hard earned respect... hard earned future... a real look at the american dream hard earned only on al jazeera america this is al jazeera hello. this is the news hour live from london. at least 63 civilians are killed by air strikes in syria. russian planes are to blame. thousands of anti-government protesters behave freezing temperatures in moldova to command early elections. digging themselves out, millions of americans start digging themselves out after a blizzard.

>> reporter: there's an amassive game happening now and i will have the latest for you. also ahead novak djokovic wins his match in the australian opeopen we begin with developments in syria where it is estimated at least 100 civilians have been killed in the eastern region in the past two days. the u.k. based organization for human rights say at least 63 people were killed on saturday alone. it is said russian air strikes are to blame. it is understood they've helped

regain area in lak. the diplomatic front a question mark hung over the meeting on monday. the first on the strikes which gerald tan. >> reporter: they gather to search for bodies to cyst through their belongings and what's left of their homes. villagers here in the countryside say air strikes on saturday killed relatives and friends just organise citizens. this man could only muster a prayer calming on god to help his-- calling on god to help his people. russian groups say russian jets are responsible for the strikes and that this isn't the first time. dozens of civilians are said to have died in a day of bombing. russia launched its military operation in september at the request of syria's president

bashar al-assad. since then russian flown an estimated 570,000 missions. more than a thousand civilians have lost their lives in that time. moscow insists that its campaign is aimed at i.s.i.l. and other armed grouchlts it has rejected claims that air-- groups. it has rejected claims that they are targeting civilians. >> translation: there is not a single army in the world that would talk about its operation so thoughly as syria has. it is an operation against international terrorism in this region. >> reporter: i.s.i.l. controls most of the province. it has kept the remaining pockets of government-held areas there under siege for the past year. this week it has been on a push

to capture those areas. the russians say the intensified bombardments are to push the attacks by i.s.i.l. the people say it has all been at their expense there is still doubt whether indirect talks between the syrian regime and the opposition plan for this week will take place. >> reporter: these talks with always due to start on monday. i think it's pretty certain that's not going to happen. the best we can get on monday is a news conference with the u.n. envoy and the fact that he could therefore confirm that he has finally sent out the invitations. the u.s. secretary of state has been in riyadh meeting his saudi counterpart. saudi arabia was drawing up a list of option but moscow had a

problem with that list. mr kerry has been speaking by telephone to his russian counterpart. it will be up to the opposition to decide whether to attend on the basis of the list that has been agreed by the international community. i know they will come under a great deal of pressure because i think they will be told that if the syrian government is there and you're not there, it will look like the opposition is the one that doesn't want peace. i think some sort of talks will take place later in the week. i'm told initially those will be so-called proximity talks. the opposition in one room and the syrian government in the other with the u.n. envoy shuffling between the two. i'm told they will be looking at possible ceasefires in syria and trying to alleviate the humanitarian situation and particularly of those areas under siege the foreign ministry has summon

summoned who said militias should leave the fight against i.s.i.l. to the iraqi army. iraq's foreign ministry says the militias are fighting terrorism and are under the command of the armed forces. meanwhile at least 20 policemen have been killed by two i.s.i.l. car bombs in a village west of the iraqi city of ramadi. it hit the federal police. yearly i.s.i.l. killed 72 soldiers in three separate suicide attacks in ramadi. the iraqi arm says the latest fighting was in the last stronghold in that area. >> reporter: iraqi soldiers on the road to what they hope is the last remaining i.s.i.l. stronghold in ramadi. i.s.i.l. fighters have managed to slow the iraqi force' assault and the last 72 hours they've been battling to hold their

positions. there have been traps and used suicide car bombs against the iraqi security forces. heavy shelling and u.s. led air strikes cannot be used effectively here because syrians are trapped inside the neighborhood. children here mimic what they've aseen while others just wait >> translation: we asked the security forces to quickly remove iuds from central ramadi. we want to get rid of i.s.i.l. signs in the city and we want to return to our homes >> reporter: some say the conditions are so dire that they just want to leave. others are fed up, but getting back home will be a long and difficult process. police say they need to nount patrols and reopen police stations before people come back. but what will they be coming back to? bombed buildings and devastated infrastructure and this is before anybody has talked about

