Culture et pop | ARTE

Kultur und Pop | ARTE

Culture | ARTE

Cultura y pop | ARTE

Kultura | ARTE

Cultura | ARTE

In Paris and other French cities, a new wave of cabaret is renewing the artform. The glittering and glamourous shows are often queer, self-referential, political, and very funny. Tracks takes you into the liminal spaces of the new underground cabaret.

Punk, Glitter, Glamour: The New Underground Cabaret

Tracks takes you into the liminal spaces of the new underground cabaret in France which is often queer, political, and very funny.

Tracks

Current Highlights

Collections

Playlists

Ireland’s celebrated and controversial novelist, who died in July 2024, speaks to Ray Byrne for the Irish broadcaster RTE.
In her 80th year, Edna O'Brien reflects on the way her turbulent life has shaped her religious beliefs and moral values. Years in self-imposed exile from both her country and her Church did not diminish her attachment to both.

This programme was brought to you thanks to ARTE's partnership with Irish public broadcaster RTÉ.

Ireland's great controversial writer - an interview

An interview with Edna O'Brien, a bold and brilliant writer, who recently passed away.

Edna O’Brien

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, with his peers in the avant-garde ‘Die Brücke’ group, developed a spontaneous and fresh artistic style that scandalised the establishment of his day. A portrait of a highly talented yet controversial painter.

A Controversial Genius

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner developed a spontaneous and fresh artistic style that scandalised the establishment of his day.

Ernst Ludwig Kirchner

Men can be vulnerable, emotional, and feminine - the differences between the sexes are becoming blurred. At the same time, profiles on social media that celebrate the cult of the male body and masculine stereotypes are highly popular. What kind of men do we need? Here are some reflections on the crisis of masculinity.

Twist

What kind of men do we need? Here are some reflections on the crisis of masculinity.

What Kind of Men Do We Need?

Violence is everywhere in literature with countless Crime novels and podcasts. Why this fascination with the darker side of humanity? Twist takes us on a thrill ride through the former Vilnius prison, now dedicated to culture and dark tourism.

Fascinated by Crime

Violence is everywhere in literature with countless crime novels and podcasts. Why this fascination with humanity's dark side? 

You can choose your friends, but not your family. Some siblings work together in creative fields such as architecture, design or music. A source of joy and inspiration, but also sometimes a source of conflict...

Siblings work together in creative fields like architecture, design or music. A source of joy and inspiration, but also sometimes a source of conflict...

Creative Siblngs

A city that sizzles in the summer - that's the New York that emerges from Spike Lee's early films from the 1980s onwards. In She’s Gotta Have It and Do the Right Thing, the filmmaker takes us to the heart of a raw, tense, dangerous, cosmopolitan and bubbling New York.

City Country Culture

A city that sizzles in the summer - that's the New York that emerges from Spike Lee's early films from the 1980s onwards.

Spike Lee's New York

More

Arts

Imsouane, a small fishing village in south-west Morocco, is an increasingly popular destination for tourists. Some of the longest waves in Africa can be found here in a paradise for the international surfing crows. But the town is being transformed by the Moroccan authorities to welcome more tourists, with local residents paying the price by being forced from their homes. Tracks takes a look at the problems of Insta-gentrification.

Morocco: Surfers and Artists against Insta-Gentrification

Tracks takes a look at the problems of Insta-gentrification as the surfing village of Imsouane is transformed by tourism.

In 2015, the photo of a dress posted on social networks almost broke friendships: some saw it blue and black, others swore it was white and gold. When it comes to color, our brain plays tricks on us - exactly what Goethe argued centuries ago.

Goethe's Favourite Dress

The science behind The Dress that took over the internet in 2015

Gymnastics

Hair and nails, glitter and gloss, short skirts... Generation Z is reclaiming long-discredited stereotypes and reinventing women's fashion- It’s a new wave that includes the queer community and questions traditional ideals of beauty. Tracks investigates hyperfemininity and asks whether this reinterpretation can be subversive and empowering.

