Adventure is out there! An exciting new series on Link TV, Oceans 8 is an ongoing project from writer and adventurer Jon Bowermaster in which he explores the world's oceans from the seat of a sea kayak. "Used as both transportation and as floating ambassadors, sea kayaks allow me and my teams - comprised of some of the world's best photographers, filmmakers, scientists and navigators - to reach corners of the world rarely seen," says Bowermaster. Watch the first episode, Birthplace of the Wind, and visit Bowermaster's blog for some added perspective.

If you've been following our Accountability page, you might know that June is Torture Awareness Month. Our latest special on human rights and torture is Blueprint for Accountability: Working the Dark Side.  MSNBC host Rachel Maddow launched Culture Project's "Blueprint for Accountability" series on May 31 with a gripping evening on accountability and the U.S. policy of torture in the "War on Terror."

In a multi-media production fusing live theater and journalism, Maddow was joined by Pulitzer-Prize winning author Ron Suskind, Vince Warren of the Center for Constitutional Rights, and Lt. General Ricardo Sanchez, who commanded U.S. troops in Iraq during 2003-2004. The evening, directed by Fisher Stevens, featured performances by Liev Schreiber, John Leguizamo, Noah Emmerich and Julianna Margulies.
 
At the event, Lt. General Sanchez generated breaking news when he called for a Truth Commission so we might fully understand the failure of the military and civilian command to honor the pledge of our constitution. Sanchez is the first major figure from the Iraq War to go on record to call for a Truth Commission, and stressed that the outcome must embrace a variety of solutions, including prosecution.
 
Working the Dark Side will be available online on Friday.

The conflict in Iran has brought media attention to a diverse group of young Iranians. As David Michaelis stated in his recent blog post, "Iran has gained a new face. Instead of relating to Ahmadinejad as the only face of Iran, we now see a multitude of younger people."

Link TV has been producing a series of documentaries to give Americans a unique glimpse into the lives of ordinary Iranians, called Bridge to Iran.  Showcasing documentaries by contemporary independent Iranian filmmakers living and working in Iran, Bridge to Iran shatters preconceived notions about a nation and culture that most Americans know little about and have never experienced firsthand.

Tonight marks the premiere of a new installment of the series: Cinema Encounters in Tehran. An original production of Link TV, the film follows Americans Yoni Brook and Musa Syeed as they travel to Iran for the 2007 Verite Film Festival, where they meet two young filmmakers Atefeh and Abbas. The film documents their efforts to overcome language and cultural barriers and use cinematic language and friendship to create a movie.  In the end they find that the friendship and understanding they develop in a short time transcends the barriers of the national and political divisions that separates them.

Watch Online!

Jamal Dajani, Senior Director of Middle Eastern Programming at Link TV and producer of Mosaic, recently appeared on CBS to discuss the results and and unrest in Tehran following the re-election of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

For more information about the election, watch Global Pulse's report on the Iranian media's coverage of the candidates, and learn about Saudi Arabia's role via Mosaic Intelligence Report.

June is Torture Awareness Month. Folks across America will be hosting house party screenings of Link TV's compelling new 30-minute documentary Torture on Trial, and use the screening to inspire their guests to send an email to President Obama and participate in our national call-in week to the White House, June 22 - 26. Join us with your own house party!