reconstruction yemeni journalists have been protesting in taiz demanding the release al jazeera journalist and his crew. al jazeera is demanding their immediate release thousands of people in morocco has protested planned cuts to the education budget. they are chanting "we are prepared to go to prison". they were relatively peaceful. many have rallied in the moldova capital. our correspondent is in the capital with the story. >> reporter: many people now believe an mafia is running their country. so they came onto the streets of

the capital despite the cold. >> translation: there is no democracy. there's one gang in power that stole our rights, well-being and money. >> reporter: opposition parties want the tycoons out and new elections. that's all they have in common. there's a pro-european faction while two other parties have a different foreign policy objective. >> translation: the position of my party is that we should have a closer strategic partnership with the russian federation. >> reporter: sunday's rally was a show of unity without party politics, just flags of the republic. the people on this stage come from very different backgrounds. they have very different political interests, but they stress that change in the country has to come from the people from here, not from moscow, brussels or washington.

after violence earlier this week police were a visible presence on sunday. protesters brought flowers, yet the opposition is now threatening a more active phase. acts of civil disobedience, highway blockades unless their demands to change are met there is much more to come for you on the al jazeera news hour. could this be the end of 600 years of heritage in hong kong. protests over government plans to demolish an historic part of the city. also this is what happens when hollywood comes knocking. a short film about a friendship gets a shock nomination at the oscars. details of a football match

coming up later in the program a huge clean up and rescue operation in underway in the eastern u.s. after the snow fall came to an end. new york and baltimore have lifted their travel bans. the heaviest fall was in west virginia where there was more than one metre in snow. >> reporter: the sun came out again and so did lots of people looking for help to dig their cars out the mountains of snow. >> anybody stock, anybody trying to get out, some people have patience and some people don't have patience, but when you go to a neighborhood you see admissibilities come outside clapping. >> reporter: new york city lifted a one-day ban on all vehicle traffic imposed so that thousands of workers could clear away a near record amount of snow. it is was the second largest

blizzard in last 75 years. >> the employee dpsh - plough can't plough a road. >> reporter: for some of the homeless, the city's designated shelters were not a haven >> i had to spend most of my time downstairs in the station >> reporter: more than 11,000 flights across the u.s. has been cancelled since friday. the train system remains closed until wednesday. >> i'm happy to report that there are to deaths in new jersey connected with this storm. >> reporter: but at least six people died from exposure to the cold or heart attacks as they shovelled snow. along the new jersey shore the

blizzard whipped up tides that flooded neighborhoods. many have to rebuild once more. despite the inveinous some people were still able to make the most of it. big cities snow emergencies are fodder for complaints, even that the preparations were inadequate or that the authorities pushed the panic button unnecessarily, but in this case the feeling is that they rose well to the occasion speaking to our correspondent who is on new york's snow covered streets, but the snow has largely melted. do you say things have reported largely to normal there? >> reporter: yes. from 33rd and 7th avenue in the heart of mid-town manhattan, we've been out here for nine hours now and just the change we've seen has really been

striking. it tells a story of how new york city is digging out after this huge storm. when we got here this side walk was covered in snow, piled high. all this area behind me totally blocked off to traffic. there was a travel ban, snow was piled high. as you can see things have returned to prech much back to normal here. as normal as you could expect after this historic storm. the subway system is back running almost at full strength, buses are back out on the streets, trains are starting to start up again bringing people into the city of new york. new yorkers are very resilient. they haven't seen anything like this for 150 years. 26 inches, almost two-thirds of a metre, but now new yorkers have started to get some semblance of order back to this city the area surround itting new

york and, of course, the other states that were hit by this blizza blizzard and we saw life grinding to a halt, how are people coping now? >> reporter: the scenes you see here are relative calm and getting back to normal. this storm went all over the north-east, over ten different states, at some times declared a state of emergency. there is still the metro here still closed. it could take a couple of days before it gets totally back running to normal. also it has meant that over 50,000 people without power, mostly in north carolina and some in neighboring new jersey.

