arts24

Get ready for your ultimate cinema fix! This week on arts24, Eve Jackson and film critic Emma Jones dive into the hottest summer movie releases – from the psychological pandemic drama "Eddington" to the blockbuster reboot of "Superman", plus the colourful new "Smurfs" adventure. Discover why Joaquin Phoenix's latest film grapples with the turmoil of 2020, how James Gunn's Superman brings heart and humour back to the Man of Steel and why Rihanna's Smurfette steals the show in the beloved reboot. Plus, get a sneak peek at upcoming films this summer, including Luc Besson's "Dracula" and Pedro Pascal's sci-fi epic "The Fantastic Four: First Steps".

For three weeks every summer, the streets of the southern French city of Avignon are overrun with performances of all kinds, from classical drama to spontaneous stand-up comedy. FRANCE 24’s Olivia Salazar-Winspear went to check out this year’s programme, as festival director Tiago Rodrigues invites Arabic-speaking artists to show their work as part of his guest language initiative.

On today's music show on Arts24, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with British musician, poet, playwright and author Kae Tempest. He started busking at just sixteen years old at open mic nights and raves. Music and self expression became a lifeline for the Brit who recently transitioned. 4 critically acclaimed albums and two Mercury Prize nominations under his belt, Kae is back with ‘Self Titled’. A deeply personal project, about resistance, doubt and hope.

As the Haute Couture collections wrap up in the French capital, we take a look at some of the highlights in a season where arrivals and departures have cast a shadow over many of the major houses' collections. Fashion editor Samantha Tse talks us through a transitional collection for Chanel, as the label awaits the arrival of its new artistic director, Matthieu Blazy. Echoing the Met museum's glitzy annual gala, the Bal d'Eté in Paris brought together celebrities like Keira Knightley, Sofia Coppola, Penelope Cruz and Diane Kruger to raise funds for the Louvre's Decorative Arts Museum.

Join arts24 presenter Eve Jackson on an exclusive journey inside the Grand Egyptian Museum – a colossal cultural masterpiece just a mile from the Great Pyramids of Giza. The museum's grand debut has faced multiple delays and was set to open this July, but ongoing tensions in the Middle East have pushed back the opening once again, making this your rare opportunity to explore its wonders ahead of time. 

Film critic Perrine Quennesson tells us why Palme d’Or-winning director Julia Ducournau's latest feature "Alpha" divided critics when it screened at Cannes. She explains how leading actor Tahar Rahim transformed himself for the role and salutes the French filmmaker's imaginative use of imagery in her daring films.

"House of Cards" actress Robin Wright speaks to Genie Godula from the Monte Carlo Television festival, where she received a special career honour. The Crystal Nymph Award pays tribute to her 40 years in the TV industry. Wright talks about her career choices, her family and the fight for equal pay with her male counterparts. 

This week on arts24, Eve Jackson is in the studio while our reporter Olivia Salazar-Winspear is on the ground at one of the world’s most iconic theatre gatherings – the Avignon Festival in southern France. Now in its 79th year, the event is turning heads with a bold and timely focus on Arabic-language works, shining a light on one of France’s most spoken – yet still underrepresented – languages on stage. Festival director Tiago Rodrigues continues his mission to open up theatre to new audiences with a more inclusive and international approach. This year’s programme features powerful performances from Morocco to Palestine, and even a Sheherazade-inspired opening show at the majestic Palais des Papes.

Culture Editor Eve Jackson looks back on the career of the prolific star Michael Madsen, best known for his roles in Quentin Tarantino's "Reservoir Dogs", "Kill Bill: Vol. 2", "The Hateful Eight" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". The American actor died suddenly on Thursday at the age of 67. Eve also covers the long-awaited Oasis reunion tour kicking off this Friday and celebrates musical icon Angélique Kidjo, who has become the first Black African singer to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In this edition of arts24: the first of the Oasis brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher's concerts in Cardiff kicks off a 41-date world tour; a landmark exhibition celebrates a master of Post-Impressionism – Paul Cézanne – in Aix-en-Provence, the French city where he grew up; and we shine a spotlight on Bollywood leading lady Alia Bhatt, who talks about her new female-led spy drama, "Alpha".