Orange Smarty

Love In Power

Duration: 1 x 52'

Play Trailer Play Screener Contact Sales

Michelle and Barack Obama; the biggest couple in politics. But how did they create such a flawless public image? This documentary aims to uncover the secrets of love in power.

No other political couple has attracted so much interest and empathy since John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy. President Barack and First Lady Michelle Obama are even more ubiquitous, more glamorous and more approachable than the Kennedys ever were. Every gossip column not only in the US but in the entire Western world has been fascinated with such questions as: did the dream-couple first kiss in an ice cream shop or in a dark movie theatre?

Love In Power takes stock of the rocket-like ascent of the Obamas not only in the White House, but also as a role model for millions of couples, who are only too willing to succumb to the magic of a presidential couple that seems to come out of a Hollywood script.

Yet beyond the spontaneous, affectionate relationship there is a political image-machine. At an early stage of the presidential race, spin doctors and campaign designers recognised what a secret weapon the couple ‘Michelle and Barack’ could be. Since then, they worked meticulously especially on Michelle. While at the beginning of the campaign she would talk very innocently and openly on tv shows about how her husband too would leave his socks around the house, and in the morning he too would be “snore-y and stinky”, in the course of the campaign Michelle’s commentary style was diverted more and more towards that of an adoring supportive wife.

Even her eyebrows were thinned, says the Pulitzer Prize-winning fashion critic Robin Givhan, so that Michelle would no longer look angry in the photos. Today the First Lady, Michelle Obama is first and foremost First Mom.

Love In Power describes the tightrope that the Obamas walk : a fine balance between being the couple whose genuine personalities have put a spell on people – and maintaining the image that has been carefully created by the omnipresent spin doctors. The campaign trail has continued relentlessly past the Inauguration: there has never been so much Love In Power.

For ARD

Also in this genre

Cleaning Britain's Greatest Treasures

This fascinating series follows the dedicated conservation cleaners who look after our national treasures. Including carriages from the Golden Age of Steam, Beatrix Potter’s lost treasures and a Constable painting.

2 x 52'

Child Of Mine

Filmed over a year, this impassioned documentary follows three brave couples who share their personal experiences of stillbirth.

1 x 72'

Deliveroo: How Do They Really Do It?

This film, goes inside Deliveroo and uncovers the secrets of this and other online food company's success. Exploring marketing innovations and talking with employees.

1 x 47'

Poz

This film offers a vivid testimony of a young person's HIV positive life. From diagnosis and self-acceptance to facing the dilemma of how to tell others.

1 X 52'

Stacey Dooley Investigates: Gypsy Kids In Crisis

Caught between anti-gypsy hostility, child protection services and growing up in struggling families, Stacey explores Hungary’s Roma gypsy kids.

1 x 44'

Retreat: Meditations From A Monastery

This Slow TV series immerses the viewer into the solitary and intriguing world of the Benedictine monks.

3 x 60'

How Not To Die

A series of short films which combine stand out medical advice with compelling stories of survival from a range of life threatening situations.

10 x 7'

Growing up Poor: Britain's Hidden Homeless Kids

Narrated by Sheridan Smith OBE and directed by BAFTA-winning director Jezza Neumann, this heartfelt film looks at children growing up and struggling with poverty, homelessness and overcrowding.

1 x 46'

Meghan & Harry: The New Revelations

Featuring exclusive interviews, this documentary explores the speculation contained in the recent book, 'Finding Freedom'

1 x 57'

Sheridan Smith: Becoming Mum

With unprecedented access to actress and singer Sheridan Smith, this intimate film follows her pregnancy and struggles with mental health.

1 x 52'

The Real Derry: Jamie-Lee O'Donnell

This insightful documentary follows Jamie-Lee O’Donnell (Derry Girls) as she documents the city’s complex past and explores with a new generation, what it’s like to grow up in Derry today.

1 x 52'

Michael Palin In North Korea

This incredible series grants Michael Palin unprecedented access to the reclusive country of North Korea.

2 x 45'

Children of Gaza

This award winning film is a shocking, touching and uniquely intimate reflection of three children living in the remnants of the demolished Gaza strip.

1 x 48'

Stacey Dooley: Face to Face with The Bounty Hunters

Stacey joins the modern-day outlaw hunters and explores how this $14bn a year business is taking advantage of people’s desperation.