both airports are closed. new york airports are open but i can tell you that there are still thousands of cancelled flights as they try to clear runways to get people out of here. all told more than 10,000 flight cancellations today, 38 flight cancellations and more than 30,000 delays. some airlines say they're going to start getting back to normal by later today. there are already airlines saying they're already cancelling flights on monday because it's a domino effect. tens of thousands of people affected trying to get out of the north-east region or get in here as well. a big problem for the airports and it is going to be going on for a couple of details until they can catch up. so lots of fallout from this storm thanks very much.

people in south korea are also feeling the freeze at the moment. the government has issued a cold weather warning for seoul for the first time in five years. temperatures have fallen to minus 18 degrees celsius in the capital. sub-tropical hong kong isn't immune to the cold snap either. people evidence been told not to go out. it is a warning many are ignoring. >> reporter: in the run up to this extreme weather people here in hong kong have been getting to grips with new terminology, polar vortex which takes some saying here which is a semi-topical climate. this is a blast of cold air that has been blasted south across china reaching as far as the south china coast. normally here it never gets below 9 or 10 centigrade during the coldest days. but temperatures are a few

degrees above freezing. here on the highest peak it has been freezing. the authorities have put out extreme weather warnings telling people not to venture out. thousands of people have to places like here. many of them seeing frost for the very first time. what everybody wants to see, of course, is snow. it has only ever officially snowed here four times. the last time was 1975. people are hoping there will be a fifth snow flurry for hong kong greek riot police have blocked human rights activists from reaching the border with turkey. several hundred activist gathered at a village where some burned a european union flag. russia has closed its arctic border crossing with norway to block a group of refugees from returning. norway was returning some

refugees to russia because they had been issued russia documents. some 5,500 refugees have choven to take this route. portugal has gone to the poll to elect a new president. ten candidates are in the race. >> reporter: he is promising to do everything he can to ensure the current government stability if he is elected the new president. since the right politician is the clear favorite. opinion polls have suggested the political broadcaster will get more than the 50% needed to avoid a run off. >> translation: i'm calmly confident he said after voting, calmly confident. >> reporter: for many voters a clear result is the most important thing >> translation: i hope the next president contributes positively to democracy and i hope it is

someone that looks after us all not just certain people. >> translation: i hope things will get better so it will all move forward and there will be work for everyone. >> reporter: a low turn out could help one of the left of center candidates like this man for the second round next month. but he has recently earned a high profile endorsement, a special message from the special one. in his online video, the former chelsea manager, says he has the charisma to be president. one of the powers is the need to dispel crisis, and crisis is never far away. a minority socialist government has been carried ut on. the government is confident that brussels will approve its 2016 budget which aims to reduce the

deficit and increase public sector wages and pensions, but whoever becomes president, the argument over how quickly the country is can leave austerity behind is sure to continue the country is warring factions missed a deadline to form a unity government on friday. the new regional divisions go against south sudan's constitution. >> ten states, the transition in constitution of south sudan system and the states, but the government is insisting that it should be the states. so i appeal to him to pursue these issues. he had not given any indication

that we will discuss it's a move designed to stop crime, but some say a weapons amnesty in parts of nigeria is not enough. in benue tribal actions have left many dead. the people want the government to do more. >> reporter: hundreds of illegally owned rifles, ingredient aids and home-made bombs surrendered to the police. fighting started here during last year's election. on and off tribal and ethnic tensions over landownership have plagued the state for years. many have acquired weapons to defend themselves. hundreds have been killed. the husband and son of this woman were shot and killed in separate politically motivated attacks. >> translation: when high husband was murdered i was in

