Encore!

This month brings the end of an era as "Stranger Things" returns for its fifth and final season. Meanwhile, Ryan Murphy's "All's Fair", starring Kim Kardashian, in her first leading role has united critics in calling it a catastrophe, with The Guardian dubbing it "fascinatingly, existentially terrible". Plus, a provocative new French series "Seduction" reimagines the classic tale of "Dangerous Liaisons". TV critic Dheepthika Laurent guides us through the must-watch (and must-avoid) shows of the month.

In this episode of Arts 24, we look at "Fall of Freedom" – a nationwide wave of performances, readings and public art events as artists across the United States mobilise against mounting censorship and political pressure on cultural institutions. Hundreds of theatres, museums, and libraries are taking part on November 21 and 22 in what organisers call an urgent stand for artistic freedom. Joining us from New York are two of the movement's leading voices: Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Lynn Nottage and visual artist Dread Scott. They discuss why they believe democracy is at risk, how cultural institutions are being pressured into silence, and why artists are uniting now. Among the stars participating in "Fall of Freedom" are filmmaker Michael Moore, director Ava DuVernay, musicians John Legend and Amanda Palmer, Pulitzer-winning novelist Jennifer Egan and visual artists Marilyn Minter. Events include staged readings, public art installations, concerts, film screenings, and library programs, all aimed at defending free expression.

Film critic Emma Jones joins Eve Jackson to unpack Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's show-stopping return to Oz in Jon M. Chu's "Wicked: For Good", the blockbuster sequel landing with sky-high expectations, brand-new music and even a headline-grabbing incident at its Asian premiere. But this week's arts24 film show has far more than pink bubbles and green glamour.

Producers and multi-instrumentalists Cate Le Bon, from Wales, and Ouri, who was born in French Guiana, joined Marjorie Hache to discuss their new albums and how much – or how little – location shapes their work. Ouri has just moved back to Paris after spending the past decade in Montreal. She recently released the electro acoustic pop gem “Daisy Cutter”. Cate Le Bon has relocated to South Wales after the end of a relationship, though her 7th album, “Michelangelo Dying”, was produced in Hydra, Cardiff and Joshua Tree. 

At first, its soft cushions, luxurious rugs and fine china evoke the warm hospitality of an Afghan home. Yet as the immersive theatrical experience progresses, the audience feels the walls closing in, the sky outside darkens and the narrator's stories become increasingly bleak in tone. "One's own room: Inside Kabul" is an artistic take on the circumstances Afghan women and girls are currently living in: limited to their homes, with scarce opportunities for education. Its co-creator, Caroline Gillet, tells us about creating this space based on the accounts of Raha and Marwa, the two Afghan women whose stories made up her award-winning podcast "Inside Kabul" after the Taliban seized power in 2021.

He creates images of a past, present and future that are tantalisingly close to reality: Phillip Toledano's approach to photography harnesses technology, style and a sharp sense of humour. He joins us to talk about his latest book "Another England" and tells us how manipulating these scenes using artificial intelligence brings another layer to our ideas about "truth". Phillip also talks about putting himself at the centre of his artwork, and we discuss the technological developments that are revolutionising the way we make and consume art and culture.

The Bataclan music venue has become synonymous with the Paris terror attacks of November 2015, when 130 people were killed, 90 of them while attending an Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan. Photographer Marion Ruszniewski was on assignment at the venue and was injured in the attack. Ten years on, she tells us about the events of that tragic evening, as well as her feelings about returning to work at the Bataclan a year later. Plus, as Marion publishes a book detailing two decades of concert photography, we discuss the resilient spirit that saw Parisians return to the bars, cafés and concert halls in the aftermath of the tragedy. 

French director Rebecca Zlotowski had dreamed of working with her ever since she first started making films: Jodie Foster now takes on the leading role in "Private Life" as a psychologist haunted by a mysterious disappearance. Film critic Manon Kerjean gives us her appraisal of the film, and points us in the direction of "Dossier 137", a tense police drama that draws on real-life events with compelling results. We also discuss the heartwarming, stylish "Love Letters" from Alice Douard and the origin story of one of Victor Hugo's most beloved characters, "Jean Valjean".

