Fast Forward, the new Rakuten TV original series will arrive this December

BritFlix Buzz, Film

Fast Forward, the new Rakuten TV original series will arrive on December 8th exclusively on Rakuten TV, one of the leading Video-On-Demand platforms in Europe. Produced by VICE Media Group, a global multi-platform media company – in partnership with the DigitalBits Foundation; an organisation supporting the innovation and adoption of the blockchain and cryptocurrencies – the 5 episode series will present a unique trip around the world to discover how emerging technological advances will affect our daily lives in the future.

Guided by Nelufar Hedayat, an award-winning British journalist and television host, we will interview the most prestigious experts in their fields as we travel all over Europe to visit the companies that are at the forefront of these technological revolutions. Engineer Greg Brittles from Tokamak Energy will demonstrate how nuclear fusion works and how it could become the future of energy. Social media star and inspirational speaker Tilly Lockey will bring us to her home and show us how powered bionic arms changed her life. Space environmentalist Moriba Jah will question our behaviour in lower earth orbit as we discover space debris removal technology. Ira van Eelen will dare us to imagine the idea of eating real meat without actually needing to slaughter an animal.

Lastly, we will get to know DigitalBits, an open-source blockchain where brands are now advancing into the Web 3.0, through their Managing Director, Daniele Mensi and the Founder Al Burgio, and meet their world-famous ambassador Francesco Totti.

While being scientifically rigorous and informative, Fast Forward will also make complex issues accessible and entertaining to a wide audience by using creative animations and captivating archival footage. An equally fun and fascinating journey that will help us understand how these innovations are tackling the difficult challenges that humanity is facing today.

The result is a fun, fascinating, “snackable” series that will help the audience to better understand the world that lies ahead of us. From nuclear fusion to blockchain, passing through bionic bodies, space cleaners and lab-grown meat, the host interviews the scientists and experts but also wants to find a human connection with them, finding out what it is that drives them to pursue their goals and dreams.

THE HOST

Nelufar Hedayat has worked across the BBC, Channel 4, VICE and The Guardian covering breaking news, live events and in-depth investigations in some of the world’s most hostile environments. Having fled war-torn Afghanistan as a child herself, Nelufar’s work has often focused on cultural upheaval experienced by women, children and families in conflict-ridden societies. In the six years she worked for the BBC, Nelufar presented, co-produced and wrote documentaries for television, including Shot for Going to School, where she secured Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala’s first television interview. In 2014, Nelufar joined Channel 4’s flagship foreign affairs series, Unreported World, where she went on location in Karachi joining the health workers who risk their lives every day to vaccinate children against polio in Pakistan. The Taliban actively target and kill polio health workers for immunizing children. This was nominated for Best Investigation in the Asian Media Awards as well as earning Nelufar a nomination for Journalist of the Year.

Fast Forward is the latest exclusive original series by Rakuten TV produced by VICE Media Group. Fast Forward will be available for free on Rakuten TV in 42 European countries from December 8th.