the bedroom. i heard boom boom twice and when it went quiet i went out screaming. >> reporter: she says the amnesty has improved security. this man has handed over 84 rifles. >> translation: violence escalated because people were attacking communities, my community. so i was protecting my family. now i am protecting all people. >> reporter: many victims are worried that criminals are not being punished and will re-offend. many of the communities affected by violence here say the government needs to do more than the amnesty program. they say they need help dealing with the impact of crime >> this amnesty program, is not good. i think the best is to take them to court, jail them. >> reporter: the state government leaders defend the

amnesty >> the security council that give the money to have this amnesty, the states are there. we are working together, we are finding how we can make life more meaningful and better for our people. >> reporter: state government says the amnesty has reduced crime in the area by 70%. training and educational programs will be provided for anyone who is given a pardon. victims of crime say they should be given compensation so they can rebuild their lives the hong kong government is going ahead with the demolition of the last walled village left in an urban area. some homes have already been knocked down, but a group of villagers is refusing to leave demanding the 600-year-old site be protected. >> reporter: it's not often you see a low rise structure in the heart of hong kong.

this village is home to around 100 people. some have been here all their life >> translation: my father built this house all by himself so this is now 50 to 60 years old. >> reporter: he was born here as one of 15 household he still calls it home. his days are numbered because of government plans to demolish the site at the end of the month. >> translation: if the government was about the people, it wouldn't force us to give up our homes before we've been resettled. >> reporter: the village was originally built by indigenous people in the 16th century with the walls acting as defense against local pirates. three-quarters of the homes have already been demolished with plans to convert this site into private housing >> hong kong is under going a huge shortage of housing.

the new development will provide two tall apartment buildings for the market. it will make good use of the la land. >> reporter: while it is the history of this village that the residents are concerned about, they are concerned about where to go from here. some compensation has been offered, but not everyone is convinced it will be able to give them secure ultimately of a new area >> translation: rent is very expensive. you cannot do necessitying with this small money >> reporter: as well as residents there are small businesses, including this man. he has been running this store for 40 years. >> translation: the compensation the government offers is not enough to opening a new premise, let alone start a new business. i won't be able to run any business any more. >> reporter: a government

spokesman was not available for comment, but their message is clear. if they don't leave by the end of the month, they face criminal charges and hefty fines more to come for you on the news hour t europe bound, iran's leader cap -- capitals on the new ground. >> reporter: an experience to remember on the field. play offs may be heating up but the panthers are preparing for their game. .

welcome back. a look at the top stories. the u.k. based syrian organization for human rights say russian air strikes has killed 63 people, civilians. thousands of people on the streets demanding early

elections. protesters are unhappy about falling standards. they blame the government for failing to carry out reforms. a huge clean up and rescue operation is underway after snow from a blizzard finally stopped. new york and baltimore have lifted their travel bans. there are reports of more than one metre in snow. iran has announced that it will invest heavily to update the country's fleet the airplanes. the transport minister says 250 million dollars will be spent on the project in the next five years. a deal is expected to be signed for 114 new aircraft and they hope the first fleet will be ready by the end of march >> translation: iran sanctions not only harmed iranians in the last few years but those who had to pass through our region. all people in the region were harmed by the sanctions

the president meanwhile is heading to europe to meet a 120 strong delegation. it is his first overseas trip simpbs sanctions were lifted. -- since my guests, thank you for coming in. how important is his trip to europe and what is he hoping to gain from it? >> it is important because although the sanctions ended, there are some avenues to really open up for the country. it is showing that iran is putting the political clout behind getting these contracts signed on the dotted line european banks are still worried, why is that and how difficult could that make this new opening for iran?

