Fancy watching something cultural for the weekend? Take a look at the brand new English-subtitled free on demand offer by Arte!
Arte - the Franco-German channel of culture and leading European producer of quality documentaries, news and info magazines, short films, drama, music TV and more launched last week (17th Nov 2015) a brand new online TV offer with English and Spanish subtitled programmes available to anyone with an internet connection in the UK and worldwide at www.arte.tv/en and www.arte.tv/es. Take a look at our pick of the week below;
The capital cities of France and Germany have developed throughout three tumultuous centuries of history; a fruitful rivalry between two fascinating cities. The series narrates, in four episodes, the evolution of the two capitals: a fascinating duel that results in two opposing models, neither possible without the other. Admiring or critical, an example or a contrast, neither city can ever be indifferent to the other.
Produced by Frédéric Wilner, the series offers a stunning bird's eye view of the two cities whilst offering a detailed look at their entangled roots. Since the 1700s, five wars have been fought between Paris and Berlin. Each defeat has only increased each side's hunger to overcome the opponent. The competition has proven to be a driving force for innovation and creativity on both sides, catalysing the development of new cityscapes.
Political and social events have left their mark on architecture and urbanism. This ambitious series charts that history through the stories of these two unique cities.
Episode One: Brothers and Foes - In 1650, París had 350,000 inhabitants, and Berlín barely 15,000. This first episode is the story of a fascination: the fascination that drives a small city called Berlin to look towards the prestigious city of Paris for inspiration.
Episode Two: The Race to Modernity - In 1806, Napoleon's troops enter Berlin. The French occupation increases Prussian nationalism, but also causes a dramatic modernisation of the kingdom and its capital. By 1870, Berlin is nipping at Paris' heels - but following a very different urban model.
Episode Three: Face to Face - France suffers a terrible humiliation in the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles; the conqueror is now the conquered. This third episode recounts the transformation of Berlin, now an imperial capital, while Paris gradually revives the notoriety of yesteryear…
Episode Four: The Shock - After World War One, Paris was able to rise from the ashes, but Berlin continued to suffer the aftermath. The situation is soon made far worse by Hitler's madness and envy.
Further programmes to enjoy online at www.arte.tv/en
A selection of documentaries (culture, history, society, science, geopolitics, exploration and investigation): Climate Special, Paris-Berlin Destinies Intertwined, Europe of Writers
ARTE's flagship magazine shows: Tracks, Arte Reportage, Metropolis
Also featuring: Mapping the World, Square, FutureMag, Yourope, Vox Pop, Xenius, Street Philosophy, the BiTS web magazine and more.
Live recordings from shows on the ARTE Concert platform: world music, theatre, opera, pop, rock, jazz or dance.
ARTE in English and ARTE en español are available online and feature subtitled versions - in English and Spanish respectively - of a selection of 600 hours of fact-based European programmes, excluding the channel's newscasts, drama and films. This selection of programmes will encompass ARTE's flagship magazine shows, including web programmes, a large number of documentaries embodying the channel's editorial line, and live recordings of performances. An average of 11 to 12 hours of new programmes will go online each week, for 7 to 90 days.
