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 archives, 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.

This series explains math, not as it is taught in school, but as a mysterious construction of the human mind that is present in our culture, our thinking and our everyday life! Discover new landscapes, exhilarating stories and great mathematicians.

Discover new landscapes, paradoxes, twists and turns, great mathematicians...and learn a few new words!

Follow an international team of scientists on a mission to develop groundbreaking solutions to save the Great Barrier Reef and its 9,000 unique species from extinction.
 

These species interact with the coral to form a complex and delicate ecosystem whose survival depends on each and every one of them. Yet today the coral—and therefore all the organisms that depend on it—is in great danger. In a visually stunning series about one the most beautiful natural habitats on Earth, our international award winning crew has followed a team of scientists for 5 years. Their mission is to develop groundbreaking technological solutions to save the GBR from destruction.

Discover the unknown stories of emblematic places. A story that the great encyclopedias have left out of their pages. Tragedies, hoaxes, scientific experiments, tasty intrigues, forgotten heroes, learn History differently while traveling!

Did you know that the Statue of Liberty was once a lighthouse? That the Great Wall of China was built with rice? That Frankenstein's monster owes everything to an Italian frog or that there was a time in Switzerland when spaghetti grew on trees?

Little is known about the Chinese triads, the world's most influential mafias. Thanks to exclusive interviews with key protagonists, this in-depth thriller investigation takes us right into the heart of the world’s most powerful criminal organization, to reveal its far-reaching influence on geopolitics and the economy.

Who are they? What businesses are they involved in, and what are their strategies?  What is their role in the Chinese culture and history? Founded in the 17th century, the triads built their myth around the fight against China’s enemies. After Mao’s victory, they went into exile to two new territories where they established themselves and thrived: Hong Kong and Taiwan. Triad members became businessmen so they could take control of some parts of the underground economy, both in Asia and in the West. They blended into the game of globalization, inventing new criminal drug networks while investing in real estate in major Canadian or Australian cities, and flooding the world with fentanyl and other synthetic drugs.

200 years ago, Champollion ""cracked"" the hieroglyph code. Embark on an unprecedented scientific investigation in heart of the largest tomb in Egypt to unlock the secrets of this mysterious writing.

From the heart of the excavation site of Theban Tomb “TT33” Egypt's largest tomb near Luxor, a palace of hieroglyphs, let’s follow with exclusive access the mission of the IFAO (French Institute of Oriental Archeology in Cairo) on their scientific mission to uncover the priests, scribes, painters, engravers, and tomb builders who bequeathed the history of Ancient Egypt on tomb walls and papyrus. Who was this special class of people in the service of the Pharaohs that archaeologists are so interested in today? What do these inscriptions reveal about everyday Egyptian life? A sublime plunge into the great adventure of hieroglyphics.

Dive into the heart of 19th century bustling Paris, following the adventures and destinies of legendary artists such as Hugo, Sand, Berlioz, Balzac, etc. These intrepid young souls shook conventions with their words and brushes. This one-of-a-kind animated series reveals the deepest secrets of these romantic heroes. Their fights still resonate in today’s world.

Entirely told in traditional 2D animation, this series recounts the story of literary and artistic Paris between 1824 and 1870. The protagonists Hugo, Berlioz, Chopin, Delacroix, Courbet, Baudelaire, Balzac or Dumas… Young intrepid artists, eager to awaken society and break the rules using all means at their disposal, whether it’s paintbrushes, pens or guns. Their crossed destinies are incredibly romantic and their fights terribly relevant.

Dream travels, unusual encounters and exciting stories, this series shows you the world and provides insights into the lives and work of exceptional men and women across the globe. This multiple award-winning series is one of the most ambitious productions of its kind.

From sapphire mines in Madagascar to a small Russian village on the edge of the Arctic Circle that is slowly sinking into the sand… Our teams travel the planet exploring nature, technology and remote civilizations and portray what they discover there through meticulously documented, emotion-packed reports.
 
Season 24: 5 episodes in 4K