1 x 52'

Saying Goodbye

A heartfelt film that presents powerful testimonies from children who have experienced, or who are preparing for the death of a parent.

1 x 52'

Living With My Supersized Pets

This astonishing yet fun film explores the unusual relationship between extraordinary pets and their colourful owners.

1 x 60'

God’s Cadets

Filmed inside the closed community of the Officer's Training College this documentary explores an intriguingly eccentric British institution.

1 x 78'

Drunk and Disorderly at 30,000 Feet

This sobering yet entertaining film delves into the epidemic of airborne misbehaviour, where passengers lose control, turning flights into scenes of fights, threatening behaviour, and even impromptu antics.

1 x 52'

Growing Up Poor: Britain's Breadline Kids

Warm yet moving, this film looks at the realities of life in poverty as told through the eyes of the amazing children who live life on the breadline.

1 x 47'

SheFarms Down Under

This series discovers the untold stories of the gutsy women behind our food, and the vital and innovative role they play.

1 x 52'

No Place To Call Home

This film highlights the destruction that homelessness and eviction has on young lives and the impact it leaves on their future opportunities.

1 x 59'

Stacey and the Lockdown Babies

Stacey explores how the pandemic is transforming the way mothers, midwives and doctors deal with pregnancy and birth.

1 x 30'

Puppy Boom: Counting the Cost

In this Documentary, Vet Fabian Rivers exposes the illegal practices of breeders, and investigates how the popularity of certain dog breeds is causing an animal welfare crisis.

1 x 60'

Stacey Dooley: On The Psych Ward

Stacey experiences life on the frontline of mental health services, seeing just how tough it is to cope with young people struggling with mental health.

2 x 52'

Living with the Boss - Format

From large companies to boutique businesses, this format shakes up work places and showcases everyday life in an authentic and heartwarming way.

Series

Online And Lying

This quirky film investigates life online, not only looking at cyber crime but also why our virtual lives can be so different from our real ones.

1 x 47'

Britain's Covid Job Crisis

This film follows some of the hopeful and sometimes overqualified applicants who amongst nearly a thousand others have applied for a single job.

1 x 30'

Stacey Dooley Investigates: Sex In Strange Places

In this investigative series, Stacey meets young people in Turkey, Russia and Brazil who are dangerously trading on their sexuality and looks for a living.

3 x 60'

Growing Up Poor: Lads

A striking and sensitive documentary that follows three very different teenage boys growing up and struggling to survive on benefits.

1 x 57'

Dating's Dangerous Secrets

This insightful film investigates the safety of some of the world’s most popular dating apps, and asks whether providing background checks for all users might be one way to begin improving their safety.

1 x 41'

Katie Price: Trauma and Me

This candid film follows TV personality Katie Price as she explores the traumatic events that led to her spiralling mental health, and her subsequent battle to turn her life around.

1 x 52'

UFO Encounters

In this intriguing series, never before broadcast UFO and Alien stories are told directly by the people who experienced them.

2 x 60'

Paul O'Grady's Little Heroes

This warm and uplifting series is a celebration of the little heroes who come through the hospital doors of the iconic Great Ormond Street Hospital.

12 x 30'

Looking After Mum

The film follows unsung child heroes as they navigate the formative moments of their life alongside the emotional strain and anxiety of caring.

1 x 59'

Katie Price: Making Babies

This insightful two-part special follows the ups and downs, shock discoveries, and hormonal hurdles of media personality Katie Price's IVF journey - but at 45, the fertility odds are against her.

2 x 60'

*LATEST SERIES - Barkley Manor

Narrated by Martin Clunes, this fun series chronicles the life of a bustling daycare centre, where our furry friends are trained from pre-school through to graduation.

20x30'

Stacey Dooley: Stalkers

Stacey embeds herself within specialist police and victim support stalking units - each dedicated to stopping stalking from escalating into life changing violence, or even murder.

2 x 45'

Stacey's Lockdown Heroes

Stacey looks at how people are coping with lockdown and focusing on the unsung heroes who are putting their own needs to one side.

1 x 29'

Dating in the Metaverse

This eye-opening documentary goes to extremes as Tik Tok sensation Olivia Neill immerses herself in this strange new world to see if it’s possible to meet your match in virtual reality.

1 x 29'

Single Mums Do Opera

This funny film follows award-winning performance artist, Bryony Kimmings, as she creates an opera inspired by the lives of single mums.

