Encore!

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.

If you're a fan of gospel, soul and folk with a vintage pop vibe, you'll love the work of Natalie Bergman, who has just released her second solo album "My Home Is Not In This World" on Jack White's Third Man Records. The record can be seen as a rebirth following her stunning but grief-stricken first album. This new offering explores past loves and aims to bring comfort and reassurance in these complicated times. She popped by FRANCE 24 to tell Marjorie Hache more about the record and the music videos that beautifully accompany it. We also meet Ireland's rising pop star CMAT, who has just released a new album "Euro-Country" and we take a look at Spark's new EP "Madder!" 

"Art is my way of turning pain into hope." Those are the words of Gaza-based photographer Belal Khaled, whose images have been seen by millions and published in Time, the Guardian and The Wall Street Journal. His work, along with that of 10 other Gaza-based photographers, is at the heart of a powerful new exhibition at P21 Gallery in London, titled "Against Erasure: Photographs from Gaza." In a war where foreign reporters have been banned from Gaza, these photojournalists risk their lives to document what's happening and ensure their stories are not silenced.

Their debut album "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" changed the course of East Coast hip-hop in 1993, with its lyrical acrobatics delivered by a charismatic collective of MCs. Thirty years later, the Wu-Tang Clan have taken to the stage of the immense Red Rocks amphitheatre, accompanied by the Colorado Symphony orchestra, for a historical concert that is at the centre of "A Wu-Tang experience: Live at Red Rocks". Its director, Gerald Barclay, and founder of the Wu-Tang clan RZA join arts24 to discuss this major moment in the group's history.

From a Tunisian beauty contest to starring in Fellini's masterpieces, Claudia Cardinale's dazzling career shaped European cinema's golden age. Join us on arts24 as film critic Emma Jones and Eve Jackson celebrate the legacy of Italy's unforgettable sweetheart, an accidental star who became a legend. Don't miss this tribute to a true cinematic icon.

In this episode of arts24, coinciding with the 200th anniversary of the first passenger train, award-winning travel writer Monisha Rajesh joins Eve Jackson to share her immersive, rail-bound adventures across continents. Her latest book, "Moonlight Express: Around the World by Night Train", takes readers on 18 unforgettable journeys – from sipping pisco sours aboard Peru's Andean Explorer to watching the sunrise over Istanbul's skyline.

On today's music show on Arts24, Jennifer Ben Brahim sits down with Chicago-born, New York-based singer, songwriter, and producer KeiyaA. Known for her gossamer vocals and genre-blending sound – mixing jazz, soul, and electro – KeiyaA made waves with her debut album Forever, Ya Girl, earning critical acclaim and fans like Solange, Jay-Z, and Moses Sumney. Five years later, she returns with her sophomore album Hooke's Law, a deeply personal journey of self-love that serves as a musical diary of one of the most challenging periods of her life.

The Cathedral's bell towers were the last part of the site to reopen to the public following extensive renovations after the 2019 fire that devastated large parts of the building. French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the bell towers ahead of the European Heritage Days, when the cathedral will be fully accessible once again. FRANCE 24's Aurore Cloé Dupuis visited to get a preview of one of the best views in Paris. We also explore other architectural gems opening their doors this weekend, including a chocolate workshop led by one of France's finest chefs.

Israeli director Nadav Lapid joins Arts24 to discuss “Yes”, his most daring film yet, released this week in France after a powerful premiere at Cannes. Shot in Israel during the war in Gaza and completed under rocket fire, the film follows a musician tasked with composing a patriotic anthem after October 7. With cast and crew walking off set, “Yes”was shaped by real-time tensions both on and off screen. Blending biting satire with deep emotional undercurrents, the film explores the complex roles of artists and citizens during national trauma. Lapid reflects on creative freedom, identity, and the challenge of telling hard truths in turbulent times.

