yu to regain the initiative in the war, but at this time Xiang Yu's status has quietly changed, from the overlord of the world to the vassal of Liu Bang. Liu Bang gathered the remnants along the way and retreated into Xingyang. Xiang Yu led the Chu army and launched another offensive. Could Xiang Yu destroy the Han army in one go? Did Liu Bang resort to a trick to get back the initiative? The situation of this Chu-Han War became more complicated, and thus entered the arduous and long confrontation stage.

After the Feast at Swan Goose Gate, Xiang Yu seized the opportunity in the game with Liu Bang. However, all of this is temporary. Soon, relying on Han Xin's secrets, Liu Bang's hundreds of thousands of troops approached Pengcheng, the capital of Chu State. Facing with the sudden reversal of the situation, the first confrontation between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu was the battle of Pengcheng and It was about to start.

"The Feast at Swan Goose Gate" also known as the "Banquet at Hongmen" is the first episode of documentary series, "Chu–Han Contention". The story took place in 206 BC at Hong Gate, near the capital of the Qin dynasty. Liu Bang and Xiang Yu, leader of the rebel groups against the Qin dynasty from 209–206 BC, both attended the feast. XiangYu wanted to kill Liu Bang and for that he instructed his cousin Xiang Zhuang, to pretend to perform a sword dance to entertain the guests and find an opportunity to assassinate Liu Bang.