ARTE Distribution

An international investigation reveals that, on Vladimir Putin’s orders, a system that was set up by oligarchs and closely linked to the Russian oil and gas industry, corrupted global finance. All this was meant to serve his revenge against the West. Discover four decades of Russian economic and financial history, through the rise and fall of the oligarchs.

Featuring testimonies and archival footage, the series shows how a handful of men took control of the Russian economy and established themselves as partners of the major Western powers, not only for their own benefit, but also to serve Vladimir Putin's ambitions. By focusing on their backgrounds, their motivations, methods and ambitions, the series exposes this mafia-like economic system, which reproduces itself like a sprawling octopus and adapts to geopolitical upheavals. This international investigation analyzes four decades of Russian economic and financial history, through the birth and rise of the oligarchs. Like a film noir, this series presents a bitter Russian novel, depicting the homeland of the Tsars and Lenin as a mafia-like petro-monarchy, where cynicism, violence, greed, and the thirst for power seem to have no limit.

Famously known as the great builder and warrior of ancient Egypt, this series reveals the lesser-known facts about Ramesses II, Egypt's most famous pharaoh. It uncovers the man behind the myth through his military triumphs and monumental architectural achievements, as well as his personal and political challenges. Through 3D visual reconstructions and interviews with leading experts on ancient Egypt from around the world (French, American, English, German, Canadian), the series offers a unique insight into the life of this extraordinary leader.

Each 52-minute episode delves into a specific aspect of Ramesses II's life, shedding light on his exceptional reign which lasted over sixty years. Leading scholars, archaeologists and ancient history experts share recent discoveries lifting a new veil on this legendary ruler. Explore his enduring legacy which transcended eras and geographical boundaries through state-of-the-art 3D visual reconstructions and interviews and travel back in time to understand the man behind the legend.

China maintains that it is a peaceful power and neutral in other countries’ conflicts. But the country has a long history of aggressive expansion and has also suffered from the belligerence of European powers.

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.

AIR perform their iconic album Moon Safari at London's prestigious Royal Albert Hall. Return to the tail end of the 1990s with this exceptional concert, when the "French Touch" scene was conquering hearts and minds from the European continent to Hollywood.

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...

Metronomy present their new album, Small World, as well as some of their classic tracks, from the palaeontology gallery of the French National Museum of Natural History in Paris.

Setlist :
Love Factory
The Bay
It's Good To Be Back
Everything Goes My Way
Walking in the Dark
Night Owl
Things Will Be Fine
Salted Caramel Ice Cream
Right On Time
The Look
Back On The Motorway

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.