how difficult would it be? >> the european banks are worried because there's a lot of fines imposed from the regulators. the americans have control to a large degree of international finance and the americans have come down hard on banks. so from what-- they want to avoid fines >> yes, but the from the iranians i speak to and the americans, the banks will be the last to open up to iran. the companies will gofers and the banks will follow how difficult does that make it for western companies trying to do business in iran if it's difficult to transfer money, move money around? >> it is next to impossible unless the banks buy in. so they will have to be political pressure put onto the banks it hasn't stopped businesses

going in. we see car makers, manufacturers, italian and french wanting to capitalise on the iranian consumer, 18 million of them. >> moas have been signed. they understand that it's first move advantage. the banks are going to have to fall in place before these contracts are properly signed so it could be a while before iran gets the economic benefits of these deal? >> i understand the pressure is going to mount in a couple of weeks and the banks will fall into place nothing much will change with respect to u.s. companies because nonnuclear sanctions will remain in place. >> exactly. the business community and the political class in america is much more sceptical about iran. europe has always been iran's biggest customer, particularly in oil and gas. this is about reviving that

relationship, that business relationship are companies going to be wary at the same time, you have the uncertainty in the region and iran is a regional player but also there's concern about the role that it's playing in the region, you have the prospect of further sanctions down the line and i guess internal problems, corruption, bureaucracy? >> yes. at the moment there are so many ancillary benefits to maintaining the deal, maintaining the sanctions relief and maintaining the curbs on the nuclear program. there's syria, there's instability across the middle east, which a lot of policy makers in the states believe iran can at least be helpful in alleviating, and as far as bureaucracy goes and as far as corruption goes, iran has huge bureaucratic issues and

according to transparency international, it is a corrupt place. i don't think it's going to be a deal breaker thank you very much. >> no problem france's president has arrived in the indian capital. he is visiting india for three days where me is expected to announce a number of joint projects. it was thought that visit would coincide with the announcement of the deal to buy french fighters jets, but negotiations were still ongoing. over night curfews remain in place in tunisia after days of unrest. the worst seen since the 2011 revoluti revolution. many have taken to the streets angry at the continued high rate of unemployment. while many are frustrated many are taking a more practical approach. >> reporter: this is how this man starts his day. he collects milk from nearby farms and urges his workers to

hurry up. after a relentless job hunt, he who graduated with a master's degree in management, abandoned hopes for working for a government-owned company. he received funding and training in entrepreneurship from an international aid agency. with just about enough to start his business, he has become a cheese maker. >> translation: this is a dream come true. i was born in a family of farmers. this area is the top producers refuse milk here. one day i said if milk i can start making cheese and i can expand. >> reporter: his family are around him. this is the launch day. as soon as the work is finished, he joins those who helped him start his business. these are activists from the nearby city of gega. they were active during the 2010

up rising. they want to help build a new tunisia >> translation: our goal is to be able to lead the country in the future. we have democracy but we want to see young people in the high positions in the government. >> reporter: they're all active in a local young leaders council, ngos that are growing fast in tunisia and whose influence is spreading >> translation: we are training young people to start their own businesses so we develop poor areas instead of waiting for the government to help us we chose action. we were not going to spend the rest of our lives waiting for promise. >> reporter: a long way lies ahead for these young activists, but they remain determined to offer hope to those frustrated over the lack of opportunities in tunisia. >> reporter: tunisians expect tough years ahead amid declining

state rev news and widening budget deficits. ma egypt's president has addressed the nation after the five year anniversary of mass protests that saw the overthrow of the former president. he says his government is doing all it can to get the country back on its feet. >> translation: we're moving ahead on all fronts, domestic and international, launching and executing development and productivity projects to meet the needs of youth. we are developing prick public utilities and establish security and order month will be a public holiday in egypt to mark the anniversary but not everyone is

in the mood to celebrate. >> reporter: the army is on the streets. there is a stepped up security presence ahead of the fifth anniversary of egypt's revolution. the authorities say they will not allow protests. more activists have been jailed. thousands homes have been searched. the crackdown is being carried out in the name of security. human rights groups say it's part of the a campaign to silence the opposition >> five years after the uprising, hope has given way to total repression. the egyptian authorities are terrified of another uprising. the arrest of activists that we've seen recently are warning shots. >> reporter: it has been five years since weeks of protests unseated the president who kept an iron grip on power for three decades. this was the mood when he announced he was stepping down. the years that followed brought