Hyperfemininity: Fashion is Politics

Hair and nails, glitter and gloss, short skirts... Generation Z is reclaiming long-discredited stereotypes and reinventing women's fashion

What do The Strokes, Daft Punk and King Krule have in common? They've all contributed to making Mount Kimbie the group they are today. Tracks invited the British duo to a Parisian record shop to pick out ten vinyl records that have influenced their sound. 

Mount Kimbie

What do The Strokes, Daft Punk and King Krule have in common? They've all contributed to making Mount Kimbie the group they are today. 

Tracks: Record Box

Many young women idolise influencers they follow on social media and want to emulate their lives. But is being and influencer really such a dream job? Twist looks into the good and bad sides of the profession.

Influencer: A Dream Job?

Many young women idolise influencers they follow on social media. But is being and influencer really such a dream job? 

Behind the dangerous and illegal urban rodeos lies a discipline that influences pop culture, from rap videos to movies. Tracks explores this subculture and sport, from Bike life and motorcycle acrobatics to intense clandestine carmeets.

Bike Life

Behind the dangerous and illegal urban rodeos lies a discipline that influences pop culture.

Neoperreo is an alternative subgenre of reggaeton, a musical genre often criticised for its macho sexism. Created in Chile by women and the queer community, this movement hijacks reggaeton’s highly sexualised sound for queer liberation.

Reggaeton, Twerking and Sexual Liberation

Neoperreo is an alternative subgenre of reggaeton, a musical genre often criticised for its macho sexism. 

Pop culture

What do we need to live a happy life? Follow Ronja von Rönne, author and self-proclaimed sceptic, as she explores this age-old question by meeting people with fascinating or surprising answers. A unique insight into the different mindsets and strategies that people employ to find happiness.

What do we need to live a happy life? A unique insight into the quest for happiness with author Ronja von Rönne.

Unhappy

Who are we? And how do we want to live? Streetphilosophy looks for answers to life's big question on the streets of Berlin.

Streetphilosophy

Category Banner (CPO)

Daniel Richter is one of the best-known artists of our time. He speaks to Jagoda Marinić about the books that have inspired him and accompanied him throughout his life.

With Daniel Richter

Daniel Richter is one of the best-known artists of our time. He speaks to Jagoda Marinić about the books that are important to him.

The Book of My Life

"We are currently learning that we are not the rulers of this universe. We are not the masters of creation. We cannot subjugate the Earth," says Vienna-based philosopher Philipp Blom. And he immediately asks, "Then who are we?" In conversation with Yves Kugelmann, Philipp Blom engages in a deep, thought-provoking exploration.

In Conversation with Philipp Blom

Humans thought we were masters of the Earth, but we're now learning the hard way that we aren't.

Deep Thought

How can we live a happy life? And should we be pleased that our lives are short? Ronja von Rönne investigates the philosophy of happiness by meeting Jean-Remy von Matt, a major figure in German advertising and Sister Katharine, who left her job in finance to become a nun.

A guide to living a contented existence.

How can we live a happy life? And should we be pleased that our lives are short? Ronja von Rönne investigates the philosophy of happiness.

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić had the world at his feet. But it wasn't enough. He knew something was missing and turned to books to help him find meaning in his life. What he read changed his outlook, his way of thinking, and his future. 

In the Words of Ex-Footballer Neven Subotic

Ex-footballer turned anti-poverty activist Neven Subotić discusses the books that changed his life.

Deborah Feldman found worldwide fame with her autobiography Unorthodox, adapted into a highly successful Netflix series. In this extensive interview, she talks about the central and vital role books have played in her life, on post-war writing dealing with the holocaust, and also contemporary events, notably the Israel-Hamas war.

With Deborah Feldman

An extensive interview with writer Deborah Feldman, famous for her autobiography Unorthodox, adapted into a highly successful Netflix series.

The Book that Changed my Life

Ideas

Yetundey is originally from Leipzig and mixes styles and influences. Layla Boe wants to make the German language smoother in her music.

Germany

Girlhood - Women in Rap (1/4)

Artificial intelligence seems to make anything possible with images including fake nudes and entirely imagined representations. Could AI generated images make photography obsolete?

Will AI Replace Photography?

Artificial Intelligence seems to make anything possible. But could AI generated images make photography obsolete?