He created Jean-Paul Gaultier's Le Mâle at just 24 and gave the world Baccarat Rouge 540, the fragrance that conquered the internet. Now, master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian – head of his own perfume house and Perfume Creation Director at Christian Dior – unveils a new Paris exhibition, "Perfume: Sculpture of the Invisible", at the Palais de Tokyo, celebrating 30 years of his groundbreaking creations. He sat down with FRANCE 24's Culture Editor Eve Jackson to talk about the art of capturing emotion in scent, the viral success of Baccarat Rouge 540 and how he's redefining fragrance as a true form of art.

American rockers We Are Scientists are pioneers of the indie sleaze movement and are currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking album "With Love and Squalor". It's a double celebration for the group, as they have also just released their latest album "Qualifying Miles". FRANCE 24's music editor Jennifer Ben Brahim chatted with them before their Parisian concert, as part of their European tour.

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with French multi-instrumentalist and producer Max Baby. A career in music was always on the cards for him, having made a drumkit at age six out of old biscuit tins. He dropped his debut record in 2024, and a year on is back with his EP "Break". It's a blend of post-modern indie, alt-rock and electro, and deals with the aftermath of losing control and the quiet that follows. He is also embarking on a European tour, with his first Parisian headline show.

In this edition of Arts24, we meet award-winning actress Diane Kruger as she returns to French screens in HBO's "Merteuil" or "The Seduction", a bold reimagining of the novel "Dangerous Liaisons". The German actress conquered Hollywood with "Troy" and "Inglorious Basterds"; now she returns to screens to explore a different kind of power, one that plays out in whispers, strategies and seduction in a candlelit 18th-century Paris. This new series sees Kruger play Madame De Rosemonde, a woman navigating the perilous games of patriarchy with cunning and elegance. The actress also tells us about returning to German cinema to explore some of the more complex questions surrounding World War II in Fatih Akin's critically-acclaimed "Amrum".

In this episode of arts24, we journey into the enchanting world of Isao Takahata, one of the founding fathers of Japanese animation and the creative force behind Studio Ghibli classics like "Grave of the Fireflies" and "Only Yesterday". From his early days in the 1960s to his final masterpiece, a new Paris retrospective traces Takahata's lifelong quest to capture humanity, emotion and the beauty of everyday life through animation.

This week on arts24's film show, critic Manon Kerjean from Lost in Frenchlation joins us to explore four very different slices of French cinema – from monumental architecture to female bandits, nostalgic comedy and a sweeping national portrait. We begin with "L'Inconnu de la Grande Arche" ("The Great Arch"), a visually striking portrait of the architect behind Paris's modern landmark, La Grande Arche de La Défense. Director Demoustier turns stone and steel into emotion, capturing the tension between ambition, politics and legacy, with Danish actor Claes Bang mastering French for the role.

Kenyan photographer Thandiwe Muriu is turning heads and bending reality. Her vibrant portraits blend women seamlessly into richly patterned fabrics, creating hypnotic optical illusions that celebrate African identity while questioning how we see beauty, culture and self-expression. Now, Muriu returns to Paris for her third solo exhibition, "Clouds Bring Blessings", at 193 Gallery. For the first time, she's created her own tie-dye fabrics, calling nature her "uninvited co-creator". In this edition of arts24, Muriu opens up about her journey from Kenya's first female commercial photographer to a global art sensation – and how fabric, light and heritage weave together in her striking visual universe.

French novelist Laurent Mauvignier has won France's most prestigious literary honour, the Goncourt prize, for "La Maison Vide" ("The Empty House"). The book "recalls the great realist authors of the 19th century, like Zola, Maupassant and Flaubert", FRANCE 24's Culture Editor Olivia Salazar-Winspear tells us from the awards ceremony in Paris.

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with Rebecca Lucy Taylor, aka Self Esteem. She's one of the UK's most exciting breakout stars of the last decade, with Grammy and Mercury nominations under her belt. Her music is a mix of bold, genre-blending pop and razor-sharp lyrics. She's also an actress, with roles including Sally Bowles in the West End production of "Cabaret". Self Esteem's third album "A Complicated Woman" is her most theatrical and truthful record to date, exploring the complexities of womanhood – from burnouts to depression to sexuality. She's currently on a European tour, with a stop at Paris's Pitchfork festival.

