In the Pacific Ocean people have a passion for the sea. This collection of half-hour portraits presents endearing people living for and by the sea like the surf teacher, the marine reseacher, the coast guard, the environmental activist or the fisherman. SEA PORTRAITS goes to different...

In North Korea, the Kims’ communist dynasty has tried to become a nuclear power since the Cold War. While it kept unrelentingly at its plan, the USA went through 13 Presidents, each with its own vision. This became the Kims big advantage. This film is the riveting account of a...

The Philippines have all the attributes of a tropical paradise, but it has become hell for drug dealers. Indeed, since his election in 2016, President Rodrigo Duterte has declared war on the gangs and drug trafficking. He has given a free rein to the police and the armed forces to shoot...

The fast food sector counts now 34,000 outlets, 3 times the number 10 years ago. Every day, millions of French people visit these restaurants bypassing traditional ones as a result of a short lunch break and attractive prices. This market turnover has doubled in 8 years. But in the...

They are between 16 and 30 years old and one day their lives become upended by sickness. Cancer, Crohn’s disease, diabetes. These are the scourges of the century. Despite their youth, they are brutally touched in their flesh, their blood or their head. Some even see death face to...

Africa has been confronted to major food shortages. This series look at some exciting food stories coming from that continent. Successful new cultures and practices have been implemented to deal with the situation and allow families to feed themselves. More surprisingly, these experiences...

The years from 2001 to 2011 have been plagued by Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden. But to understand how this former business student from a wealthy Saudi family became the leader of the international jihadist movement, we must go back in time and dive into the various episodes of the wars in...

Following President Dilma Rousseff's impeachment, Brazil has entered a time of great political instability. The members of Parliament who drove her out are often corrupt themselves and charged for that, sometimes even for murder. Between democracy and government graft, this film...

In South Brazil, the city of Aura is almost entirely populated with descendants of a Polish community which settled here in 1911. Today, some of them try to keep that history alive so that the grit of these pioneers and the difficulties they had to overcome may serve as an example to all....

10 years ago, Brazil was on top of the world with the exploitation of huge underwater gas and oil fields. Today, Brazil’s hopes have been crushed and the national company, Petrobras, is caught in a huge corruption scandal. The market has collapsed and so did the profitability of...

Burma’s democratic process is making headlines but the minorities issue is being largely ignored. One of the oldest guerilla in the world is led in Northern Burma by the Kachin people, which has been fighting for over 60 years against the central government to preserve its language,...

Nowadays in Bolivia, children as young as 10-year-old are legally at work. They can be seen everywhere. If this regulation outrages international organisations, the children themselves and their union that led the campaign in favour of lowering the legal working age welcomed it. This law...

China is steeped in rich history, tradition and culture but with a population of over a billion people, it is also a land where countless personal tales unfold every day. CHINA CLOSE-UP takes an intimate look at stories of love, life and longing providing a riveting insight at the daily...

Several months after the facts this report delves into the Concordia disaster by questioning the safety of cruises. These giants of the seas embark each year thousands of passengers. What are their risks?

Pink for girls and blue for boys. These color codes have always defined consumers by sex. However a recent study has revealed that not only manufacturers differentiate products by their customers’ gender but also charge different prices. The medias are taken by storm, social...

What do popes eat? How do people eat in the Vatican? From Eve’s apple to the miracles, food has always had a special place among Roman Catholics. This film opens the lid on a little known world: the gastronomy of the Vatican.

Workers were once at the vanguard of the Chinese socialist revolution. Today, they are employed to generate private profits, submitted to state policies, molded to fit the needs of the country's market economy. But behind this new proletariat lie moving human stories. FACTORY TOWNS,...

In 2004, Falluja in Irak, became the theater of a major showdown between the American soldiers and the Iraqi insurgents. But even though the sounds of this harsh battle have died down a long time ago the consequences are only showing now. And they are of the toxic kind. Babies are born...

After a series of FBI arrests, FIFA has emerged as a totally corrupt organization in the eyes of the world. Rigged elections, World Cup competitions bought, bribes, arrests… the news of recent months has brought world football’s leading body to the ground. Sepp Blatter, FIFA...

In fifteen years, from the 9/11 attacks against the World Trade Center to those in Paris in November 2015, dramatic and deadly strikes have been targeting Western countries like never before and have changed the face of the world. In between these two major events, the aggressions and...

