CULTURE

How do artists and writers see the world? France 24 takes you beyond the headlines to the crossroads where culture meets the news and engages with what's happening in our lives today. Monday to Friday at 5.15 pm.

Barry Levinson's "Blair Witch Project" for Thinking Adults
CULTURE

Barry Levinson's "Blair Witch Project" for Thinking Adults

Two million fish washed ashore, a thousand blackbirds dropped from the sky and 700 people dead: Rainman director Barry Levinson's 'The Bay' tells the story of a mysterious parasitic outbreak. Also on the show how to survive the wait until the 4th series of Game of Thrones and the English-language adaptation of Albert Cohen's epic Swiss tale 'Belle du Seigneur' starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and supermodel Natalia Vodianova.
Syrian soap operas, Mali musicians and Germans in search of gold
CULTURE

Syrian soap operas, Mali musicians and Germans in search of gold

The Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s infected dreamers from all over the world with mining fever, tempting them to the uncharted wilderness of northwest Canada. In today’s show the director Thomas Arslan and actress Nina Hoss talk about 'Gold:' a film following a band of German immigrants in search of a better life.
Thriller "The East" explores the world of anarchists fighting Western capitalism
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Thriller "The East" explores the world of anarchists fighting Western capitalism

Today the culture show is all about cinema. Clovis Casali talks to filmmaker Zal Batmanglij for the release of "the East" starring Brit Marling, Alexander Skarsgärd and Ellen Page. The movie shows an intelligence operative infiltrates an anarchist group that targets large corporations. Also on the program: Superman is back. This time his new adventures "Man of Steel" look at how Clark Kent developed into a fearless superhero.
Journey Through France’s Most Celebrated Gardens
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Journey Through France’s Most Celebrated Gardens

Today the culture show takes you to some of France’s most celebrated gardens. A journey throughout the country to understand what makes the Tuileries or Claude Monet’s Giverny so special and what kind of new challenges they face. You’ll see that the work of landscape architects and gardeners is art itself. Standing the test of time, these gardens attract hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.
Deconstructing 'The Shining'
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Deconstructing 'The Shining'

Stanley Kubrick's classic film is about a family facing death in an isolated hotel. Or maybe it's about the genocide of Native Americans. Or perhaps it's an indictment of the Holocaust. It all depends on who you ask. Our guest, director Rodney Ascher, has asked just about everyone. His documentary "Room 237" explores the world of "Shining" interpretations, talking to five people about their often outlandish ideas.
Oscar-Nominated William Nicholson on Mandela, the Middle Classes and Shopping
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Oscar-Nominated William Nicholson on Mandela, the Middle Classes and Shopping

Twice nominated for an Oscar for the film adaptation of his play "Shadowlands" and for co-writing the script for "Gladiator," today's guest has since adapted "Les Miserables" and Mandela's "A Long Walk to Freedom" for the silver screen. William Nicholson is here with his novelist hat on - as his book "The Secret Intensity of Everyday Life" is released in France.
Barbara Kingsolver, the Scientist Who Became a Novelist
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Barbara Kingsolver, the Scientist Who Became a Novelist

Acclaimed author Barbara Kingsolver joins us in the studio to talk about why she put climate change at the heart of her novel "Flight Behaviour", but also motherhood and the perils of social media. Also on the programme, the artist Scott Blake unveils the beauty of the barcode. Finally, we look at the revival of vinyl.
Actor/Director Johan Leysen
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Actor/Director Johan Leysen

From Belgium to Hollywood, from Cannes to Paris, the actor/director Johan Leysen talks mourning, prostitution and the art of theatre. Also on the show, we’re in La Réunion as the island celebrates the tenth anniversary of the Sakifo music festival, and we bring you a light show like you've never seen before, with French landmarks taking centre stage.
Vanessa Paradis' Love Songs
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Vanessa Paradis' Love Songs

French star Vanessa Paradis tells us about her music, acting and family. She rose to fame at barely the age of 15 with her song "Joe le Taxi". She's worked since with Serge Gainsbourg, Lenny Kravitz and has a new album out called "Love Songs". We caught up with her recently in Paris for the release of her album.
The Real Austin Ratner
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The Real Austin Ratner

In today’s show, we talk to American author Austin Ratner about mixing fiction and reality, photographer Philippe Halsman and drawing from his personal tragedies to write. We also have a look at Mucem, the new museum of Mediterranean culture in Marseille, and meet a few of the contestants taking part in the newest Middle East TV sensation – Arab Idol.
After Dita Von Teese, Top Model Noémie Lenoir Performs at the Crazy Horse Cabaret
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After Dita Von Teese, Top Model Noémie Lenoir Performs at the Crazy Horse Cabaret

After Pamela Anderson and Dita Von Teese, top model Noémie Lenoir is the latest superstar to perform at the iconic cabaret venue Crazy Horse in Paris. Also, Clovis Casali talks to author Hilary Reyl, whose first novel "Lessons in French" tells the story of a young American discovering Paris - and herself.
Brooklyn Artist Lorna Simpson: from Street Photography to Conceptual Work
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Brooklyn Artist Lorna Simpson: from Street Photography to Conceptual Work

Clovis Casali talks to American artist Lorna Simpson about how her style has evolved from street photography in the 1980s to more conceptual pieces. For the first time a major retrospective of her work is on display in Europe and it’s on at the Jeu de Paume Gallery here in Paris.
Surrealist, Subversive and Cult
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Surrealist, Subversive and Cult

Alejandro Jodorowsky leaves no one indifferent. By the early 1970s he was a star of American counter-culture and his cinema has influenced filmmakers such as David Lynch. Jodorowsky is back with a loosely autobiographical movie called "The Dance of Reality." He tells Clovis Casali how John Lennon helped him and why Marilyn Manson asked him to be the master of ceremony at his wedding to Dita Von Teese.
A daring and eclectic choice of winners
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A daring and eclectic choice of winners

In this show we look at the champions of the Cannes Film Festival. Lisa Nesselson and Eve Jackson rave about the Palme D'Or winner, the lesbian love story "Blue is the Warmest Colour", and discuss the merits of the other prize winners.
Curtain Down at Cannes
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Curtain Down at Cannes

As the credits get ready to roll at the 66th Cannes Film Festival, we hear from Roman Polanski on his new film, "Venus in Fur." We also speak to British director Lynne Ramsay, who is on this year's jury, and meet guest of honour Kim Novak.
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