1 x 60'

Stacey Dooley: The Young And Homeless

This sensitive observational film follows three teenagers as they navigate their way through the most defining part of life, without a home.

1 x 59'

Harry and Meghan: The Rise and Fall

Shot in a cinematic style, this definitive story of Harry and Meghan is an intimate tale with epic scope. A love story that changed the Royal Family forever and captured the imagination of the world.

3 x 60'

Stacey Dooley Investigates: Spy Cam Sex Criminals

Stacey investigates South Korea’s new sex crime 'Molka', where stolen secret camera footage is used as DIY porn.

1 x 52'

Dr Xand's Con or Cure - Format

This informative series tells cautionary tales by exposing poor practice and phony treatments, whilst raising red flags in the world of medicine.

Series

The World’s Worst Place To Be Disabled?

This insightful documentary visits Ghana and uncovers the horrifying reality of disabled people living there.

1 x 60'

Cheat Detectives: The Loyalty Test

This poignant film, complete with metahumans, investigates the TikTok influencers who are exposing cheaters online and the far-reaching consequences so-called ‘loyalty tests’ have for those involved.

1 x 30'

For Folks Sake

This charming ﬁlm inﬁltrates the endangered world of bells and beards to discover an unlikely saviour of this ancient masculine tradition.

1 x 52'

Poundland: How Do They Really Do It?

This insightful documentary uncovers how in a competitive budget store market, Poundland, a retailer to be reckoned with, is changing the rules of the game.

1 x 45'

Addicts' Symphony

Musicians blighted by addiction undertake a programme of therapy to overcome their demons and perform again.

1 x 67'

Bring Back the Bush: Where Did Our Pubic Hair Go?

As a reaction to the world of perfect bodies, this programme focuses on the women who want to put away the razors and be as nature intended.

1 x 52'

Protecting our Children

This probing film, with exclusive access, investigates how social workers make critical decisions about children’s lives and what happens when they step in too far, or too fast?

1 x 30'

Britain’s Refugee Children

This poignant film follows six young would-be asylum-seekers and reveals the huge challenges they face in being a young refugee today.

1 x 52'

Born On The Breadline

This insightful documentary reveals how many parents are now turning to baby banks to provide for their children.

1 x 30'

Stacey Dooley: Ready for War?

With unprecedented access to the British Army’s covert combat programme, this inspirational documentary follows Ukrainian civilians as they undertake intensive training to fight on the frontline.

1 x 52'

I’m Coming Out

This insightful documentary reveals how hard it still is to be gay in the UK, and coming out remains a moment of real anxiety and emotion.

1 x 60'

Our Soldiers: Return To Civvy Street

This insightful, humorous and quietly powerful documentary explores the lives of ex-military as they adjust to the civilian world.

1 x 55'

Big Zuu Goes to Mecca

In this entertaining film, Double BAFTA-winning Chef and rapper Big Zuu makes a pilgrimage to Mecca on a personal and spiritual journey to try and understand more about his faith.

1 x 60'

Sex, Me and Disability

This revealing film breaks the taboo of sex and disability, answering sensitive and provocative questions people are often too scared to ask.

1 x 48'

Fake Homeless: Who's Begging On The Streets?

Is Britain being duped by 'fake homeless', people posing as destitute to boost takings? Or is this a scare story to demonise the real homeless?

1 x 30'

Face The Consequences - Format

Young people making reckless lifestyle choices come face to face with someone whose life was destroyed by their behaviour.

Series

The Flower Barn - Format

A Heartfelt Format where each week our three florists create floral arrangements for an array of contributors that have a story to tell and want to say it with flowers.

Series

School Swap: Korea Style

Three British teenagers swap their teachers and parents for school life in South Korea, a country with one of the toughest education systems.

1 x 59'

Kashmir's Torture Trail

In the most militarised place on earth, one man is standing up to the armed might of the world’s largest democracy.

1 x 47'

Race To The Altar - Format

Couples are professionally and scientifically paired together before taking on the physical and mental challenge of travelling and racing to a dream wedding location.

Series

25 Siblings & Me

The incredible story of Oli, a young man with Asperger’s, who travels to the USA to meet his donor and join a mass sibling reunion.

1 x 60' / 1 x 90'

Inside the Bruderhof

This revealing documentary looks inside a hidden religious society where members live a unique way of life.

1 x 38'

Growing Up Poor: Girls

A striking and sensitive documentary that follows three very different teenage girls growing up and struggling to survive on benefits.