Italy has the largest number of World Heritage sites of any country, wonders that are becoming increasingly difficult to preserve. Can they all be saved, or should some be left to crumble? Twist criss-crosses Italy to discover its lost places.

Lost Places in Italy

Italy has the largest number of World Heritage sites of any country, wonders that are becoming increasingly difficult to preserve. Can they all be saved from ruin?

Entire generations have learned about sex through mainstream porn, blurring the lines between personal desires and platform-driven fantasies. But if our sexuality is shaped by algorithms, can’t we take back some control? The post-porn movement is doing exactly that. Aimed at creating pornography that reflects honest, consensual sex – its creators are making waves online.

Can Post-porn Awaken Our True Desires?

What if porn reflected our true desires? Post-porn aims to be more ethical, more honest and more revolutionary.

Edna O'Brien reflects on the way her turbulent life has shaped her religious beliefs and moral values

The Meaning of Life: Edna O’Brien

Dee Koala and Dope Saint Jude are young rappers from the Cape region of South Africa. Dope decided to move to London to pursue her musical career whilst Dee has stayed in her local community.

South Africa

Girlhood - Women in Rap (2/4)

Meryl is a new icon of French rap from Martinique. Parisian Lean Chihiro has created a universe inspired by Japanese culture.

France

Girlhood - Women in Rap (3/4)

With the rise of the far right in Europe, German athletes and artists from a migrant background are increasingly exposed to racist hostility. Ahead of the Paris Olympics, TRACKS asks: How do minority athletes cope with giving their all for a country that shows them so much hatred?

Racism in Sport

German athletes and musicians from a migration background talk about their struggles against racism.

Being a female rapper in Morocco is difficult in what is still a male dominated society. Krtas Nssa, voted best female rapper in Morocco in 2019, has chosen to live in Belgium. Khtek decided to stay in Rabat and change mentalities from inside the country.

Morocco

Being a female rapper in Morocco is difficult in what is still a male dominated society.

Girlhood - Women in Rap (4/4)

Although "kinky" images are present in our collective imagination, enthusiasts of specific sexual practices have taken a long time to embrace their preferences. Through art and spaces where kink is celebrated, the community now normalises practices that were once considered perverse. Kink fans are experiencing their coming-out and openly embracing their preferences.

Free to Be Kinky

Kink fans are experiencing their coming-out and openly embracing their preferences.

Young women in Japan rebelled against a conformist, monochrome society in the 1990s with the gyaru style: Outrageous clothes and make-up that rejected the cult of paleness prevalent in Japanese society. Tracks finds out why this style is gaining resonance with a new generation of black women worldwide.

Black Gyarus: How a Japanese Subculture Inspired Black Women

Young women in Japan rebelled against a conformist, monochrome society in the 1990s with the gyaru style.

Far from being a mere material detail, our homes can have a real influence on our well-being... City or country? Flat or house? A philosophical exploration of how we live, hosted by Ronja von Rönne.

Happiness and Habitat

Far from being a mere material detail, our homes can have a real influence on our well-being...

Tones and I became famous with the hit "Dance Monkey". Today she tours the world with Macklemore. Before her concert in Hamburg, we visited the singer with her record box and asked her to play her favourite vinyl. She talks about the fake wedding she organised for her grandparents, what Johnny Cash has to do with it and why Eminem would be a good dinner guest.

Tones and I

During her visit to Hamburg, the Australian singer rummaged through the TRACKS record box.

Most popular

Furries have a hard time being accepted. They are seen as obscene and dangerous. However, the furry fandom is adamant about exploring the different aspects of their personality through a furry avatar. Tracks explores this hidden world of artists and changed identities. 

Breaking the ‘Furries’ Stereotype

With their anthropomorphic animal costumes, the furries push the boundaries of social and virtual identity.

Who would have thought that one day an ordinary open space could give us the creeps? For the generation that has grown up with the Internet: the web has redefined the codes and forms of horror, giving us a clearer picture of the anxieties of our time. From backrooms and analogue horror to digital urbex, these creepy anomalies are transforming our relationship with reality and renewing our attraction to thrills and unease. With explorers of online horror, Feldup and Obscuria, Tracks dives into deserted MMOs, liminal spaces and obscure forums to encounter the new horrific folklore.

