Philippe Pouchain

It is with a semblance of chronology and to the rhythm of Antoine De Caunes' not unpleasant voice-over that we are told the story of this unusual troublemaker, who, with his extraordinary ease of writing, put the competition light years away in the 1980s. A mini-documentary that reminds us, if it were necessary, that intellectual buffoonery died with Pierre Desproges.

At last, a film on the history of clowns, these poets of the absurd, these “men under construction” as the poet Henri Michaux described them. From the beginning of the 20th century with Charlie Chaplin, to the present day with James Thierrée, his grandson, this archival film relates the evolution of clowns across the world, identifies affinities and marks breaking points. The whole range of the art of the clown is represented, from Popov’s and Slava’s obsession with perfection, to Fratellini’s or Semianyki’s clumsiness as art. A saga like a wild poetic gospel, which showcases their humorous dimension but also underscores their tragic aspect. With complex characters such as Buster Keaton and Jacques Tati, who make us shiver by the accuracy of their take on the human condition and remind us, with Fellini, that clowns don the ridiculousness of mankind.

A story of passion between Jean Cocteau, Pygmalion poet, novelist, designer, playwright and avant-garde film-maker and Jean Marais, a popular actor, "well-loved" chameleon and legend of French cinema. They shared a unique relationship which, from 1937 to 1963, combined the art of loving with the inordinate love of arts.

With his popular culture, prolific imagination, and verbal alchemy, Michel Audiard revolutionized cinema in the 1950s and 1960s. Alongside his mentor and friend Jean Gabin, his writing partner Albert Simonin, and his favorite actors Bernard Blier, Lino Ventura, and Michel Serrault, we find his verve and innate sense of repartee, which alone reflect the spirit of the French people and language. From elegance to cheekiness, cynicism to tenderness, he made words speak like no one else. Between the expressions he stole from bar counters to refine them and his encyclopedic knowledge of French culture, he created a unique style and ranks alongside Prévert and Jeanson as one of the greatest dialogue writers in French cinema.

Success is inevitable for a musical in which Fred Astaire appears - if it was also written by one of the most talented composers of his time. Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, George Gershwin - all these brilliant composers knew how to deal with the fact that not only Astaire's legs are like an instrument, but that his whole being is filled with music.

A biography of the French actress Arletty.

Her chansons made her world-famous: Juliette Gréco. The French singer and actress died on September 23 at the age of 93. To mark the occasion, ARTE is repeating a portrait of the singer from 2012, which was made for her 85th birthday. At that time, she gave one concert after another...