ARTE Distribution

Dominating the Romanian Carpathians, Bran Castle stands guard over a land of legends. Associated with the most famous of vampires, Dracula, it attracts crowds in search of artificial thrills. But in the dark woods surrounding the fortress, other wild creatures lurk, far more real than the old count... Bears, lynx and wolves have made these ancient forests their main refuge in Europe. In the shadow of the castle, between flourishing tourism and the need for preservation, a new cohabitation between humans and beasts is taking shape.

In a garrigue bathed in sunshine, the Gardon shapes a wild landscape where life adapts to its whims. 2,000 years ago, the Romans defied this indomitable river by building the Pont du Gard, a veritable masterpiece of engineering. A symbol of human mastery over nature, the edifice has nevertheless blended into its surroundings over time. Little by little, plants and animals have colonized its stones, transforming this ancient monument into an incredible refuge for Mediterranean biodiversity.

Perched on the heights of Alsace since the XIIᵉ century, Haut-Koenigsbourg castle has witnessed the power struggles that have shaped the region. But its history is not limited to human rivalries: by modifying the landscape, its builders also transformed the surrounding flora and fauna. Forests, meadows and rivers have evolved, impacting emblematic species such as the white stork, the wildcat and the European hamster. Today, visited by thousands of tourists, the château stands helplessly by, witnessing the growing rift between man and his environment...

Majestic and timeless, Mont Blanc is much more than just a summit. The cradle of mountaineering, it first saw science guide the first ascents, before becoming the Mecca of high-altitude sports. But Mont Blanc is first and foremost a living, natural heritage, concentrating all the biodiversity of the Alpine massifs. Today, global warming is jeopardizing the snows that were once thought to be eternal, and with them the harmony between man and mountain.

In the heart of the Isle of Mull, battered by winds and sea spray, Duart Castle dominates a wild landscape. Witness to clan conflicts and Scottish destinies, the proud Highland stronghold now seems eclipsed by another history: that of the beasts. Eagles, otters and deer now attract visitors who come to capture the image of unspoilt nature. This fascination with the wild is gradually redrawing the fragile balance between human and animal heritage. Can the Isle of Mull preserve this cohabitation without one taking precedence over the other?

In the American West, the Grand Canyon, carved out by the waters of the Colorado River over 445 kilometers, is one of the most impressive natural sites on the planet. Protected by a national park since 1919, it is home to an astonishing biodiversity living in a mineral environment with inhospitable conditions.

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. De l’Arctique à la Namibie, du Costa Rica aux Etats-Unis, du Canada au Mexique, de la France à l’Inde, ce voyage visuel prouve que le poil est une invention géniale du vivant : bouclier thermique, arme de chasse ou camouflage, il a façonné la vie animale sur Terre.

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.

The struggle for survival is not always fought with teeth or claws.Hair can intimidate, deceive, protect or warn — sometimes preventing conflict before it begins. From gorillas to decorator crabs, tarantulas to spiny rats, the art of keeping danger at bay sometimes comes down to a single filament.

The struggle for survival is not always fought with teeth or claws.Hair can intimidate, deceive, protect or warn — sometimes preventing conflict before it begins. From gorillas to decorator crabs, tarantulas to spiny rats, the art of keeping danger at bay sometimes comes down to a single filament.

Survival does not always rely on powerful jaws or speed. Recent research reveals the surprising role of hair in feeding strategies. From Yucatán lagoons to Pacific depths, from French meadows to Indian forests, whales, manatees, bumblebees and yeti crabs use hair as a key tool in their search for food.

Our desire to celebrate is often linked to our relationship with the cosmos and nature. Since time immemorial, the key moments of the agricultural year have been celebrated, just as those of the lunar or solar calendar. People celebrate to implore and thank Nature, to celebrate fertility, the return of the stars, life, and thus ward off death. These are the festivals of sowing, the solstices, and the harvests…