The BBC is launching a two-part virtual reality news documentary series exploring the water politics of the river Nile.
Damming the Nile has been produced by BBC VR Hub and BBC News and is available through the Oculus Gear VR store.
Viewers are taken on a fascinating journey down the famous river, taking in its beautiful sights and dramatic sounds as they travel through canyons and fly above waterfalls. But as BBC Africa Correspondent, Alastair Leithead, discovers it is also where the first war over water could be fought as a major new project – the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam – threatens to upset the balance of power between neighbours and rivals Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan.
“As a foreign correspondent, my job is to introduce people to new and fascinating places, challenge stereotypes and explain how countries are growing and changing,” said Leithead. “Virtual reality means films like Damming the Nile VR can actually take our audiences there so they can see it for themselves. Once you put on a headset and enter the virtual world, you come with us on assignment to Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt to explore their issues up close, and understand the politics of the Nile through a unique new perspective.”
It’s a chance to explore the cafés of Khartoum, hear ministers fighting their countries’ corners and explore ancient Sudanese pyramids and Egyptian temples from a hot air balloon.
While this is not the first time that the BBC has produced 360 degree news pieces, the new film is in full immersive VR, is stereoscopic and features fully spatialised audio. Damming the Nile VR also features music from The Nile Project, a collective of musicians from countries along the river, including songs from their new album.
The new app on the Oculus Gear VR store also signals the BBC’s commitment to the format.
