Acquisition of 7 new documentaries

France tv distribution is happy to announce the acquisition of 7 new documentaries: The Secrets of Wild Gatherings, Beaver the River Superhero, Afghan Women, Tracking the Oligarchs, Inventing the French Riviera, The Roman Pantheon and The Lost Civilization of the Amazon.

These factuals, which are distributed internationally by France tv distribution, will be launched during the World Congress of Science and Factual Producers, which will take place from 28 November 2022 to December 1st.

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The Secrets of Wild Gatherings

All around the world, an unknown force drives millions of animals to meet up in the same place every year. Whether they take place on the ground, in the sky or under the water, all these gatherings are prompted by some compulsive circumstance. While telling powerful and intense stories of strategy and cooperation, unity and sacrifice, The Secrets of Wild Gatherings sheds relevant light on the reasons behind each of these spectacular phenomena. From January to December, discover these extraordinary happenings set against the backdrop of some of the planet’s most stunning landscapes.

Genre: Nature & Wildlife. Format: 2x52’. Written by Éric Gonzalez and Marie Pilhan. Directed by Laurent Frapat. Producer: One Planet. French Broadcasters: France 2/Ushuaïa TV.

​​Beaver, the River Superhero

The beaver, a discreet animal that lives half in the water, half on land, is full of secrets: besides being a super-streamlined submarine combined with a water-propellent diver with fins, helm and hold, it’s a Swiss knife complete with anti-intrusion system, chisel and hammer. Closely evolving with its environment, the beaver has developed features no other living being possesses. It’s a true environmental engineer, with the ability to protect biodiversity, revitalize plants and combat global warming. Beaver, the River Superhero reveals the superpowers that make this astonishing animal so unique.

Genre: Nature & Wildlife. Format: 52'. A film by Basile Gerbaud, Luc Marescot and Rémi Masson. Producer: France tv studio. French Broadcaster: France 5.

​Afghan Women

Afghan Women are rarely given a chance to personally express themselves. But this documentary gives several women a platform from which to speak. Aged from 17 to 70, they give their personal stories but also share their views on key events in Afghan history. This documentary paints a picture of Afghanistan as viewed through female eyes – a far cry from the caricatures we’re used to seeing. An ambitious, militant film that recounts 50 years of struggles, hopes, love and war.

Genre: Current Affairs & Society. Format: 52'. Directed by Solène Chalvon Fioriti. Written by Solène Chalvon Fioriti and Laëtitia Moreau. Producers: Chrysalide Productions & Elephant Adventures. French Broadcaster: France TV.

Tracking the Oligarchs

Discover the true face of Vladimir Putin’s regime: billionaires who capitalized on the fall of the USSR, amassing colossal fortunes with the help of the government they pledged allegiance to. Ever since the war in Ukraine was launched, Russia’s oligarchs have been hunted down. Customs officers, police, and even regular citizens on social media have been pinning down their assets, geolocating their yachts and jets in order to make sure the sanctions targeting these people are respected. A gripping investigation, Tracking the Oligarchs unveils the mysteries of an arcane system of corruption and influence.

Genre: Current Affairs & Society. Format: 2x45’/90’. Written by Paul Moreira. Producers: France tv studio & Premières lignes. French Broadcaster: France TV.

Inventing the French Riviera

The French Riviera didn’t exist until 1887. In the beginning, there was nothing but a craggy shoreline, all the way down from Monaco to Nice, and from Cannes to Saint-Tropez. Over the years, the shoreline was gradually “tamed,” first by the English, then by the Russians, followed by the Americans, Italians and, last but not least, the French. Through its rich, colorized archive footage, along with accounts from artists who stayed there and residents who saw the transformation with their own eyes, this documentary traces the history of what has since become an iconic location.

Genre: History. Format: 90’/2x52’. Written and directed by Stéphane Benhamou. Producer: Siècle Productions. French Broadcaster:  France TV.

The Roman Pantheon

The Roman Pantheon is one exceptional monument! Built by the Romans in the 1st century BCE, it’s an example of true architectural prowess, with its remarkable size and its dome, which has been the biggest dome in the world for 13 centuries. Its construction is shrouded in mystery: How do its foundations support such a mighty monument? How is the dome supported when there isn’t a single pillar in sight? Despite being destroyed more than once, the Pantheon still stands in the center of Rome, a tourist hotspot with 9 million visitors each year. It has also been the inspiration for multiple buildings around the world.

Genre: History. Format: 52’. Directed by Alex Gary. Producer: LTM Films. French Broadcaster:  RMC Découverte.

The Lost Civilization of the Amazon

The Amazon has long been perceived as an inhospitable area, populated by indigenous tribes who lacked history and culture.  Everything changed with the discovery of exceptional sites in Colombia and Brazil, presenting astonishing rock paintings dating back more than 12,000 years. Who were the first inhabitants of the Amazon? Where did they come from? And most importantly, why did they disappear? Alongside a team of archaeologists, this documentary takes us on an expedition at the heart of the Amazonian forest, to finally unravel the mystery of this ancient civilization.

Genre: Science & Technology. Format: 90’/52’. Directed by Paul-Aurélien Combre. Written by Eric Ellena and Franck Cuveillier. Producer: French Connection. French Broadcaster:  France 5.

Julia Schulte, SVP International Sales at France tv distribution:

"We are really proud to present those new titles in our documentary line-up and to continue to bring the best of Wildlife, History and Science programs to the markets. Our next stop will be World Congress in Glasgow next week by the way. We also continue to support the current affairs titles from France that matter for worldwide audiences like Afghan Women and Tracking the Oligarchs."

Discover our line-up!

About France tv distribution

France tv distribution works with producers and licensors to maximise revenues from their programmes accross all media platforms encompassing video, VOD and music publishing, merchandising, magazine and book publishing, plus French and international distribution and fund-raising.

Since January 2017, France tv distribution has gone hand in hand with distribution films abroad. As a major player on the distribution of rights in France and in foreign markets, this new activity of trading feature films is added to its savoir-faire.