Digital Horror - What Scares Gen Z?

Accompanied by internet horror experts, Tracks asks: what frightens Gen Z?

TRACKS

After an eight-year absence and to mark the release of their fourth album "Hyperdrama", we met Justice in a Parisian record shop to track down their favourite records and the inspiration and memories that go with them. How important is a compilation in the age of the playlist? What virtues do physical discs still have today? Tracks meets Justice to discuss music past and present. 

Record Box: Jus†Ice

The legendary French electro duo search for their favourite releases in a Parisian record shop.

This make-up artist is the talk of the fashion world. Armed with make-up, prosthetics and an unbridled imagination, British artist Isamaya Ffrench creates sublime monsters. With her extreme looks, she challenges our ideas of beauty. Tracks accompanied her on one of her endless workdays during Paris Fashion Week.

Isamaya Ffrench: The Makeup Artist for Monstrous Beauties

We follow British make-up artist Isamaya Ffrench and her monstrous creations at a Vivienne Westwood show in Paris.

In Iran, parties are considered immoral, as are 'western' music and female artistic performances. Yet in secret, behind closed doors in Tehran or outside the borders of the Islamic Republic, it is still possible to party properly. Tracks meets those artists who are keeping the Iranian party spirit alive, whatever it takes.

How to Party in Iran

'Tracks' meets the underground artists who are keeping the Iranian party spirit alive.

Twist looks at how female artists reconcile their dream job with family life. Film music composer Rachel Portman, prima ballerina Polina Semionova, actress Franziska Hartmann and artist Lakwena Maciver talk about motherhood and the fine line they often tread between career and compromise.

Mothers and Artists

Twist asks how female artists reconcile their dream job with family life.

German rapper Skinny Finsta tells us about his passion for tapes of Memphis Rap, Memphis Tennessee’s own subgenre.

Memphis Rap

Tracks: Tapemania

Who am I? Where do I come from? Where do I belong? What actually determines our identity? How do theatre director Ersan Mondtag, Czech photographer Libuše Jarcovjáková and anti-racism activist and writer Mirrianne Mahn reflect on these questions in their work? This episode of culture magazine show Twist looks at questions of identity and diversity.

The Beauty of Diversity

Who am I and where do I belong? Twist looks questions of identity and diversity.

Some siblings work together in creative fields such as architecture, design or music. A source of joy and inspiration, but also sometimes a source of conflict...

Most recent

How do you become a famous DJ? What are the essential skills you need to acquire? Twist follows DJs David Guetta, Amelie Lens, Alle Farben and Lovra around clubs and festivals, and asks them about their career paths and their views on the profession.

How to Become a Superstar DJ

Twist follows DJs David Guetta, Amelie Lens, Alle Farben and Lovra around clubs and festivals, and asks them about their career paths and their views on the profession.

In September 2022 the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody set off nationwide protests in Iran. One year on from this civil unrest, Tracks East meets the ultra-connected younger generation who demonstrate their opposition to the government through art and music.

Iranian Women Resist

Tracks East meets the ultra-connected younger generation who demonstrate their opposition to the government through art and music.

Tracks East

Freedom and diversity are important in Timisoara, the birthplace of the Romanian revolution in 1989. Twist visits the city which has been designated European Capital of Culture 2023 and looks at the wind of freedom blowing through the cultural scene.

Timisoara: City of Freedom?

A visit to the European Capital of Culture 2023 where a wind of freedom is blowing through the cultural scene.

Eighteen months after Russia invaded Ukraine, how is Russian civil society coping with Putin’s dictatorial drift? Tracks East investigates with journalist and debunker of fake news, Masha Borzunova.

Daily life in Putin's Russia

Eighteen months after Russia invaded Ukraine, how is Russian civil society coping with Putin’s dictatorial drift?

What do creative couples have to say about love? Culture magazine Twist asked novelists Monika Helfer and Michael Köhlmeier, dancers Anna Konjetzky, Sarah Huby and Quindell Orton, and Swedish artists Nathalie Djurberg and Hans Berg for their views.