1 x 57'

National Trust: My Historic Home

This is the story of the present day custodians who get to be the kings and queens of their own castles and mansions.

1 x 47'

Jonnie's Blade Camp

In this inspirational and heart warming two-part series, Paralympian gold medallist, Jonnie Peacock, helps five young amputees to realise their sporting potential.

2 x 60'

Billion Dollar Boat

This jaw-dropping series is an entertaining look inside the world of mega yachts through exclusive access to the biggest boat ever built to transport them between the globe’s most luxurious spots.

6 x 52'

Inside The Steam Train Museum

Covering all things steam, engineering, and restoration, this behind the scenes documentary series gets to know the endearing characters that help keep a charity-run museum going.

8 x 45'

Mind Over Mountain

To show how exercise is key to helping prevent dementia, Richard Parks attempts to summit Mount Everest…without supplementary oxygen.

1 x 52'

Jean Vanloo - King of Clubs

This film tells the story of how the man who discovered Madonna died alone, broken and forgotten by all. A Belgian lifeguard who became a music producer - and revolutionized pop music.

1 x 52

Giving Life

From Shark Attack to Cancer, this dramatic series follows the stories of people whose lives have been changed by blood donation.

8 x 30'

My Gay Life

Filmed over 7 years, this unique documentary follows Billy from child through to teenager, as he deals with how his homosexuality is accepted.

1 x 52'

School of Hard Tricks

Disenfranchised youths, gain access to an urban Hogwarts where world class masters of magic bestow their secrets on the chosen few.

3 x 30' / 3 x 60'

Stutter School

This enlightening film uncovers the challenges of having a stutter - joining four individuals on a make-or-break course to find their voice.

1 x 60'

Stacey Dooley Investigates: Mums Selling Their Kids For Sex

Stacey Dooley returns to the Philippines to make a complex and chilling film about Filipino mothers who sexually abuse their children.

1 x 30'

Stacey Meets the IS Brides

With incredible access Stacey visits the Syrian camps of al-Hol and al-Roj and meets the western women and their children who have been left behind.

1 x 45'

Hannah Spearritt: Me & Breast Implants

S Club 7's Hannah Spearritt investigates Breast Implant Illness and asks important questions about Breast Augmentation surgery.

1 x 52'

Britain's Child Drug Runners

This film follows the children trapped in the dangerous world of drug running; exploring how they got into it and why they can’t get out.

1 x 48'

The Real Eastenders

This warm and moving film looks at traditional life in London's East End through the eyes of the children growing up on its council estates.

1 x 47'

Wildman To Ironman

This inspirational film details how Matt Pritchard went from a nobody, to a star, to a train-wreck, to an inspirational record-breaking athlete.

1 x 52'

A Believer's Guide To...

In this inspirational and heart-warming series, we explore what faith can teach us about life and what belief has to offer in times of change, challenge or crisis.

10 x 40'

Japan's Secret Shame

With unique access, this film follows the moving story of Shiori Ito who alleges she was raped by a well-known TV journalist.

1 x 52'

Born Homeless

This intimate film follows three mums, two of whom are heavily pregnant as they experience eviction and the reality of being homeless.

1 x 30'

Skin Deep

This series of six shorts, follows people with extreme skin issues as they dramatically remove the make-up they rely on everyday to face the world.

6 x 4'

Michael Palin in Nigeria

This gripping series follows broadcaster and writer Michael Palin's 1,300-mile journey across Nigeria - a country characterised by contrasting extremes but one of stunning natural beauty and welcoming people.

3 x 60'

Visible Farmer

This series of shorts discovers the untold stories of the gutsy women behind our food, and the vital and innovative role they play.

15 x 6-7'

Growing Up Jewish

With intimate access, this insightful film follows four diverse young Jewish people all celebrating their bar and bat mitzvahs in the same week.

1 x 45'

The Knowledge: The World’s Toughest Taxi Test

This fun, insightful and sometimes nerve wracking programme follows the wonderful characters taking one of the hardest exams in the world.

1 x 52'

Britain's Evicted Kids

This heartfelt film, captured through the eyes of a young girl, shows what it means for a child to be evicted from the only home they have ever known.

1 x 30'

Michael Palin: Into Iraq

Michael Palin embarks on an epic and revelatory journey through Iraq. An extraordinary view of a place scarred by conflict - this is the real Iraq.

