Author: France 24

French director Michel Hazanavicius decided that an animated feature was the best approach for his latest film, which follows the trajectory of a baby thrown from a train headed for Auschwitz. Film critic Emma Jones tells us why the fairy-tale tone of “The Most Precious of Cargoes” adds to its poignancy, and why this fable is worth telling many decades later. We also discover an up-and-coming talent in French filmmaker Agathe Riedinger, as her Cannes début “Wild Diamond” impresses with its timely subject matter and specifically female insight. Plus we learn more about musician Pharrell Williams, as his life is…

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, November 20: Tennis legend Rafael Nadal finishes his career with a disappointing loss in the Davis Cup. Meanwhile, thousands of farmers descend on Westminster to protest a new Labour tax, with television personality Jeremy Clarkson taking centre stage. Finally, Donald Trump is accused of ignoring transition rules.

In this Science segment, we look at SpaceX’s latest test flight of its Starship megarocket. The flight went well and achieved several milestones, but the team did not manage to repeat last month’s incredible manoeuvre, when the massive Super Heavy booster was retrieved by the launch tower’s “chopstick” arms. That move was hailed as a marvel of engineering. FRANCE 24’s Julia Sieger tells us more.

Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem said Wednesday his group would not accept any truce that violates Lebanese sovereignty, as Israel demands freedom to act against the Iran-backed movement. The declaration came after Israel’s military said it is fighting Hezbollah in Lebanon and not the Lebanese Armed Forces, after the army said that four of its soldiers had been killed in Israeli strikes. Follow our liveblog for the latest developments in the Middle East.

After losing his home, along with countless friends and family, Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha escaped Gaza with his wife and three children. Now in exile, the award-winning writer is on a mission to share the stories of those left behind. He speaks to FRANCE 24’s Culture Editor, Eve Jackson, about documenting the situation through social media, publications like The New Yorker and The New York Times, and his poetry. Abu Toha is presenting his latest work, Forest of Noise, at Paris’ Maison de la poésie as part of his tour. The collection, written since the October 7th attacks and…

In this Science segment, we examine the European Medicines Agency’s recent decision to recommend granting marketing authorization for the anti-Alzheimer’s drug lecanemab. This follows an earlier rejection of its commercialization, citing concerns that the risks outweighed the benefits. So, what changed, and is this drug really the miracle treatment for Alzheimer’s that some claim it to be?

French skipper Violette Dorange will make sailing history on Sunday as she sets off on the Vendée Globe round-the-world race, becoming the youngest ever sailor to take on the epic solo event dubbed the “Everest of the Seas”.

US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Haward Lutnick, a Wall Street executive and leader of Trump’s transition team, to be the next US Commerce Secretary. The billionaire has been a key economic adviser to Trump and a keen advocate of using tariffs as a tool to protect American jobs and industries. Plus, German police moved to break up a protest camp outside Tesla’s gigafactory in Germany, as environmental activists held out in tree houses. 

Aline Deschamps is a photojournalist who has documented life in Lebanon as the country was once again drawn into conflict with Israel. Having lived in Beirut for five years, Deschamps did not initially set out to be a war photographer. Her work focuses on how ordinary people—students, entrepreneurs, and teachers—come together during times of crisis to support one another. In this interview with FRANCE 24, she shares stories of those she met during her assignments in Beirut, including a Palestinian man who moved from Gaza to the city a decade ago, only to find himself caught in the current bombardment.

This week, Marjorie Hache speaks with award-winning French-Canadian pianist Alexandra Stréliski about her new album “Neo-Romance”, which she is currently touring in France. Meanwhile, Sweden’s Hampus Lindwall tells us about American avant-garde composer and filmmaker Phill Niblock, who passed away earlier this year. Lindwall, along with drone metal guitarist and composer, will pay tribute to Niblock on November 25 at L’Église de Saint-Esprit in Paris. We also take a look at U2’s new release, “How to Reconstruct an Atomic Bomb”.