French pop star Mylène Farmer makes a rare appearance as the voice of an AI-powered virtual assistant in "Dalloway", which deals with some of the darker sides of creativity in Yann Gozlan's latest film. Manon Kerjean, the founder of Lost in Translation, a film club screening French features in Paris for non-French speakers, joins us to discuss the merits of this "Black Mirror"-adjacent movie. We also discuss Pierre Schoeller's psychological thriller "Rembrandt" and reflect on the complexities at the centre of the troubled relationship between Yves Montand and Simone Signoret, as the actress and singer's lives are examined by Diane Kurys in "C'est Si Bon". And Manon flags up a Maurice Pialat retrospective at the Cinémathèque Française that provides an insight into the iconoclastic French filmmaker.

With his golden boy good looks, on-screen charisma, environmental convictions and commitment to supporting independent film, Robert Redford was a giant of Hollywood. As tributes pour in following his death at 89 years old, film critic Emma Jones and Redford's biographer Michael Feeney Callan reflect on his starring roles, his on-screen chemistry with legendary actresses and the strong convictions that saw him launch the Sundance Film Festival and, in doing so, change the face of contemporary American cinema.

In this episode of arts24, Eve Jackson sits down with one of the most celebrated British-Turkish novelists of our time, Elif Shafak. With over 20 books translated into more than 50 languages, Shafak believes fiction remains one of the last truly democratic spaces, where stories can build empathy, challenge polarisation and create connections across cultures. Her latest novel, "There Are Rivers in the Sky", takes readers on a sweeping journey through history and geography, tracing a single drop of water from ancient Mesopotamia to modern-day Iraq, against the urgent backdrop of climate crisis and cultural loss.

Hollywood is mourning one of its greatest actors and directors. Robert Redford has died at the age of 89, leaving behind a monumental cinematic legacy. A big screen icon, he played unforgettable roles, from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" to "Out of Africa" and made his mark as a director with classics such as "Ordinary People" and "A River Runs Through It". The founder of the Sundance Film Festival and a champion of independent cinema, Redford was also a committed advocate for the environment and civil liberties. With a career spanning more than six decades, he leaves an indelible mark on the history of cinema. FRANCE 24's Eve Jackson tells us more about his legacy.

In this episode of arts24, Eve Jackson is joined by Dheepthika Laurent to break down the standout moments from the 2025 Emmy Awards, including the history-making win for "Adolescence". The British drama shocked and moved audiences with its portrayal of a teenage boy radicalised by the online manosphere, earning 15-year-old Owen Cooper the award for Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series. We explore what makes "Adolescence" one of the most powerful shows of the year, and why it's already being used in classrooms to raise awareness about online extremism.

Harlem-based sculptor Kim Dacres brings her raw, unapologetic vision to Europe with "Crossroads Like This", now on view at the Zidoun-Bossuyt Gallery in Paris. Known for transforming discarded tyres into commanding forms, Dacres centres Black, queer and feminine identity in her work, shaping complex narratives of memory, resistance and cultural pride. From her Bronx studio to international acclaim, her voice is redefining what contemporary sculpture can say and who it represents. She spoke to us on arts24.

Born in Tehran and exiled in Paris, Golshifteh Farahani has become one of the faces of international cinema. At just 42, the Iranian actress has already appeared in more than 50 films in numerous languages. An outspoken artist and a strong voice for women's rights, she's presiding over the jury at this year's Deauville American Film Festival in Normandy. She spoke to FRANCE 24's Louise Dupont about her latest projects, her career choices and her perspective on Iran.

Filmmaker Kateryna Gornostai takes us to classrooms all over Ukraine in her latest documentary, as children and teenagers continue their education despite the ongoing Russian aggression. Amid the rubble and air raid sirens, "Timestamp" reveals the unwavering commitment of teachers to convey lifesaving, practical information as well as encouraging joy, beauty and laughter. Kateryna tells us about the reality of filming in an active conflict zone and why the war represents an existential attack on the very notion of Ukrainian identity. 

Actress Kim Novak receives a special tribute at the 51st American Film Festival in Deauville, while newcomers Cole Webley, Christian Swe­gal and first-time directors Scarlett Johansson and Kristen Stewart screen their features in the Normandy resort town. FRANCE 24's Genie Godula takes time out from her duties as mistress of ceremonies to bring us the highlights, with Pamela Anderson's Talent Prize kicking off this year's festival and a rich selection of documentaries and retrospectives also on the bill.