3 x 52'

Rehab: Lives Addicted

This powerful documentary goes behind closed doors to see how people try to beat their addictions and start rebuilding their lives.

1 x 85'

Bound Together - Format

Five couples face the ultimate test in compatibility in this unique social experiment, which will determine if they should marry or separate.

Series

Ross Kemp: On the NHS Frontline

With unprecedented access to the NHS Intensive Care Units, Kemp follows frontline medical staff as they face the full force of the Covid-19 pandemic.

2 x 30'

Living with the Boss

From large companies to boutique businesses, this series shakes up work places and showcases everyday life in an authentic and heartwarming way.

8 x 44'

Nazanin

Nazanin, a powerful obs-doc with unprecedented access, that takes us deep into the heart of one of the biggest human and international stories of the past 6 years and contains a sinister warning from history.

1 x 52' / 72'

Heal Me In The Name Of Jesus

Faith healing is an industry where controversies between money making and miracles collide, this documentary investigates its claims.

1 x 24'/52'

This is Our Family

Filmed over three years, these intimate films fast-track four families' lives as they deal with births, deaths and marriages.

4 x 60'

Face The Consequences

Young people making reckless lifestyle choices come face to face with someone whose life was destroyed by their behaviour.

5 x 7'

School of Hard Tricks - Format

Disenfranchised youths, gain access to an urban Hogwarts where world class masters of sleight of hand bestow their secrets on the chosen few.

Series

The World's Greatest Escapes

This dramatic series follows the astonishing stories of people who underwent some of the most extraordinary journeys ever recorded - and lived to tell the tale.

6 x 60'

Emily Atack: Asking For It?

This frank documentary sees Emily Atack (Inbetweeners) explore her own experience of unwanted sexual attention and the lasting impact of these interactions, whilst also trying to understand what needs to change.

1 x 52'

Life On The Psych Ward

This programme is a moving account of people coming to terms with the trauma they have caused and hoping for another chance.

1 x 60'

Stacey Dooley Investigates: Kids Selling Drugs Online

In this probing documentary, Stacey explores the nefarious underworld of children selling drugs online.

1 x 30'

Prison, My Parents And Me

This sensitive documentary offers a humane and sensitive insight into the lives of prisoners’ children.

1 x 52'

Stutter School - Format

This enlightening film uncovers the challenges of having a stutter - joining four individuals on a make-or-break course to find their voice.

Single / Series

Prisoners' Wives: Visiting Hours

This documentary follows the women, who with resilience and humour battle to keep family life together while their partners are behind bars.

1 x 60'

Home Free

This uplifting and characterful documentary series follows a group of young people with learning disabilities as they leave home for the first time.

2 x 52'

Britain's America's Cup Challenge 4K

With spectacular 4K imagery, this thrilling documentary gets behind the scenes offering a portrayal of top athletes and engineering excellence.

1 x 52

How To Be A Young Billionaire

This insightful documentary follows three young entrepreneurs seeking fame and fortune in San Francisco’s technology gold rush.

1 x 52'

Kidnapped by my Father

This remarkable film follows the story of a mum reunited with one of her children three decades after they were kidnapped and taken to Yemen.

1 x 58'

Selling My Virginity

This eye-opening film goes deep into the world of Virginity Auctions, investigating the murky reality of ‘first-time sex for sale’.

1 x 30'

Beautiful Minds

Exploring the huge scientific field of Brain research via Savants whose genius-like talents offer a unique insight into the workings of the brain.

3 x 52'

Drag Queens of London

This eye-opening series strips back the jewels, make-up and glitter to reveal the electrifying stories behind fabulous drag artists as they strive to carve out lives in and out of drag.

10 x 45'

The Titan Sub Disaster: Minute by Minute

This high-end and captivating, two-part special examines, minute by minute, the race against time to try and save five people on their doomed dive to the wreck of the Titanic.

2 x 60'

Too Gay For God?

Openly gay member of the clergy Reverend Jide Macaulay, explores the place of the LGBTIQ+ community within the Christian faith.

1 x 39'

Farther And Sun, A Dyslexic Road Trip

Could dyslexia be a gift or a curse? Filmmaker, Richard Macer, goes on a road trip with his dyslexic son to find the answers.

1 x 59'

A Time to Die

With incredible access to Dignitas in Switzerland, this heart-felt documentary follows the personal stories of individuals and their families as they prepare to end their lives.

1 x 90'