Director Mohammad Rasoulof had escaped a prison sentence in Iran just days before his latest film screened at the Cannes Film Festival this year. "The Seed of the Sacred Fig" went on to stun critics and win the Jury Prize. Critic Emma Jones tells us why it was her favourite film of the festival and how Rasoulof managed to incorporate the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests to great effect. We also discuss Francis Ford Coppola's epic project "Megalopolis" and see James McAvoy in a chilling new...

Australian author Anna Funder talks to Dheepthika Laurent about her latest book "Wifedom", a part-fiction, part non-fiction and part-hybrid novel about Eileen O'Shaughnessy. She was the highly educated wife of George Orwell, who played a pivotal but largely uncredited role in his career. Anna Funder also responds to criticism by the Orwell Society that the book portrayed Orwell as "maleficent" and talks about what propelled her to leave her career as a government lawyer to pursue writing...

Olivia Salazar-Winspear and Dheepthika Laurent take a look at all the winners, losers and surprises from the 2024 Emmy Awards ceremony, including historic wins for American-Japanese epic "Shogun" in the drama category. Also: they look at season four of irreverent British spy drama "Slow Horses" and a new season of Ryan Murphy's true crime series based on the story of the Menendez brothers, who killed their parents in 1989. Plus: don't miss "La Maison", a new "Succession"-style family drama à...

Navid Sinaki speaks to Dheepthika Laurent on arts24 about how much of his own story is echoed in his novel "Medusa of the Roses". It traces an illicit gay romance in modern-day Iran and explores a little-known reality: that the government subsidises sex changes for gay people willing to transition. He also talks about visiting Iran for last time in his 20s, the vibrant Iranian cinema industry and the "Woman, Life, Freedom" movement, launched after the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022.

Eve Jackson brings you a roundup of the week's arts and entertainment news, including pop megastar Taylor Swift's domination of the MTV Video Music Awards. Earlier this week, Swift drew more than 10 million likes on her Instagram page for her post endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris in the November US election. Listen to her rally the fans to register to vote in the US presidential election in November. 

We're live at the Deauville American Film Festival with Genie Godula, who brings us the highlights from this year's 50th edition, including Francis Ford Coppola's screening of his latest film "Megalopolis", a talent award for Natalie Portman and a transformational role for Juliette Lewis in "The Thicket". Eve Jackson also brings you the rest of the week's film news, including the French premiere of "BeetleJuice Beetlejuice", where we hear from director Tim Burton, Michael Keaton and Winona...

From France's new immersive Viking city to a first look at Paris's restored and spectacular Jacquemart André museum and a celebration of the 100th birthday of the surrealism movement at Paris's Pompidou Centre, arts24 takes you on a trip to some of the best art shows and museums to visit this season. We also meet the toddlers whose art is selling for thousands.

Fresh from her performance at the Stade de France, award winning electronic artist Irene Dresel joins us this week on Arts24 to share her impressions of the 2024 Paralympics closing ceremony and how she's looking forward to touring her recent album "Rose Fluo". We also speak to French guitarist Waxx who rose to fame through collaborating with famous Francophone acts and covering cherished classics. He's set to play at Paris's cabaret music hall Folies Bergères (dates all sold out) after...

FRANCE 24’s Genie Godula brings us the latest from the 50th edition of the American Festival in Deauville, as Hollywood stars flock to the beach resort on the Normandy coast. As Michael Douglas receives a special award for his career in cinema, we take a look back at the actor and producer’s love affair with France. The seaside setting has always had a starring role in the festival’s success and we learn more about the enduring appeal of its iconic boardwalk and celebrity-themed beach huts. 

It’s arguably the biggest show in the world: Epic performances involving some 3,000 dancers, breath-taking musical numbers and a constellation of stars. Director of choreography Maud le Pladec and artist Lucky Love join us on Arts 24 to talk about creating and executing the performance of a lifetime, as they reflect on the Paralympic opening ceremony at the Place de la Concorde in Paris. We discuss the messages of unity, inclusion and diversity that artistic director, Thomas Jolly, wanted to...

Showcasing upcoming movies starring Daniel Craig, Tilda Swinton, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt and George Clooney, there’s a generous dose of Hollywood glamour at this year’s Venice Film festival. Film critic Emma Jones brings us the latest from La Serenissima, and flags up some of the major new releases which could be in the running for the top prize: the Golden Lion.

His first improvisation session was on the violin as a small child, but when Immanuel Wilkins switched to the saxophone, his musical destiny was sealed. His critically acclaimed début, "Omega", was released in 2020 on the Blue Note label and in the four years since then, Wilkins has explored many different facets of jazz with his quartet. As he embarks upon a European tour, the musician tells us about exploring the Blues and its meaning for Black history and identity on his latest record. We...

On today's arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with Thibaut de Longeville, director of the award-winning documentary series "DJ Mehdi: Made in France". The French-Tunisian producer was one of the rare musicians to unite the worlds of hip-hop and electro as well as being synonymous with the Ed Banger label – the pioneers of the "French Touch" movement. DJ Mehdi passed away in September 2011 after a tragic accident; he was only 34 years old. The six-part documentary series weaves...

