Arts & Culture
A clash of egos
In 1982, newly elected French president Francois Mitterrand decided to build an ultra-modern opera house on the Bastille Place, the symbol of the Revolution. In a blind competition, 750 hopeful firms send designs.
During the formal announcement, the Minister of Culture stutters an unexpected name: Carlos Ott from Canada. No one has heard of him before. So, what happened?
François Mitterrand looks thrilled, unlike his sworn enemy and Mayor of Paris, Jacques Chirac, who will do everything he can to stop the Bastille Opera in its tracks.
MIYABORI [52’]
Carving Divinity
Miyabori is a traditional wood carving technique used in Japanese temples and shrines.
It’s an obscure and underrated form of art that has been offered a new lease on life thanks to long trained and skillful masters.
Elizabeth Tinsley, a specialist in Buddhist culture and former fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, is exploring landmarks as well as workshops of Miyabori master carvers to unveil this Japanese hidden treasure that might have inspired Hokusai’s Great Wave.
MUSEUMS TO VISIT IN JAPAN [6x30’]
From the Edo era to the more recent industrial period
Japan has a long and rich history covering many areas and the best way to approach these many facets is to visit the museums scattered around the country.
This series spans the Edo era to the more recent industrial period.
THE SEA OF ITAMI JUN [52’]
The architect of the elements
Itami Jun is a Japanese-born Korean architect.
In this film, he revisits the places he cherished, specifically the thoughtful and sensitive architectural works he designed.
His original and innovative approach has been revealed in the design of ensembles and by a meticulous choice of materials. Favoring wood, stone, and metal, he has revived the tradition of harmony with nature for a more humane architecture.
Also available as a 112'
A MUSEUM AT WORK [52’]
Descendants of miners
The Louvre-Lens Museum was built on a mine, the site of the former pit 9.
This film tells the story of those who work there, descendants of miners inhabited by their new responsibilitý, men and women of culture mobilized by a common passion.
ANDREE PUTMAN, THE GRAND LADY OF DESIGN [52’]
An icon of the eighties
Andrée Putman, an internationally renowned stylist and interior designer, has left an indelible mark on the world of design.
She embodies “the chic Parisian woman, always impeccable, who leaves nothing to chance”, said her daughter Olivia, who took over from her.
This film looks back at the career and legacy of this icon of the eighties.
ART FILES [37x26’]
From conception to fame
This series tells the story of great works of art exhibited in major museums to understand better what made them famous.
Each episode follows the journey of a painting or sculpture from its genesis to the moment it becomes prominent.
It unveils the creative process behind these works and their often tumultuous destinies. Indeed, some were stolen or looted, others vanished then reappeared, and others still were objects of scandals and despised to be finally acclaimed as masterpieces.
ARTHUR MILLER, A MAN OF HIS CENTURY [60’]
One of the greatest playwrights
Born in New York in 1915, Arthur Miller has created some of the most memorable stage plays in the world of literature over seven decades, becoming one of the greatest playwrights of the century. He never stopped being curious and was constantly pushing his limits.
This is a portrait of a fascinating man who, by marrying Marilyn Monroe, became a genuine American icon as their couple embodied glamour, success, and love in the 20th century.
BACK SHOT [60’]
The test on the bonds of love
A contestant is facing the back of 4 people. They all look alike but only one is that dear person close to him.
With letters and clues given to him, every step of the game will bring them closer or farther away. A dramatic way to witness how strong is the bond between 2 persons.
BACK SHOT is more than a game, it’s a human drama.
BONSAI BAD BOY [5x23’]
A 1000 year-old tradition becomes hip
A young apprentice is given a mission: to find a new audience for a 1000 year-old tradition to prevent it from disappearing and achieve his master's dying wish to bring peace to the world. He is dogged by failures until he decides to merge bonsai, fashion and street music thereby abandoning time-honoured approaches.
Along the way he discovers a path to peace by using bonsai to heal the trauma of war and other challenges of modern life.
BONSAI BAD BOY follows the worldwide journey of a humble man turning an ancient tradition into performance art for a new generation.
DIVAS [52’]
The voices or Arabic music
The "golden age" of culture in the Arab world, which lasted from the 1920s to the 1970s, saw women play a crucial role. They took over music, song, cinema, literature, the radio, and the press, and thrilled and enthralled diverse peoples, from Baghdad to Casablanca.
These women, some of whom remain giants in their own right, are symbols of a bygone era but also models and sources of inspiration for many contemporary Arab artists.
DIVINE DIVAS [110’]
The first generation of Brazilian transvestite performers
In the 1960s, the Divine Divas were the first generation of Brazilian transvestite performers.