In this episode of arts24, we're at Paris Games Week, where the hit French video game "Clair Obscur: Expedition 33" has gone from digital epic to musical phenomenon. Composer Lorien Testard's symphonic tour "A Painted Symphony" is taking sold-out audiences by storm across France. Next, we head to Paris's newest cultural landmark as the Fondation Cartier unveils its spectacular new home opposite the Louvre – a Jean Nouvel-designed masterpiece blending Haussmannian charm with modernist flair. Finally, Hollywood's love affair with the musical biopic continues. From Elvis to Bob Marley, we explore why rock legends' real-life stories keep striking box office gold and take a look at the latest hit, "Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere".

Our film critic Emma Jones tells us why the Oscar buzz surrounding Dwayne Johnson's performance in "The Smashing Machine" is deserved and how the film deviates from the average "in the ring" biopic. We also discuss Jeremy Allen White's turn as Bruce Springsteen in director Scott Cooper's "Deliver Me From Nowhere", which zooms in on a difficult period in The Boss's career. We then discover a new talent in Laura Carreira, who's captured the precarity of the gig economy and the weight of loneliness in "On Falling", a social study with shades of Ken Loach. Plus we check out Guillermo del Toro's take on the monstrous "Frankenstein", starring Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac, as he revisits the gothic tale in his own unique style.

Dreaming up creations that resemble a garden of earthly delights, filled with beauty, decay and poetry: Precious Okoyomon is a Nigerian-American artist who embraces dark and light, matter and impermanence. Their new exhibition is called "It's important to have ur fangs out at the end of the world" and the artist tells us why this new work has a fairytale quality, encouraging the viewer to open up to the softness at its heart. We also discuss the wild and urban Brazilian landscapes that inspired a recent installation, and learn how the unique energy of Lagos and its people was distilled into a sound sculpture for the Nigerian pavilion at the Venice Biennale. 

Amadou and Mariam, the iconic musical duo from Mali, performed together for more than four decades until the passing of Amadou in April. Their ninth and final album together, "L'Amour à la Folie" or "Crazy Love" in English, has just dropped. It's a posthumous love letter from Mariam to her late husband, with help from their son Sam Bagayoko. FRANCE 24's Marion Chaval and Yong Chim spoke to Mariam about performing without Amadou.

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with French electronic producer and composer Thylacine. Travel is central to his artistry, having recorded music in unusual locations such as the Trans-Siberian Railway. He is releasing the third instalment of his "Roads" series, which had previously taken him to Argentina and the Faroe Islands. This time, he went to the Namibian desert to record "Roads vol.3", turning a 1972 airstream caravan into a recording studio. We also talk about the ultimate revenge record by British pop star Lily Allen. "West End Girl" is a deeply personal dive into her divorce from "Stranger Things" actor David Harbour.

In this show dedicated to the 10th edition of Also Known As Africa (AKAA), Dheepthika Laurent talks to Zimbabwean mixed-media artist Victor Nyakauru, known for being a “found-object” sculptor. He tells us why he is passionate about breathing new life into old objects and what messages he hopes to convey about environmental sustainability. Also on set: South African photographer and visual artist Gavin Goodman. He talks about his “Vela series” at AKAA, in which he blends African heritage with a minimalist perspective. Finally, we look ahead to Asia Now — the Parisian contemporary-art fair celebrating Asian art and artists at La Monnaie de Paris.

His latest exhibition, Dedicated to the One I Love, reflects what Jeffrey Gibson describes as a journey much like a loving relationship — marked by ups and downs, moments of great joy, and times of difficulty. As the first Indigenous artist to represent the United States at the Venice Biennale, Gibson talks about bringing Native American practices and performances to his pedestals at the U.S. Pavilion, and about how the ideas of French philosophers Simone de Beauvoir and Jacques Derrida have found their way into his installations. We discuss the artistic and social realities of living under a Trump presidency, and the sense of positivity he discovered by immersing himself in the natural world.

In this week's film show, Manon Kerjean and Dheepthika Laurent look at Nadia Melliti's performance as an Arab woman struggling with her sexual identity in "La Petite Dernière", a film for which she won best actress at the Cannes Film Festival. We also look at François Ozon's daring, bold adaptation of Albert Camus' masterpiece "L'Étranger" and discuss the technical prowess of "L'Homme qui rétrécit", a film starring Oscar-winning actor Jean Dujardin. Finally, we check out Isabelle Huppert's new film, "La femme la plus riche du monde", a biopic loosely inspired by L'Oréal heiress Liliane Bettencourt.