Today, more than 40 giant aquariums compete for 3 million tourists who come to admire the marine fauna. To attract them, these destinations are going after the ultimate star: the shark. Casting a squale means, at least, 20% more visitors per year. But to work it must be a massive and...

The concentrated fruit syrup is making a comeback. Formerly defeated by sodas, syrup sales are nowadays only a tad behind those of its main rival as well as fruit juices. It owes its success above all to its price, it is 8 times cheaper than a bottle of juice. Whats’ bad for the...

To prepare their holidays, the French are turning more and more to online booking websites. Booking, Expedia or Venere share the hotel market on the Internet. These sites claim to offer the best deals. But are the prices displayed truly cheaper than those charged directly by the hotels?...

Today, there are nearly 600,000 housekeepers legally employed in France. Twice that number could be working undeclared. Many of them took this occupation out of necessity. They are disregarded, poorly paid and have no security. These women often have multiple employers and work long...

On November 13, 2015, a new terrorist organization strikes at the heart of a major Western capital: Paris. The toll is terrible giving ISIS an overnight and sinister fame. What is this terrorist group? Who are its men? Why going after France and the West? How did we let such a monster...

An active sex ring exists between France and Belgium. In Flanders, just 15 minutes from Lille, 70% of the prostitutes are French. To make ends meet, they work in brothels in Belgium. They are unemployed saleswomen, part-time nurses, even graduates. They entered this profession as a...

Kidzania is an unusual amusement park in Tokyo. Kids come here to experience what’s an adult working day is like by trying the job of their dreams. At hands they have a real plane cabin, a full size TV studio or firemen trucks. Everything is highly realistic. But thanks to sponsors,...

Kim-Jong Il was the most secretive political leader on earth. A grotesque dictator with a finger on the nuclear trigger. Starting from a personality profile of this schizophrenic dictator through exclusive testimonies, this film offers a geopolitical analysis of the Korean peninsula based...

He is the living God of the 9th nuclear power of the world. He is a Western educated young man and a basketball fan but raised in secrecy to take over the commands of the North Korean regime, the first communist dynasty in history. From him we only have amusing, absurd and sometimes...

Imagine a civilization where there is no marriage, free love, where men do little work, don’t inherit property and where women head families and manage the economy. Enter the Women’s Kingdom of the Mosuos in China and follow an unusual love story in the world's last...

After wine and cheese, the macaroon is the new flagship of French gastronomy. It has become the fashionable pastry. More than 510 million are sold every year. The origin of this success can be traced to the legendary Parisian tea salon, Ladurée. Ever since, the macaroon is...

They cut the hands of thieves, veil women, prohibit music and dance ... This is an exclusive report from northern Mali where Islamist extremists have imposed their laws. A vision of Islam that many Malians do not adhere to so they flee to the capital, Bamako, where they can still enjoy...

The melon is one of the star fruits of summer, but its culture hides many surprises. The most reknown region where it is grown is Cavaillon, in the south of France, but the fruit can also be found further north or from the other side of the Mediterranean.

2013. Five young Afghans decide to take a shot at a better life and migrate to Europe, more specifically Paris their dream destination. Then begins a two-year 12,000 kms long journey, across six borders and full of first times: the ocean, girls in mini-skirts, bars, skyscrapers…...

Nail polish is enjoying a resurgence worldwide. Long regarded as a basic beauty accessory, it is now very trendy. With nearly 10 million bottles sold in 2011, it is the flagship product of fashion. In France alone nail polish is a prosperous market of around 74 million euros.

In 2011, the sudden death of Kim Jung Il brought to power his Western educated son and basket-ball fan Kim Jun-un, 30. But very quickly any hope of liberalization raised by the new leadership faded in front of the dictatorial logic of the first communist dynasty in History. This is the...

Chinese in Paris form a secretive community which feeds many fantasies and resentment, prominently for taking control of whole districts of the capital. In fact, the dazzling success of some of them is built on hard work and a powerful network between villagers from the same region of...

The French capital is swarming with prolific, sometimes disturbing, hidden life. From the world of sewers filled with rats to the subway kingdom of the cicadas, we take a deep breath and plunge into the weird and grim jungle of the Parisian underworld. Strangely, these creatures we see as...

