In this episode of Arts 24, we look at "Fall of Freedom" – a nationwide wave of performances, readings and public art events as artists across the United States mobilise against mounting censorship and political pressure on cultural institutions. Hundreds of theatres, museums, and libraries are taking part on November 21 and 22 in what organisers call an urgent stand for artistic freedom. Joining us from New York are two of the movement’s leading voices: Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright Lynn Nottage and visual artist Dread Scott. They discuss why they believe democracy is at risk, how cultural institutions are being pressured into silence, and why artists are uniting now. Among the stars participating in "Fall of Freedom" are filmmaker Michael Moore, director Ava DuVernay, musicians John Legend and Amanda Palmer, Pulitzer-winning novelist Jennifer Egan and visual artists Marilyn Minter. Events include staged readings, public art installations, concerts, film screenings, and library programs, all aimed at defending free expression.

Film critic Emma Jones joins Eve Jackson to unpack Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo's show-stopping return to Oz in Jon M. Chu’s "Wicked: For Good", the blockbuster sequel landing with sky-high expectations, brand-new music and even a headline-grabbing incident at its Asian premiere. But this week's arts24 film show has far more than pink bubbles and green glamour.

Producers and multi-instrumentalists Cate Le Bon, from Wales, and Ouri, who was born in French Guiana, joined Marjorie Hache to discuss their new albums and how much – or how little – location shapes their work. Ouri has just moved back to Paris after spending the past decade in Montreal. She recently released the electro acoustic pop gem “Daisy Cutter”. Cate Le Bon has relocated to South Wales after the end of a relationship, though her 7th album, “Michelangelo Dying”, was produced in Hydra, Cardiff and Joshua Tree. 

At first, its soft cushions, luxurious rugs and fine china evoke the warm hospitality of an Afghan home. Yet as the immersive theatrical experience progresses, the audience feels the walls closing in, the sky outside darkens and the narrator's stories become increasingly bleak in tone. "One's own room: Inside Kabul" is an artistic take on the circumstances Afghan women and girls are currently living in: limited to their homes, with scarce opportunities for education. Its co-creator, Caroline Gillet, tells us about creating this space based on the accounts of Raha and Marwa, the two Afghan women whose stories made up her award-winning podcast "Inside Kabul" after the Taliban seized power in 2021.

He creates images of a past, present and future that are tantalisingly close to reality: Phillip Toledano's approach to photography harnesses technology, style and a sharp sense of humour. He joins us to talk about his latest book "Another England" and tells us how manipulating these scenes using artificial intelligence brings another layer to our ideas about "truth". Phillip also talks about putting himself at the centre of his artwork, and we discuss the technological developments that are revolutionising the way we make and consume art and culture.

The Bataclan music venue has become synonymous with the Paris terror attacks of November 2015, when 130 people were killed, 90 of them while attending an Eagles of Death Metal concert at the Bataclan. Photographer Marion Ruszniewski was on assignment at the venue and was injured in the attack. Ten years on, she tells us about the events of that tragic evening, as well as her feelings about returning to work at the Bataclan a year later. Plus, as Marion publishes a book detailing two decades of concert photography, we discuss the resilient spirit that saw Parisians return to the bars, cafés and concert halls in the aftermath of the tragedy. 

French director Rebecca Zlotowski had dreamed of working with her ever since she first started making films: Jodie Foster now takes on the leading role in "Private Life" as a psychologist haunted by a mysterious disappearance. Film critic Manon Kerjean gives us her appraisal of the film, and points us in the direction of "Dossier 137", a tense police drama that draws on real-life events with compelling results. We also discuss the heartwarming, stylish "Love Letters" from Alice Douard and the origin story of one of Victor Hugo's most beloved characters, "Jean Valjean".

He created Jean-Paul Gaultier's Le Mâle at just 24 and gave the world Baccarat Rouge 540, the fragrance that conquered the internet. Now, master perfumer Francis Kurkdjian – head of his own perfume house and Perfume Creation Director at Christian Dior – unveils a new Paris exhibition, "Perfume: Sculpture of the Invisible", at the Palais de Tokyo, celebrating 30 years of his groundbreaking creations. He sat down with FRANCE 24's Culture Editor Eve Jackson to talk about the art of capturing emotion in scent, the viral success of Baccarat Rouge 540 and how he's redefining fragrance as a true form of art.

American rockers We Are Scientists are pioneers of the indie sleaze movement and are currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of their groundbreaking album "With Love and Squalor". It's a double celebration for the group, as they have also just released their latest album "Qualifying Miles". FRANCE 24's music editor Jennifer Ben Brahim chatted with them before their Parisian concert, as part of their European tour.

In this edition of our arts24 music show, Jennifer Ben Brahim chats with French multi-instrumentalist and producer Max Baby. A career in music was always on the cards for him, having made a drumkit at age six out of old biscuit tins. He dropped his debut record in 2024, and a year on is back with his EP "Break". It's a blend of post-modern indie, alt-rock and electro, and deals with the aftermath of losing control and the quiet that follows. He is also embarking on a European tour, with his first Parisian headline show.