What does freedom mean to you?

Five films exploring freedom in the world today

Why Freedom? A simple enough question, with limitless answers. Both a deeply personal experience, and a universally shared feeling. Sometimes a right, other times a privilege. It can both be granted, or taken away. Some struggle for it daily while it remains out of reach. For others freedom is so normal that they cannot recall the last time they even thought about it.

Through five films this campaign explores the multitudes of freedom in Bolivia, Ukraine, India, Myanmar and the USA.

WHY FREEDOM? is slated to launch in the beginning of 2026 on national TV stations across Europe and Canada.

  • A much needed examination of the culture wars surrounding free speech and expression at American universities. Filmmaker Ric Esther Bienstock has collected a wealth of material since 2017, so expect to see everything from hidden recordings in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) offices and 'woke' students denouncing free speech, to Governor Ron DeSantis' conservative takeover of colleges in Florida, in this pertinent take on one of our times most debated issues.
  • After surviving the horrors of the Russian occupation, the residents of Bucha, Ukraine, are rebuilding their city from the rubble. A newly married couple, a schoolgirl, a city official, and an elderly housewife have all endured the painful experiences of war, yet they manage to hold onto hope and solidarity. But how do you rebuild in the wake of growing trauma, especially with war still raging in your country? As time goes on and hopes for a peaceful life fade, they must grapple with mounting tensions within their communities.
  • 800.000 children live on the streets in Bolivia, and their lives are shaped by a relentless cycle of limited freedoms, systemic inequality, poverty, and violence. This deeply human narrative unveils the hidden world of a generation struggling
    against the odds, caught between childhood dreams and the unforgiving demands of survival.
Want to help us in our mission?
Support usPartner

Check out our other Docuseries