New Programs
The memorable characters of History
Some lives are synonymous with times gone by and to recount them is to bring these worlds back to life.
This series retraces the destinies of the greatest figures in history and takes us back to the eras they left their mark on.
THE MAN WHO DEFIED AMERICA 52’
The 30 years showdown between General de Gaulle and the USA
The hostility of the United States towards General de Gaulle is not a secret anymore. Successive American administrations tried everything to subdue him without ever succeeding, using media manipulations or clandestine financing of his opponents, to name a few strategies.
The showdown between the General and the USA would last 30 years.
This film explains the reasons behind this antagonism thanks to declassified archives and new testimonies. For the first time, it is now possible to recount this secret war that pitted de Gaulle against America from 1940 to 1969.
THE REALM OF ANTS 52’
United to survive
In the garden of a country house, a colony of Rufibarbis ants wakes up after the winter.
In the six months from spring to autumn, it faces the age-old challenge of survival.
The hard workers, the dedicated soldiers, and the precious queen join forces to meet the demands of reproduction and to fight the dangers of theft, slavery, or flooding.
PARMESAN, THE GRATE WAR 52’
The second most counterfeited food product in the world
Is Parmesan a luxury product or a mass-market food? In any case, it is a product whose production has been jealously guarded for centuries in the Po Valley in Italy. Thefts of whole wheels have multiplied there, and a parmesan cheese bank has even been created in an ultra-secure place.
While certain production methods are under debate, the United States, a country with little regard for Protected Designation of Origin and traditions, offers a US version of the famous Italian cheese.
The second most counterfeited food product in the world, Parmesan has flooded restaurant tables and supermarkets.
MASTERS OF COFFEE 52’
An episode from the series
MASTERS OF SAVOURS
For almost a decade, the world of roasting has been in the midst of a revolution with the so-called "specialty" coffee.
These coffees are being tended in exceptional places such as the Finca Bora in Panama, the Reunion Island, or the heights of Cali in Colombia.
This film shows us the complexity of this plant through the men and women who watch over it with passion.
YAB YUM 52’
The rise and fall of the world's most legendary brothel
Yab Yum, Amsterdam's most legendary brothel, was forced to close its doors more than 10 years ago after the exclusive and vibrant club turned into a dodgy criminal hub.
Director Anna Maria van't Hek found those who once worked there; they share with her their turbulent past. They tell their extravagant and painful stories about Yab Yum's glory days and how it all went tragically wrong.
THE MASTERS OF THE REICH [4x52’]
Making silent archives speak
This series gives a new life to silent archives.
It shed new light on WWII and the preceding years by revealing what the masters of the Reich and their acolytes were really saying to each other while being filmed, thinking no one could hear them.
Surprising or trivial, mundane or astonishing, their words now deciphered give a new perspective on these historical archives and get us closer to the harsh reality of these tragic days.
BECOMING WOMAN 52’
The fight of a new life
Becoming a woman means, among other things, adopting a new voice, at the cost of long speech therapy sessions, but also a new wardrobe and a new walk.
Day after day, these people will have to tame their femininity to finally become who they have always been inside.
They have decided to free themselves from the gaze of others to fight the battle for a new life.
LOVE AND SEX IN ISRAEL 52’
A torn youth
The Promised Land is a recent state where religion and institutions are intertwined while mores and modernity clash.
In a country swept by conflicts since its creation, where carelessness and patriotism coexist, the youth torn between thousand-year-old traditions and Western influences must find its own way.
THE BLOODY DECADE [8x45’]
Horror films of the '80s
This series tracks major theatrical releases, obscure titles, and straight-to-video gems, exploring the horror movies of the ‘80s. From “Shining” to the “Nightmare on Elm Street” saga and from “The Gremlins” to “The Thing”, the era was genuinely golden for the genre.
Topics include groundbreaking effects, the home video revolution, poster art and project marketing, sound design and musical scores, the 3-D resurgence, heroes and villains, sex and nudity, and much more.
Filled with countless clips and entertaining moments, this nostalgia trip through a game-changing decade made a generation of horror fans believe in the impossible.
FLAVORS OF CAMBODIA 52’
An episode from the series
FLAVORS
With its legendary temples and heavenly beaches, Cambodia has many treasures to offer.
This land steeped in ritual and belief has managed to modernize itself, as evidenced by its capital, Phnom Penh, and its Art Deco architecture.
Far from the frenzy of the cities, some inhabitants have managed to preserve their natural and artistic heritage.
EXTREME ELEVATORS, SKY IS THE LIMIT 48’
Taking you to the next level
The elevator is an invisible means of transportation, yet it is the most used worldwide. More than a billion human beings take them every day.
Since its creation in 1853, it has followed the industrial evolution and accompanied innovative technologies.
Today, it is a sophisticated, high-performance piece of equipment.
When we enter an elevator, we are far from imagining all the innovations it has benefited from over the past decades.