Nigerian-Belgian artist Otobong Nkanga chose a particularly poetic title for her latest exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art in Paris: “I Dreamt of You in Colours.” This marks her largest show to date in France. Otobong joins us to talk about how living entities are in constant dialogue with the environment in her multi-media installations, and why “bling” means so much more than the glint of cheap jewelry in her artwork. The award-winning sculptor also discusses how stone, textiles and even her own voice can be shaped to tell a story, and we discuss the seminal artworks that prompted her to embrace art as a career. 

Our guest this week on arts24 is British-Australian singer-songwriter Mereki, who has spent time working and composing with other artists and who recently released her second album "Buttercup", a delightful mix of folk and grunge. She tells us more about the record, her love for France and which artists have influenced her. We also take a look at new releases by Demi Lovato, Serj Tankian from System of a Down and Ireland's up and coming band Just Mustard.

In this edition of arts24, Eve Jackson meets one of Europe's most daring and visionary artists. Exiled Russian filmmaker and theatre director Kirill Serebrennikov is in Paris with two powerful new works that confront the shadows of history and the systems that let them thrive. At the Théâtre du Châtelet, his radical, multilingual "Hamlet/Fantômes" features eight actors sharing the role of the Danish prince – speaking in English, French, German, and Russian – as Serebrennikov explores the ghosts haunting our present. On screen, his chilling new film "The Disappearance of Josef Mengele" follows the Nazi doctor's flight to South America, revealing the silent complicity that allowed one of history's monsters to escape justice. Serebrennikov speaks to Eve Jackson about skulls, systems, exile and why art must break down walls rather than build them.

On this month's Arts 24 TV series show, TV critic Dheepthika Laurent chats with Eve Jackson about the standout shows hitting screens in October. From “Les Disparues de la Gare”, a gripping French true crime series based on real-life femicides, to “The Woman in Cabin 10”, a stylish yacht-set thriller starring Keira Knightley, there's plenty to keep you hooked.

Critic Emma Jones reviews this week's major releases, including Kristen Stewart's directorial debut, “The Chronology of Water”, and the Japanese drama “A Pale View of Hills”. Director Myriam El Hajj offers a compelling portrait of a society in turmoil in her latest documentary, “Diaries from Lebanon”, following Georges, Joumana, and Perla Joe. The film exposes Lebanon's simmering tensions amid economic, political, and humanitarian crises. El Hajj shares the challenges of filmmaking in Lebanon in recent years and how her subjects inspired the energy and optimism to complete the project.

The first French contestant on RuPaul's Drag Race – and the fearless host of Drag Race France – Karl Sanchez, better known as Nicky Doll, joins Eve Jackson on Arts24 to share the story behind the persona. In this episode, Karl opens up about his powerful new album “Apollo • Artemis”, his journey balancing masculinity and femininity, and how drag has become a platform for art, fashion, and activism. He also tells us about the first-ever Drag Race France Live All Stars Royal Tour.

On today's music show on Arts24, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with two talented French musicians. Scott Tixier, a six-time Grammy-winning violinist, composer, and professor, has collaborated with some of the world's biggest artists, including Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Beyoncé, Hans Zimmer, and Jon Batiste. His new solo album, “Bonfire”, offers a bold, innovative take on jazz improvisation. Célia Kameni, one of France's most exciting singers, draws inspiration from a wide range of artists, from Nina Simone to Björk. Recently, she won one of France's most prestigious jazz awards for her intimate and beautiful EP “Meduse” (or Medusa in English).

Grammy-nominated Nigerian musician and activist Femi Kuti has toured the world and played with some of the biggest bands and at the most prestigious festivals. 2025 has been a busy year for Femi. He's been touring his latest album "A Journey Through Life" and this month he's gearing up to celebrate the life and heritage of his late father, Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, who passed away in 1997. Femi spoke to Marjorie Hache on arts24.

Arts24 comes to you from the charming seaside town of Dinard in Brittany, where France celebrates the best of British and Irish cinema. Join Eve Jackson on the red carpet for an exclusive conversation with Kristin Scott Thomas, who opens the festival with "My Mother's Wedding", her first film behind the camera, starring Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller and Emily Beecham.

