France in focus

By FRANCE 24 English

France in focus episodes

April 30, 2021 Bicentenary of Napoleon: A controversial legacy
This week, you find us outside Paris's military museum, the Invalides. It is the final resting place of one of France's most famous and most controversial figures, Napoleon Bonaparte. As 2021 marks the bicentenary of the emperor's death, his military, social and political legacy have sparked a heated debate, both here and abroad… proving a pickle for the government’s commemorative plans. We take a look back at this multi-faceted leader.
13 min
April 16, 2021 French agriculture in crisis: A challenge for tomorrow's farmers
While France is still Europe's agricultural powerhouse, the number of farmers is steadily falling, by almost 2 percent every year. Worse, an ageing workforce and a lack of new blood mean that around 15 percent of the current contingent is set to retire within the next five years, leaving many a homestead with no one to take over. But training schools have adapted to the times and are now prepping would-be farmers with a tasty combination of high-tech and old-school organic methods. We take a closer look and meet one young organic farmer.
14 min
April 09, 2021 Access to euthanasia: A French impasse?
This week we're putting the focus on a delicate issue: euthanasia. The right to die has yet to be legalised here in France, despite a majority of citizens supporting the move. But a year away from the next presidential poll, MPs are now piling the pressure on Emmanuel Macron to bring about a breakthrough via new legislation. We take a closer look at the legal situation in France and hear from specialist Philippe Bataille. Our reporters also meet Alain Cocq, an activist who's campaigning for the right to die.
14 min
April 02, 2021 The Paris Commune: A little-known revolution
This week we're up on the hill of Montmartre, as we put the focus on a little-known, yet defining chapter of French history: the Paris Commune. Walking around the picturesque area today, there’s little trace of the chaotic and deadly scenes that played out here just 150 years ago: a brutal civil war that came hot on the heels of a deadly Prussian siege. We look back at the Paris Commune and explore its legacy today. We also hear from historian Ludivine Bantigny.
12 min
March 19, 2021 The failings of France’s child protection system
With an annual budget of several billion euros, child protection is a leading social issue here, second only to education. And yet the sum doesn’t amount to much for these fragile youths, who struggle with the double trauma of losing their family before being propelled into the country’s placement scheme, resulting in a life of instability at best, and neglect and abuse at its worst. To tell us more about the failings of France’s child protection system, we meet former foster-child-turned-author-and-activist Lyes Louffok.
13 min
March 12, 2021 YouTube, Instagram, TikTok: Inside the world of French influencers
This week, we're focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of France's influencers. On YouTube, TikTok, blogs and Instagram, they count their followers in the millions. However, France's "content creators" are still in the process of exploring all the potential of their virtual sway. In this show we see how brands and marketing teams are actively harnessing this grassroots power. We also see how influencers are being included in political campaigns. Finally, we check out the online trends to look out for from social media stars in the future.
13 min
March 05, 2021 Covid-19 in France: How to prevent a mental health crisis?
Amid fear, anxiety, sleep deprivation, anger and isolation, it's certainly no surprise that cases of depression have more than doubled in France during the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. With authorities warning of a "third, mental health wave" of the pandemic, the country's psychiatric services are left to pick up the pieces. But historic underfunding and enduring social stigma only complicate matters further. To find out more, we speak to French psychiatrist Marion Leboyer.
13 min
February 26, 2021 Being a French expat during the Covid-19 pandemic
This week, we're putting the Focus on France's expat community. For French citizens living abroad, the pandemic has played out in a very different way than for their compatriots back home: from political responses to financial and professional consequences, not forgetting travel bans, each adoptive nation has had its own way of handling the crisis. Many expatriates have been left feeling that in times of trouble, there really is "no place like home". To find out more, we meet French diplomat Laurence Haguenauer, in charge of French citizens abroad.
13 min
February 12, 2021 The show must go on: French animation industry thrives despite Covid-19
This week, we're putting the focus on France's booming animation sector. While Hollywood rules supreme in the world of moviemaking, it's France that has become the global benchmark for animated films. That's perhaps not surprising, given that its origins here date back to the late 19th century. And while the pandemic may sadly have shut down movie theatres, French animation continues to find its audience online, both domestically and abroad. We tell you how it's managed to stay in the frame.
13 min
February 05, 2021 The ongoing fight for transgender rights in France
This week, we're focusing on France's transgender community. Around 80 percent of people who identify as transgender in France report having been the target of discrimination and/or violence. This worrying figure is only the tip of the iceberg for these men and women, who are caught in a double bind of administrative, medical and social challenges and the dire economic consequences of those obstacles. We bring you a first-hand account of two transgender citizens. We also speak to sociologist and researcher Emmanuel Beaubatie about how France treats its transgender population.
12 min