One of the first venues that gave shelter to men dressed as women was the Rival Theatre, directed by Américo Leal.
In this film, his granddaughter recounts the stories of a generation that revolutionized sexual behavior and challenged the country’s staid morality.
DRIVE-IN STORIES [52’]
The return of the outdoor movie screen
The drive-in was the ultimate symbol of a carefree and newly motorized American youth in the 60s and 70s.
Even though the changing culture made them disappear decades ago, they have enjoyed a recent revival thanks to many enthusiasts.
With screens springing up across the US, moviegoers of all ages, families, and young couples can turn their windshields again into giant screens.
FOR ART’S SAKE [7x45’]
Mixing the old with the new
From the jungles of Borneo and Papua New Guinea, the streets of Indonesia and Thailand, from the age-old Geisha tradition in Japan to bold experiments in Singapore, outstanding people are breaking new grounds and pushing the limits, just FOR ART’S SAKE.
FPS - FIRST PERSON SHOOTER [5x52’]
A video game revolution
This series is a nostalgic journey through 50 years of FPS (First-Person Shooter) history, featuring the developers and artists behind these legendary games.
We dig deep into the history of these groundbreaking games, from the genre's humble beginnings to the present day, exploring the creation, impact, and legacy of a wide range of genre-defining classics, including Wolfenstein 3D, Doom, GoldenEye, Half-Life, Halo, and many more.
HIERONYMUS BOSCH, THE DEVIL WITH ANGEL'S WINGS [52’]
The first surrealist painter
A contemporary of Leonardo da Vinci, Hieronymus Bosch was at the crossroads of the Middle Ages symbolism and the birth of humanism in the Renaissance.
His authentic works are rare, with only 25 paintings and 8 drawings. All are exhibited in the world's greatest museums, but the fascination with them, even in his own time, has always been huge.
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF GEORGE CHINNERY [52’]
The painter in mid-19th century China
George Chinnery was one of the first and most notable European artists to live in Southern China prior to the arrival of photography. His sketches, watercolors, and oil paintings are held in private collections and museums worldwide.
This film depicts the life and works of the English painter during his years in Macao in the mid-19th century.
The artist’s work vividly captures the Chinese culture and the way of life for expatriates in the Far East during the China Trade and Opium War years from 1825 to 1860.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX, THE CRAFT OF EMOTION [52’]
An intense star
At the peak of his career, Joaquin Phoenix suddenly seems to give up everything.
He had starred in numerous blockbusters and immersed himself in his roles, getting two Oscar nominations as a reward. Now, seemingly out of the blue, he claims to be ending his film career and taking off as a rapper instead.
Is this one of the most extraordinary talents of his generation breaking down in front of everyone, or is he thumbing his nose at a meaningless Hollywood machine?
LEONARDO DA VINCI, A MAN IN MOTION [52’]
A very modern genius
The Vitruvian Man, the bicycle, Mona Lisa, the perspective, the "Last Supper"...
How could the same man create so many things in his lifetime, 500 years ago, and lay the foundations of modern times?
This film pays homage to Leonardo da Vinci and revisits his genius through a wholly original visual adventure, using animations of Codex.
LEONARDO DA VINCI, THE UNIVERSAL MAN [52’]
Artist, engineer, scientist
How can one man paint the Mona Lisa, conceive ball bearing and give the first clinical description of atherosclerosis?
On the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death, this film answers these questions thanks to research in the field and encounters with the most outstanding experts on the Renaissance genius.
MADE IN KYOTO [25x26’]
A culture of craftsmanship and excellence
Kyoto's allure lies not only in its shrines and temples or the elegance of the city.
Since the year 794, Kyoto flourished as the capital of Japan, leading the way in the arts, architecture and commerce. The essence of the country’s culture was born in this very town and has been refined and passed down.
This series introduces artistry at its best created and nurtured by the local masters who know true craftsmanship and excellence.
MAESTRO NAGANO [52’]
Music everywhere
As head of the Montreal Symphonic Orchestra, Kent Nagano has conducted many original projects that demonstrate his marked interest in the culture of his new home country.
Above all, he wants to understand the people around him and bring them the music wherever they are: a concert at the Maison Symphonique, on national or international tours, a concert at the Molson Brewery, or at the Bell Center (an indoor sports arena).
This is the portrait of a great maestro fascinated by classical and contemporary music.
MARIANNE TRUDEL : A RISING STAR [61’]
The private concert
Marianne Trudel, who has already released 6 albums, is a pianist, composer, improviser and arranger. Her music, inspired by french songs, brazilian rythm and contemporary jazz, bears testimony to her openess to the world. Energetic and passionate, she has a busy career as a performer either solo or with diverse formations.
