ARTE Distribution

If light could talk, what would it tell us?

From the Big Bang to the emergence of life, this poetic and scientific series explores, through never-before-seen images created by artist Roman Hill, the forms and movements of the entities in our universe, from the Dark Age to planet Earth. Created by screenwriter Thomas Cadène, astrophysicist David Elbaz, and journalist Corentin Duval, this eight-episode series explores the genesis of the Universe.

What is hair really for? From ants to polar bears, from crabs to whales, hair — fur, bristles or baleen — is almost everywhere in the animal kingdom. A masterpiece of natural engineering, scientists reveal the hidden powers of fur and hair. A journey across the animal world to uncover how this essential feature helps animals survive, adapt and thrive.

ALL ABOUT FUR is a natural historical journey exploring the extraordinary diversity of animal hair and its often overlooked functions, across the wild landscapes of the animal kingdom worldwide. This documentary series examines the role of hair through three fundamental challenges of life: facing the climate, feeding, and defending. From Antarctica to Namibia, Costa Rica, the U.S., Canada, Mexico, France, all the way to India, this visual journey is proof that fur is one of nature’s most ingenious inventions: whether serving as a thermal shield, a hunting tool, or camouflage, it has shaped animal life on Earth.

First there was Big Tobacco, now it’s time for Big Food. The first lawsuits are being filed. Children are at the heart of the matter since it has been revealed that the junk food industry targeted them all over the world with dangerously sophisticated marketing methods.

After The Great Greek Myths, The Iliad and The Odyssey, and The Viking Myths, get ready to dive into the fascinating world of ancient Egypt and the secrets of the gods who shaped its mythology.

The Egyptian civilization, both fascinating and millennial, is one of the richest and most mysterious civilizations in the world. It survived for twice as long as the current Western Christian civilization. It was built around a constellation of gods and goddesses. Between ancient papyri, betrayals and secret powers, Egyptian mythology reveals a spiritual world where each deity, protagonist of the greatest legends of our culture, embodied a facet of life and nature. A journey into the heart of the invisible and the sacred, where beliefs and art collide.

The Dark Side of Cruising reveals what is really going on in the cruise industry, a booming sector whose image of luxury and escapism hides a much darker reality: that of massive pollution, labor exploitation, corruption, privatization of public land and the destruction of marine ecosystems. A two-part, 45-minute investigation into this secretive and extremely powerful industry, which welcomes 30 million passengers each year and generates $75 billion in revenue.

An underwater jewel stretches along northeast Australia. The Great Barrier Reef. Nestled within a maze of mangroves, islands and reefs, it houses some of the planet’s richest and most diverse forms of marine life. Each creature plays its part while sharks, saltwater crocodiles, snakes and jellyfish keep watch.  They are the silent guardians of a balance which is as beautiful as it is fragile. From the top of the food chain these predators conduct the orchestra of life.  But their power can’t protect them in a faltering world. An insidious threat rumbles; the climate compass is going off course. Wild lands are crumbling, gradually succumbing to human attacks. Boundaries blur, and the two worlds collide… and sometimes clash. The rules are being rewritten to the rhythm of this new disorder. But researchers know that ecosystems are unstable without their predators. So how can we coexist with them? How can we create a shared life, where everyone still has their place?

The Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, is home to some of the most breathtaking life forms on the planet. Ravaged by the effects of climate change, some believe all hope is lost. Yet others, driven by courage and determination, are working tirelessly to find ingenious and practical solutions. This is the case for marine biologist Richard Fitzpatrick and his teams, who are dedicated to saving the Great Barrier Reef by implementing innovative scientific protocols to restore damaged coral. Stepping out of their labs, these field scientists show what imagination, science, and action can achieve.

What is the price of sugar, this delicious poison? WIth sequences set in the present day, this historical investigation reveals a global system still fueled by the exploitation of land and people that is rooted in its original sin: slavery.

