Coming out in San Francisco: the story of Harvey Milk
Synopsis: Harvey Milk was an outspoken human rights activist and one of the first openly gay U.S. politicians elected to public office in San Francisco; even after his assassination in 1978, he continues to inspire disenfranchised people around the world. 7 min documentary for Arte, "Invitation Au Voyage". September 2019.
Back to the origins of Burning Man
Synopsis: Did you know Burning Man could trace its roots to Baker Beach? In 1986, a wooden figure burnt on Baker beach during the Summer Solstice. A curious crowd gathered to watch it burn. The rest is history... 7 minutes documentary for Arte, "Invitation Au Voyage". Juin 2019.
San Francisco Special
Synopsis: San Francisco is the mecca of innovation. Google, Facebook, Airbnb... Tech giants are inventing the world's future. But what is the other side of the coin? The cost of living, the rent explosion, homelessness, excesses in the social media industry... Has the Silicon Valley reached the limits of its promises? A 53 minutes long Special program, directed by Véronique Amstutz, produced by Patrick Fischer and Pierre Gobet, for Swiss first public TV channel RTS. March 2019.
A secret mineshaft on Berkeley Campus
Synopsis: The Berkeley campus is filled with secrets... One of them is hidden on the north side of campus, locked behind a metal-grated door but visible if you know where to look. The door leads to the Lawson Adit, a mine blasted into the Berkeley hills — directly across the Hayward fault — more than 100 years ago by students. A 7 minutes documentary for Arte, "Invitation Au Voyage". January 2019.
In Chicago, the liberating fever of jazz
Synopsis: In 1915, African-American musicians from New Orleans came to Chicago. They brought something with them: jazz! 13 minutes documentary for Arte, "Invitation Au Voyage". January 2019.
When Al Capone was ruling over Chicago
Synopsis: Gang warfare ruled the streets of Chicago during the late 1920s, as chief gangster Al Capone and his Chicago Outfit gang sought to consolidate control by eliminating their rivals, Italians from the North Side Gang, in the illegal trades of bootlegging, gambling and prostitution.
The School of Tomorrow – Trailer
Synopsis: Neurosciences and new technologies are revolutionizing education. Meeting with scientists and innovators as well as teachers, children and parents all around the world, this miniseries answers an urgent question: how can science help us shape the school of tomorrow?
The correlation between social class and school performance is a major issue across the world. This miniseries in two episodes is an attempt to go beyond ideological approaches of the problem. It is a pragmatic, scientific and international exploration of education techniques. Modern day technology raises many unprecedented problematics: two thirds of students will hold jobs that have not been invented yet and 47% of current jobs are expected to be replaced by machines.
Episode 1: "Using the brain judiciously" & Episode 2: "Innovations throughout the world", directed by Frederic Castaignede, produced by Effervescence Doc for Arte. Aired in September 2018.
“We Seceded Where Others Failed”: a story of Key West
Synopsis: In the early 80s, South Florida became a conduit for illegal immigrants and illegal drugs. To stem the flow, the United States Border Patrol set up inspection points on the two roads connecting the Florida Keys to the mainland. Key West City was not happy. The federal government did not respond to their protests, and the mayor of the city, Dennis Wardlow, declared “independence” on April 23, 1982... 7 minutes documentary for Arte, "Invitation Au Voyage". Juin 2018.
To Have And Have Not in the Keys, with Hemingway
Synopsis: For more than a decade, The Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway called Key West home, and ultimately discovered a new muse - the city itself - producing some of his most famous works, including "To Have or Have Not". Today, the island is still providing a unique look into the legendary writer’s life.... A 13 minutes documentary for Arte. June 2018.
Las Vegas: an explosive story of Fremont Street
Synopsis: Throughout the 1950s, nuclear tests in the Nevada desert brought atomic tourism to Sin City... A 7 minutes documentary for Arte. May 2018.