This private concert, where she performs 10 of her original compositions, was filmed at the legendary Upstairs Club.
MIGAKU HITO [47’]
Polishing as an art
Unbeknownst to many, polishing is an art in Japan and is called Migaku.
Masters of this traditional craft share a sense of beauty and take pride in the happiness they bring to Migaku-related items.
Indeed, what emerges after polishing are things that shine, sparkle, and smiles, characteristics we witness through several encounters and testimonies.
NEMANJA RADULOVIC, FROM BELGRADE TO PARIS [52’]
The hard road to success
This film explores the life of Nemanja Radulovic, the talented violinist, through a lengthy interview in which the artist reveals his joys, sorrows, victories and failures that led to his success.
PLANET KINBAKU [52’]
The art of binding
Kinbaku is an erotic practice from Japan that consists of binding one's partner with ropes.
Although its origins lie in the alcoves dedicated to classical sadomasochism, Kinbaku has invested many artistic disciplines in unsuspected ways.
This film introduces us to a mysterious tradition and its links with art.
SCIENCE FICTION REVOLUTION [5x52’]
They invented a new world in the '80s
Tracking major theatrical releases and forgotten gems, this series explores the sci-fi movies of the ‘80s.
At that time, the genre experienced a real revolution with films such as “Blade Runner”, “E.T.”, “Back to the Future” or “Terminator”. The decade proved pivotal for the many skill sets involved and an infinite source of inspiration for today’s artists and filmmakers.
The people who built these legendary worlds - storytellers, visual effects artists, set designers, and producers - tell us how they materialized their ideas on films that dazzled the spectators.
SONG OF THE UNTOUCHABLE, A VIOLINIST IN INDIA [52’]
A musical journey
Gregory Walker is a concert violinist who feels trapped in the classical music world by being forced to perform the big hits season after season. He sets out on a personal journey in search of inspiration.
He travels to Kerala, the picturesque state of South India, to meet new friends, renew old acquaintances, and learn the challenging melodic and rhythmic variations present in Indian music.
SPAGHETTI WESTERN: COLTS, SLAPS AND BEANIES [52’]
The inspiration for great contemporary directors
The myth of the cowboy was born in the American studios, but when we talk about Westerns, one name keeps coming up: Sergio Leone, the great architect of the so-called "spaghetti" Western because it was made in Italy.
This genre, which was initially intended to be purely mercantile by shooting low-cost imitations of American Westerns, allowed the emergence of new talents.
The spaghetti western became a true genre thanks to Leone, Corbucci, Solima, and the music of Ennio Morricone. It will then, in turn, influence international cinema, notably by inspiring great contemporary directors such as Quentin Tarantino.
THE AMAZING KEYSTONE BAND [52’]
The Big Band tradition
When the jazz bands of the past structured themselves as orchestras with brass ensembles expressing themselves around the rhythmic section, this led to the birth of the Big Bands.
Fletcher Henderson, pianist, conductor, arranger and composer, is credited with creating the first Big Band. Among the most famous were Count Basie's and Duke Ellington's. There were still many such bands until the 1960s, such as those of Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Cab Calloway, and Artie Shaw.
Today they are rather rare but the tradition continues thanks to The Amazing Keystone Big Band.
THE FOOD THAT BUILT ASIA [9x30’]
From domestic to international fame
This entertaining and informative series explores some of Asia's most iconic dishes and their journey to domestic and international fame.
We unpack the history, culture, cooking, and challenges behind each recipe and find out how these culinary treasures have endured the test of time.
THE GREAT MASTERS OF PAINTING [15x52’]
Art geniuses
They have been piercing observers of their times, leaving their works for posterity.
Often misunderstood and even harassed by critics, they were trailblazers of new artistic movements that transformed art forever and still fascinate scholars today.
This series is a thrilling journey into the world of the most significant painting geniuses.
THE IMMORTAL SHADOWS [52’]
Entertainment becomes art
Animation is one of today’s most popular forms of entertainment which makes great use of ever evolving technologies.
However its origin goes way back, in a long forgotten traditional art that a Japanese shadow master wants to bring to a new audience.
His quest takes him to a remote village deep into Malaysia’s tropical forest in the midst of the monsoon, in search of a master puppeteer who knows the secrets of the shadows immortality.
TIMELESS LOUVRE [52’]
The museum with 38,000 works of art
For almost 230 years, the Louvre, which houses over 38,000 works of art, never ceased to captivate, amaze and engage its visitors.
This film is an immersion into the depths of this living place, where 2,000 men and women work to bring it to life.