Without knowing it, we use every day products that pollute our home. When we buy a liquid of maintenance for floors, we have in our hands a cocktail of VOC (volatile organic compound). When we acquire a piece of furniture, he is often agglomerated wood and releases in the atmosphere of...

The French social security system was 16 billion euros in the red in 2013. Savings for the government can come from lowering the price of drugs. Indeed, every minute, health insurance reimburses 43,800 € for various capsules or tablets. Why is there such an overconsumption of drugs?...

While Brazil elects a far-right President, this film focuses on the humiliations suffered by the destitute. How are they viewed by the rest of the population? Is the fear felt by the privileged justified? Thought in-depth interviews and testimonies, this much needed film shows how race...

In the last 30 years cooking time has been cut by half in developed countries. Fixing diner today often means warming up food contained in a plastic pouch, a can or a brick. In a world where every minute counts, ready-made meals enjoy a scalding success. You can’t argue the...

Julien, Lea and Felix are barely 20. Like their comrades, their lives will radically change in a few months. They are learning a profession but also values and rules. They also realize that they will never be citizens like anyone else. Their lives and their careers will be dedicated to...

Mullah Omar, the Afghan Taliban leader, is one of the most controversial and enigmatic men on the planet. Even after a decade of foreign military presence, we still know absolutely nothing about him. Is he a dreadful Islamist? Has he been branded evil to justify a military intervention in...

Wikipedia has become the 6th most visited website in the world, but users know little about the collaborative encyclopedia’s rules, operation and trustworthiness. Indeed, anyone can modify the online articles as he wishes. Content is not exactly secure, so one has to rely on the...

This info-educational series targeted at young viewers uncovers amazing and unusual customs, rites, rituals, traditions, jobs and even hobbies of teens in Asia. Get an insight into curious worlds and experience the contrast of growing up in neighboring countries.

More than 5 million immigrants live in France and, when the temperature warms, most of them feel the urge to spend the holidays in their homeland. This trip back takes the whole winter to prepare. Every summer, over a million answer this call and hit the roads on their way to Portugal,...

Every summer, from May to September, 2 million youngsters converge in Ibiza. A typical day’s schedule is always the same. Early afternoon, when the clubs are closing (here one sleeps only a few hours piled up in tiny pensions), the party-goers head to the trendy beaches. Beach clubs...

In 1979, with the launching of Action Directe, France followed the path of its German and Italian neighbors with the emergence of a domestic terrorist violence which culminated with the murders of army General Audran in 1985 and of the head of Renault Georges Besse in 1986. The following...

Each year, various weapons are being tested on military zones in Europe. Near Bourges, France, the army has exploded thousands of shells with depleted uranium. In Sardinia, Italy, tens of thousands of missiles have been launched, in the open air, by NATO armies and arms manufacturers. In...

Since its launch in 1981, the TGV has transported 2 billion passengers. But this technological marvel is not immune from failures: deficits running in the billions of euros, frequent delays, expensive tickets. Why is a Paris-Bordeaux ticket so costly during the school holidays even when...

Cannabis is the third most used psychoactive product in France. What has changed is the age of first time users: 12 or 13 years-old. This trend has the scientists worried because early consumption means a higher risk of dependency compounded by the fact that cannabis has changed in the...

Chinese new middle class can now enjoy a sport they knew nothing about until recently : skiing. And they love it! This is not about trying some daredevil manoeuvres on the runs; so far skiing remains a quiet family experience. However, this craze has led to a shortage of adequate...

In summer, some love to bask in the sun but for those who dread the heat there is only one solution: invest in an air conditioner. Sales of these machines have gone through the roof in France since the heat wave of 2003. But when you are ready to make a purchase, the choice can be quite...

In the courthouses a micro-society has developed, a coterie made up of people from every walk of life who attend trials in much the same way as others go to shows, plays or movies. This foray into the world of courtroom buffs introduces us to a host of colorful, fascinating, even touching...

They are numerous diet plans available but one has been especially successful: the Dukan diet, named after its inventor, Pierre Dukan, a specialist in eating behaviours. His recommendation is simple: eat only proteins. However, this high-protein diet is starting to be debunked by some...

In just 3 months, tourist guides make more than half their annual turnover. But competition is fiercer than ever, especially in recent years when new players have disrupted the market. On the French Riviera, an agency is offering turnkey circuits at rock bottom prices. More striking yet,...