Photojournalist Jérôme Gence has turned his lens on "The Screen Generation", documenting the daily lives of young people immersed in a digital culture that englobes both the virtual and real worlds, often at the same time. As his exhibition goes on show at the 36th Visa Pour L'Image photojournalism festival, Jérôme tells us about what he discovered while making the series, including the psychological consequences of childhoods illuminated by the glow of tablets and smartphones. We also...

Eve Jackson brings us a wrap of the week's arts and entertainment news, including the "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" starry red carpet at Venice and Sigourney Weaver's news conference, where the three-time Oscar nominee got teary when asked about her powerful roles inspiring women such as US presidential candidate Kamala Harris. Also on the show, the Oasis reunion and a look at the pioneering work of late French female street artist Miss.Tic.

As "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" stars arrive at the Venice Film Festival for its opening, film critic Emma Jones speaks to presenter Eve Jackson from the Lido about some of the most anticipated films of the Mostra, including Luca Guadagnino's "Queer", starring Daniel Craig, "Joker: Folie à Deux", with Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga and Chilean director Pablo Larrain's "Maria", starring Angelina Jolie. We also review the French film of the week, "Visiting Hours" by Patricia Mazuy, starring this...

From the tranq dope crisis in Philadelphia to voodoo in Benin, Belgian photojournalist Gaël Turine speaks to Eve Jackson on arts24 about his award-winning work. Over the past 25 years, his photographs have been widely exhibited throughout Europe and the world. He's also regularly published in the international press. Gaël Turine has taken some startling and uncomfortable photos in a series being shown in the south of France at the Visa Pour L’image photojournalism festival, entitled "The...

On today’s music show on Arts24, Jennifer Ben Brahim takes us backstage at one of France’s biggest music festivals: Rock en Seine. The 20th edition had an impressive lineup including Lana Del Rey, Massive Attack and Kasabian. The Olympics were also front and centre at Rock en Seine this year, with the festival showcasing the shared values between music and sports.

With its breathtaking location on the Mediterranean, Marseille is one of the French cities hosting the 2024 Olympics. The Games are a perfect opportunity to promote its cultural wealth to the world. Join Eve Jackson for a special show about the French city going for gold when it comes to music, food and the arts. We meet 3-star Michelin chef and former professional basketball player Alexandre Mazzia, who's an Olympic torchbearer and one of the chefs chosen to cook for the athletes. We also...

As FRANCE 24 takes a look at the artistic and cultural iterations of the Olympic Games, fashion designer Stéphane Ashpool invites us into his Paris workshop to get a sneak preview of his creations for the French athletes competing this summer. With a modern take on French heritage, Ashpool blends his love for sports and his eye for detail in these hi-tech garments.

For the 2024 Olympics, Paris has become an open-air art gallery. In part three of our arts24 Olympic series, we talk to American artist Alison Saar, who was commissioned to create an Olympic sculpture at the foot of the famous Paris avenue, the Champs-Élysées. The work, entitled "The Salon", shows a Black woman holding an olive branch and a golden flame – designed for the city of lights by an artist from the city that will host the next Games in 2028, Los Angeles.

For the Paris 2024 Olympics, dancer, choreographer and photographer Mathieu Forget invited athletes to dance with him for a series of jaw-dropping photographs in iconic cultural spots around France. Through these gravity-defying photos with athletes, the Frenchman has succeeded in making photography an Olympic art. In part two of our arts24 Olympic shows, Mathieu Forget speaks to Eve Jackson about working with fencing double world champion Enzo Lefort in Paris's Petit Palais, playing handball...

The summer sees the return of hit shows “Emily in Paris” and “Only Murders in the Building” for their fourth seasons. Dheepthika Laurent tells us why – love them or hate them – the new instalments of those series are set to delight their loyal fans. We learn more about Natalie Portman’s limited series “Lady in the Lake”, a slick crime drama adaptation of Laura Lippman’s 2019 novel. Rashida Jones stars in “Sunny”, a dark comedy set in Japan exploring grief and AI, and Netflix series “The Man...

We take a look at some of the summer blockbusters filling air-conditioned movie theatres around the globe, as film critic Lisa Nesselson showcases some of the more enticing meteorological, extraterrestrial and fantastical pictures coming to the big screen. Jacque Audiard’s award-winning “Emilia Perez” opens in French cinemas after a warm reception at the Cannes Film festival, and with Paris poised to welcome the Olympic Games, we check out a documentary following the city’s preparations. A...

Forging his own artistic path in the shadow of Afrobeat superstar Fela Kuti was a challenge that his son, Femi Kuti, struggled with in the early years of his career, he reveals. The Nigerian musician joins us in the studio to discuss the highs and lows of growing up with a globally celebrated artist and to explain how his own activism aligns with his father’s political positions. We also talk about breaking the world record for the longest note on the saxophone, the corruption that holds back...