What is the price of sugar? How much does the fleeting pleasure of this delicious but useless poison really cost? It's a global addiction that has been fueled by the exploitation of land and people for over five centuries. Sugar was the basis of a civilization which, from the transatlantic slave trade to modern forms of exploitation, has never ceased to brutalize labor in all its forms, and to perpetuate immense lies in order to guarantee the prosperity of its industry. The whole world has been shaped by sugar. From Brazil to Réunion, from Europe to South Africa and from India to the Dominican Republic, its production has laid the foundations for the modern capitalist system, devastated the environment, and led to massive population movements. As the curse of sugar continues to haunt certain parts of the world, we set off to these exploited lands to discover a history of which we are all heirs.

Seeds: Nature's Superheroes takes us on a fascinating journey into the heart of the plant world, where it all begins… with just one little seed. Like tiny exploration pods, these intrepid travelers use spectacular strategies to conquer new territories and ensure the survival of their species. 

Set against breathtaking landscapes—from Europe to Africa, all the way to Australia, South America, and the Great Plains of the United States—the documentary follows their journey, from the moment they detach from their parent plant to their often unpredictable destination. Led by a team of international scientists who study them and attempt to unravel their mysteries, this film reveals the invisible mechanisms of life: seeds which are carried by the wind, transported by water, scattered or crushed by animals, or even propelled by exploding fruits, are nature’s superheroes.

Deep within Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a secret buried for millennia is coming to light. Trees frozen like statues, blood-red water laced with poison… What is this strange phenomenon threatening one of the planet’s last wild paradises?

A team of scientists investigates and uncovers a disturbing truth: the Delta could cease to exist, a victim of the very forces that shaped it. Using cutting-edge technology, they attempt to anticipate the inevitable and protect the local wildlife and communities. A race against time is on to save this fragile gem before it vanishes forever.

There are nearly four chickens for every one of us on the planet. But the world’s most recognizable bird is also the most mysterious one. Cluck! Chickens Exposed reveals chickens are capable of remarkable intelligence, have super sensory powers and create drama that rivals the most compelling reality shows.

A flock of memorable characters reveals the physiological prowess of everyday chickens, from amazing vision that enables them to find food and spot predators, to dramatic fights they engage in to rule the roost. Meanwhile, scientists in Canada use AI to analyze chicken “language” and understand what the birds are talking about, German researchers use mirrors to demonstrate chickens exhibit signs of self-awareness and a British paleontologist tackles the age-old riddle, “What came first, the chicken or the egg?” The film is an entertaining romp through Chickenland, combining breathtaking cinematography, innovative filmmaking techniques and creative storytelling.

He is the complete opposite of African American actors who have become icons of American identity—successful stand-up comedians or action heroes. From the very beginning, Samuel L. Jackson has offered something different. As the embodiment of Black America—in its violence and on its fringes—he carries the essence of the ghetto, the streets, and the struggle.

Jackson first struggled with addiction before finding his true calling. A survivor of the violent fight against segregation and his own demons, this Tennessee native owes his redemption to cinema and his work ethics. Over the course of a half-century-long career, Samuel L. Jackson has carved out a unique professional path, straddling the line between radicalism and pop culture. From Spike Lee’s socially engaged films to the blockbuster sagas of Star Wars and Marvel, he embodies a rare balance in Hollywood: that of an actor who embraces all genres without ever forgetting where he comes from.

Rough Trade is the story of a British record label that changed the course of music history. It opened in London in 1976, right in the middle of the punk movement. It went on to become the first independent label, with The Smiths as its first major signing, and went on to release albums by Pulp, The Strokes, and The Libertines, among others.

How did Rough Trade go from being a small shop to the equivalent of a major label? How did it propel an entire scene to the top, far from the prevailing industry standards, driven primarily by a desire to take the leap, the so-called “Do It Yourself!” spirit, independence, and a sense of community? By retracing its decisive influence, this film immerses us in the context that saw, in the late 1970s, a few pioneers pave the way for the meteoric rise of independent labels. Featuring special appearances by its founders, Geoff Travis and Jeannette Lee, as well as Johnny Marr of The Smiths, Pete Doherty from The Libertines, and Jarvis Cocker from Pulp.