They take risks and face extreme situations. They climb mountains and cross oceans. Yet, they are disabled. Paul and Henri set out to descend the rocky inlets near Marseilles thanks to all-terrain wheelchairs and volunteers who accompany them. They share everything from pain to laughters....

Liu Xiaobo, the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize winner, hero of the 1989 Tiananmen student’s uprising, was imprisoned for 9 years and released in 2017 only to die a few weeks later. However, his name stays little known as the Chinese regime has done everything possible to erase it from our...

It was the symbol of women emancipation but the pill is now being challenged. Cases of stroke, phlebitis and pulmonary embolism - sometimes leading to the death of young women taking so-called "3rd and 4th generation" pills - have raised an important debate about contraception....

THE PLACE WE LIVE IN is an eye-opening series depicting the dire, unexpected, poor or rural circumstances in which some people are living around the world. Our hosts are travelling to meet locals and, by bonding with them, they finally understand how their positive attitudes towards life...

Two years ago this visionnary film showcased how Chira was acquiring Western technology though economic intelligence and how the West complacently let this happen. In 2006, 70% of patents used in mainland China came from abroad. The aim is to reverse this trend by 2020. To achieve this,...

Are seeds a commodity or a vital resource to be shared for the benefit of Humanity like the water we drink or the air we breathe? In the near future, farmers might lose the right to plant their own seeds. Indeed, in Europe, a regulation is emerging which will impose strict controls on the...

This two-hour special focuses on sustainable development and, more specifically, on innovative solutions developped to adress social, environmental and economic issues in a way that does not jeopardize the future of our planet. From Thailand to Senegal and France we follow the action of...

There was a time when fashionable destinations for vacationers looking for sun, clear water and historical monuments were Tunisia or Egypt. But the "Arab Spring" came by and nowadays tourists are opting for more politically stable countries and Turkey is benefiting greatly from...

He lost the general election with an historic margin of 3 millions votes, lied to the press and to the public during the whole campaign, pushing his country into a post truth era. In the shadows of the new President lies a mysterious man who has poured millions of dollars into...

This collection looks at human societies the world over under six themes: families, women, becoming an adult, water, Man and Nature, Man and Animal. This extremely novel approach is an unique mix of discovery, anthropology and sociology. Each episode focuses on one part of the world and...

From East to West, Niger is crossed by a river of the same name which, until now, provided for those living nearby. Meanwhile, the Sahara desert, pushed by winds from the north, is advancing relentlessly. Sand has been carried as far as the river, engulfing the banks. In just a few...

In the North-East of Congo is a region known as the "basin". Situated in the heart of a marshy floodplain and stricken by the equatorial climate, this area gets over 150 days of rain per year. Since 1912, the city of Mossaka that lays in the middle of the basin is the main...

Three journalists were the guinea pigs of an unprecedented experience. For several weeks each followed a specific diet while being subjected to medical tests. The results are alarming: eating can be detrimental to your health. Salmon with pesticides, pork and chicken with antibiotics,...

Industrial cheeses sold as local products. So-called "professional" pans imported from China. Everything goes to lure tourists. In 2009, we investigated France summer markets scams, 2 years later do these practices still exist? On one market, a cheese producer pointed out...

Marseille is famous for its “Bonne-Mère” basilica, the old port going back 26 centuries and its football team. But beyond these legitimate attractions is one that is even more typical: the bouillabaisse. The city has cleverly grasped the impact of this essential of...

To get a smooth skin or eliminate cellulite it is no longer necessary, today, to go into the operating room for a facelift or a liposuction. Each year in France, nearly 400,000 people are injected anti-wrinkle products. But are these new techniques which generate 4 billion euros in sales...

How did the famous premium hotels network, conceived after WWII by a couple of music hall artists, became the most profitable association in the world of tourism? At the beginning were only 7 hotels along the Paris-Nice road. Today, Relais & Châteaux success has indeed been...

What if the essence of a country was in the plates? Today’s tourists are looking beyond landmarks and stunning views in search for new flavors, local products and their stories but also how to cook them. For these taste explorers, the adventure is not necessarily very far. From one...

Infamous as a high crime area in France, the department of Seine-Saint-Denis has been appointed a Security Company, known as "CS 93". It is representative of a new police organization. This film follows this new police unit in the sensitive neighbourhoods trying to understand...