Director Richard Linklater has paid tribute to the groundbreaking moment in French cinema when jump cuts, cigarette smoke and rebellious youth were rendered in beautiful black and white celluloid. Manon Kerjean tells us why "Nouvelle Vague", his affectionate tribute to French film history, is a treat for cinephiles. We also discuss the social drama "Météors", which takes viewers deep into rural France for a bromance that deals with coming-of-age struggles with humour. Meanwhile, Arnaud Desplechin returns with a cerebral, emotionally dense story of music and mystery, as François Civil and Charlotte Rampling star in "Two Pianos". Plus we check out a charming animated rendition of the life of French literary giant Marcel Pagnol, whose southern stories have delighted generations of schoolchildren.

As the fashion industry looks ahead to sunnier times for its spring/summer 2026 collections, we learn about the inspirations behind Burç Akyol's latest collection, "Gülistan". The award-winning Franco-Turkish designer has just shown his fifth collection at Paris Fashion Week after his looks were enthusiastically embraced by celebrities like Kendall Jenner, Cate Blanchett and Zendaya. Plus, fashion editor Samantha Tse briefs us on the high-profile arrivals at the major French houses, as Chanel, Dior and Balenciaga all welcome new creative directors.

This week on arts24's music show, Marjorie Hache chats to Pain Magazine, a new band which sees French-American techno DJs and producers Louisahhh and Maelstrom team up with French hardcore punk band Birds in Row. They've just released their first album "Violent God", which contrasts punk and techno with softer dream pop tones while exploring themes like self-esteem and relationships at large, at a time when screens are constantly demanding our attention. We also look at new releases by Tame Impala, Sudan Archives and The Last Dinner Party.

After breaking most music industry records during her "Eras" tour in 2023 and 2024, Taylor Swift is back with the hotly anticipated account of that time in the form of her twelfth studio album. "The Life of a Showgirl" brings in pop princess Sabrina Carpenter and Swedish producers Max Martin and Shellback, who produced Swift's synth pop album "1989" and mega hits "Shake It Off" and "Blank Space". The release coincides with a weekend screening of a behind-the-scenes documentary, where the US star will unveil a new music video from this latest album. FRANCE 24's Olivia Salazar-Winspear tells us more.

The seaside town of Dinard in Brittany is rolling out the red carpet for stars from Ireland and the UK as it hosts its annual film festival. Culture editor Eve Jackson tells us about the dramas, documentaries and horror stories screening there this year, and catches up with actress and director Kristin Scott Thomas as she presents the very personal "My Mother's Wedding". We also weigh up Leonardo DiCaprio's prospects as Oscar buzz surrounds the actor's latest performance. Plus: Swifties, rejoice! Taylor Swift releases her 12th album, "The Life of a Showgirl", and reflects upon a life spent on stage. 

Choreographer and dancer Akram Khan took inspiration from the Nabataean tribes of the Saudi Arabian desert for his latest creation "Thikra: Night of Remembering", as he delves into regional traditions with Saudi artist Manal Al Dowayan. He tells us why staging an all-women production in the kingdom came naturally, despite taboos surrounding public performances and why his work has always been informed by a female gaze. We also discuss his life-changing collaboration with the late director Peter Brook and his upcoming projects as Khan tours his last production with the dance company he founded 25 years ago.

This week on arts24, we explore the rise of virtual talent and the storm surrounding AI actress Tilly Norwood, the digital star unveiled at the Zurich Film Festival that's shaking up the entertainment world. Plus, film critic Emma Jones tells us about the festival's human stars: Russell Crowe reflects on his storied career while accepting a Lifetime Achievement Award, Colin Farrell charms audiences in a new role set in Macau, and Benedict Cumberbatch confronts grief in an unexpected form. We also take a first look at Palme d'Or winner "It Was Just an Accident", a haunting new feature from Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi, and dive into "A Big Bold Beautiful Journey", the fantasy romance starring Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie that has left critics divided.

Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi has been jailed, gone on hunger strike and even sold his house to pay bail – all for the right to make movies. After winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes and being selected to represent France at the Oscars, he's now releasing his new film "It Was Just an Accident", inspired by his own imprisonment. In this interview, Panahi explains to Eve Jackson why every film is worth the risk.