Artist Couples and Love

What do creative couples have to say about love? Culture magazine Twist asked novelists, dancers and artists in relationships for their views.

Tracks East finds out how militarisation, migration, and an increasing polarisation within society are affecting the mood in Poland as elections approach.

The Polish Paradox

Tracks East finds out how militarisation, migration and an increasing polarisation within society are affecting the mood in Poland as elections approach.

Featured in the hit series, ‘Stranger Things’ and popular with celebrities worldwide, the influence of the fantasy role-play game is increasing. 

Dungeons and Dragons Take Over the World

Featured in the hit series, ‘Stranger Things’ and popular with celebrities worldwide, the influence of the game Dungeons and Dragons is increasing. 

Roberta Bayley helped shape the aesthetics of punk in the late 1970s. Her snapshot of the Ramones became an inconic image that encapsulated an entire cultural movement. 

Roberta Bayley, Punk Photographer

At the front, the war continues, but for Ukrainians, the process of remembering has already begun. How can the country honour its many dead while conflict endures? In this episode, Tracks East looks at the way in which men and women evoke the past and perpetuate its memory.

The Dead Don't Die: Never Forgetting

At the front, the war continues, but for Ukrainians, the process of remembering has already begun. How can the country honour its many dead while conflict endures?

In 2022, Salman Rushdie narrowly survived an assassination attempt by an Islamic extremist. This year's winner of the German Publishers' Peace Prize at the Frankfurt Book Fair, we interview the acclaimed writer in New York. Also in the programme: Russian journalist Elena Kostyutchenko, Slovenian authors Pia Prezelj and Suzana Tratnik, and a focus on the graphic novel “Woman, Life, Freedom" by Marjane Satrapi.

Salman Rushdie and Freedom of Speech

Interview in New York with the acclaimed British writer, this year's winner of the German Publishers' Peace Prize.

How do you kill time during a flight? Nina Katchadourian has the solution. The artist creates inventive photography using only want she can find from her seat on the plane.

The Artist With Her Head in the Clouds

When war disrupts daily life, social issues often take a back seat. Tracks East meets the men and women who refuse to let armed conflict get in their way. Anna, a doctor in Kyiv, wants sexual liberation along with sexual health and Alina and Stanislava are campaigning for equal marriage.

Social Activism in Wartime

Tracks East meets the men and women who refuse to let armed conflict get in the way of social issues.

In a church in Halberstadt, an organ slowly plays music that sounds like the eternal Om of a Buddhist song. The piece was written by John Cage, who wanted it to be played as slowly as possible. Each movement lasts 71 years. The concert started in 2001, and is on track to end in 2640.

The 639 Year Concert

This piece of music is being played so slowly that it won't be done until 2640

The children of the Russian elite live out their dreams while their non-elite compatriots are sent to the front in Ukraine, invoking a well-connected parent allows them to escape mobilisation. Exiled Russian journalist Masha Borzunova sheds light on these parallel worlds.

Parallel Worlds at War

Exiled Russian journalist Masha Borzunova sheds light on the parallel world of the Russian elite's kids avoiding the war.

Has Russia's invasion of Ukraine plunged the world back into the Cold War? And what if Russia's attack on its neighbour was actually aimed at the United States? Jean-Michel Scherbak travels to New York for Tracks East to meet Ukrainian and Russian communities there.

USA-Russia A New Cold War?

Jean-Michel Scherbak travels to New York for Tracks East to meet Ukrainian and Russian communities there. Has Russia's invasion of Ukraine taken us back to the Cold War? 

In Israel everything changed overnight on 7 October. In this episode, Tracks East looks at life in the Jewish state after the Hamas attack.

Israel: Life After Terror

In Israel everything changed overnight on 7 October. In this episode, Tracks East looks at life after the Hamas attack.

For a long time, yellow was unpopular: it was the colour of Judas' robes and thus of betrayal, and it represented cuckolds. But today, it has become the colour of choice for cartoon characters, and a symbol of the Yellow Vest movement. 

Is Yellow the New Black?

How the colour yellow went from being hated to being loved 