little change. soon the space that had been the epicenter of revolt was no longer a place where egyptians came together and celebrated. the square became a place where opposing sides raised their grievances. at first the chant called for the removal of the man, having highjacked the revolution and failing to bring about democratic peace. elections were held. the muslim brotherhood's candidate became the first elected head of state. it didn't take long for protesters to return to the streets. his opponent said he was pursuing a religious agenda. calls for him to step down grew louders. the military stepped in.

it dissolved the government and arrested leaders. a civilian interim president was installed. the military coup didn't bring about peace. those who had defended what they believed was a legitimate elected government were violently suppressed. those who had backed the military action gathered on the third anniversary of the revolution to rurnlg the man behind it to run for president. he did. his supporters say he saved the national. his opponents accuse of him authoritarian resume. >> you have forces who have tried to hijack the revolution. you have major idea logical and social cleavages in society. you have an islamist national divide. >> reporter: hundreds of been killed and journalists locked up. for them mubarak's security

state is back dezousa has won the election in portugal. it is mostly a ceremonial role. the country has been hoping for more political stability after two months of shaky alliance in the house. among the block busters competing for the oscars next month, a short film from coso vshgs o. shock is the film. it is about friendship during conflict it is it is the country's first oscar nomination. >> reporter: the moment the oscars nomination was confirmed, cheers, tears and celebrations here and recognition of an

extraordinary story. in fact, the film's two 13-year-old stars are being recognised everywhere at the moment. >> translation: everyone here knows about the nomination. when i go to a shop people say to me they are proud of us. >> reporter: it is the true story of two boys and a friendship pushed to the limit during the conflict in 1998 >> i had some difficulties with my part because i haven't lived through the war. with the help of my parents and the crew who told me what happened it got easier. >> reporter: the producer remembers the war very well and the film reflects his experiences of how ail bania ba alban albanian speakers felt. >> translation: i was pulled over the a policeman who spoke to me to speak serbian.

that personal experience is in the film. >> reporter: just making the plm has been a major achievement. being nominated is an inspiration to other film makers. >> translation: this is the first time that kosovo was nominated. it might increase interest in making more movies on kosovo. >> reporter: it is just 21 minutes long but win or lose next month, this short film looks set to have a long lasting impact stay with us on the news hour. south african cricket rising star steals the show. e show.

welcome back. all your sport now in doha. >> reporter: thank you very much. sports in the u.s. has been hit hard by the snow storm. the teams to be contesting super bowl 50 are going ahead. the championship sees a game on the go right now. the first touch down to put the home side out to an early seven nothing lead. jackson responded with a touch down. denver have gone further ahead. the score is 17 to 9.

the panthers will defend the title. they're warm favorites by virtue of their record where they have won 15 games and lost just once. that's the best record out of all the remaining sides in the play offs. to football now. champions chelsea have spoiled the party to the hopefuls arsenal. a straight red for fouling costa. absolutely furious. the chelsea made it count. they proved to be the winner. >> it was, of course, frustrating, but it is a decision we had to get on the chin and get on with our job. that's what we did. i think the team after that focused, was resilient.

despite the disappointing result we should even more believe in ourselves today after the game. >> reporter: arsenal's won means they are behind manchester city. swan sea beat every tonne-- everton. a disappointing days for the two madrid teams. barcelona is still continuing to lead the spot. valencia were beaten. defending champion novak djokovic says he suffered a brain freeze in the australian

open. he was chasing a six title. he confirmed his place in the quarter finals. >> reporter: novak djokovic has looked unstoppable so far this season, but up against a determined opponent the champion appeared to have met his match. the five-time champion persevered through four hours and 32 minutes to reach the quarter finals. >> i was obviously pleased to win the match. the last point counts, but in terms of the performance itself, i haven't done well at all. >> reporter: no such problems for roger federer. the four time champion beat his opponent in straight sets.

