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. 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.

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.

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.

Eight states, nearly four thousand kilometers long, from Chicago to Los Angeles. U.S. Route 66, established in 1926, connected the industrial East Coast to the shores of California. A black ribbon winding through plains, deserts, and cities.
But very quickly, U.S. Route 66 transcended its mere physical path. It became a work of fiction. John Steinbeck called it the Mother Road; Jack Kerouac turned it into a realm of wandering. We hear it being mentionned in the works of Nat King Cole, Chuck Berry, Bob Dylan, and Bruce Springsteen. We see it in Easy Rider, Bagdad Café, Thelma & Louise, and even in the worlds of some of Pixar’s animated films like Cars or in video games that feature its neon lights and gas stations. A collective narrative, an internationally famous road, it is no longer just a straight line: it is the legend of America itself.