with 21 grand slams to her name serena williams just three short of the record held by margaret court. as the australian tennis legend watched the world's number one from the stands, she took a step closer to slam no.22. williams was rarely troubled in her straight sets victory over her component as she booked her place in the quarter finals in just 55 minutes giving her the rest of the day to herself, perhaps not quite what she had plann planned >> i haven't been doing anything. it has been quite of sad and i've been alone, kind of boring. >> reporter: what have you learned about yourself that you didn't know two weeks ago? >> i think i hate being by myself. >> reporter: at least she will be reunited with old component.

the fifth seed had to battle. her 21 aces helped clinch the victory, but she feels it was contentious call. >> reporter: the fourth test against england. ripping through their line-up on day three. 20-year-old fast bowler best figures of 7 for 112. england were bowled out. they have a 175 lead. three players could soon become the third fourth.

the american won the abu dhabi final round. this is one on the 8th. there was a hold back by a late surge from wurld number 3 who chipped in for a bird birdie. a final hole here, fourth title in nine months and it will move him up to fourth in the world rankings. >> it was a bit stressful at times. i was playing well at times. we had a good time. it is nice to be on top. >> reporter: on the latest from the motor sport. the rally of mont car low--

monte carlo. there was one with a broken gearbox. no risk was taken. the champion clinched the rally by almost two minutes. a 36 victory, lindsay vonn has been at it again. she completed the double on sunday with victory. sunday's win was her 11th and broke the records too. that's your sport for now thank you very much. for nearly 40 years the sundance film festival has showcased independent film making from around the world. it is usually associate with quirky off beat movie, but one genre always pulls in a loyal following. rob ren aldz has been taking a

journey into the dark signs-- reynolds. >> reporter: horror movies. this could be a cult classic and we want to be here first >> reporter: these people lined up late at night to see the film the greasy strangler. >> it is a mixture of sweetness and tenderness and some sort of depraved weirdness. >> reporter: another is back with a feature 31 about workers kidnapped on hall wean night-- halloween night. >> for 12 hours it is a fight to the death against this seemingly endless stream of maniacs. >> reporter: this is under the is thatted owe, a film about a young mother slowly going mad

during the war. she is convinced there is an evil spirit in her apartment. >> everybody culture has their versions of horror myths. >> reporter: they're as old as film itself and throughout the decades, an assortment of monsters have become stars of the genre. besides frightening generations of movie goers, the horror genre is a money maker. >> horror movies are always a guaranteed profit because the fans are so dedicated. they rush out opening weekends. >> reporter: the blair witch project which premiered in 1999 went on to become the miest grossing film of all time. even for serious cinema fans

there's nothing quick like the pleasure of sitting in a theater and getting scared out of your wits. films often reveal undercurrents in society >> coming out of what we have seen in the news from mass shootings to police brutality this feeds the imation of-- imagination of film makers. >> reporter: midnight after midnight the sundance features creep on with film makers hope they will get a blood-curdling scream there's nothing scary about our website, aljazeera.com is where you need to go for comment, analysis and video on demand. it's all right there. that's it for the news hour but i will be back with a full bulletin of news after a very

short break. stay with us. >> we tend to band together, so we have a voice. >> we're just surviving. it's really hard.

>> coming up tonight, we'll have the latest... >> does the government give you refugee status? >> they've marched to the border. >> thousands have taken to the streets here in protest. >> this is where gangs bury their members. >> they're tracking climate change.

russian air strikes are blamed for killing dozens of civilians in t civilians in a syrian city. you're watching al jazeera live from london. also coming up thousands of anti-government protesters brave freezing temperatures in moldova to demand early elections. yemeni journalists demand the release of al jazeera reporter. could this be the end of 600 years of heri.