There’s more to life than Koh Lanta. And since we can never get enough general knowledge, the back-to-school season is the perfect time to set yourself a simple resolution: watch (at least) one documentary a week. Luckily, Arte’s current line-up is an absolute treat! From society and culture to fashion and travel, here are 5 captivating documentaries to binge right now.
The Most Fashionable
Florentine elegance in the 70s. Tom Ford’s “porno chic” in 1995. Alessandro Michele’s floral explosion of colors. The boldest Met Gala looks. Gucci is all of this and more. Born in Florence in 1921, the legendary Italian fashion house has survived scandals, crises, and reinventions without ever losing its aura. For Arte, Olivier Nicklaus directs Gucci – Luxury, Drama & Decadence, a dazzling documentary packed with rare archive footage and insights from fashion icon Carine Roitfeld and historian Salomé Dudemaine. After watching, you might just want to splurge on a Jackie bag and a pair of loafers…
Watch Gucci – Luxury, Drama & Decadence on arte.tv
The Most Pop Culture
Big blonde hair, acrylic nails, flawless guitar chords, sharp wit, and socially engaged lyrics — Dolly Parton has long been more than just a country star. She’s become a pop culture icon able to bring together Americans across political divides, generations, and backgrounds. In Nicolas Maupied’s Dolly Parton: America’s Great Unifier, interviews and archives reveal the queen of country music in all her paradoxes — a joyful, inspiring portrait of a woman who managed to unite a nation through her music and charisma.
Watch Dolly Parton: America’s Great Unifier on arte.tv
The Most Eye-Opening
If you were moved by The Path of Excellence, the story of a farmer’s daughter striving for Polytechnique, don’t miss this powerful documentary. HEC: Admitted Without the Codes follows Isabelle, Tom, and Victor, three newly admitted students at France’s elite business school who face a crisis of legitimacy. Coming from working-class families, they lack the unspoken social, cultural, and fashion codes of their peers. Filmmakers Camille Poulain and Jules Giraudat shed light on these “social climbers” navigating an intimidating environment while chasing their dreams of upward mobility.
Watch HEC: Admitted Without the Codes on arte.tv
The Most Wanderlust-Inducing
Just two hours from Paris, Ireland ranks among the most breathtaking countries in the world. Its rolling green hills, rugged coastlines, and dramatic cliffs shaped by wind and ocean create landscapes unlike anywhere else. Combining stunning panoramas with fascinating scientific and historical insights, Ireland: Between Land and Sea feels like a journey straight from your couch. From Connemara to the Beara Peninsula, with a boat ride to meet marine wildlife, this documentary captures the untamed spirit of Ireland. Maybe your next travel destination?
Watch Ireland: Between Land and Sea on arte.tv
The Most Chilling
Not for the faint of heart. Directed by Laetitia Ohnona, Hunting Pedophiles investigates the dark side of the digital age. Online gaming platforms and social media have become playgrounds for predators who exchange content and target victims with alarming ease. Filmed across eight countries, the documentary reveals how online networks provide both impunity and community for these criminals. The most harrowing moments involve Filipino children exploited by their parents for just a few euros to meet growing global demand. A disturbing yet essential watch.
Watch Hunting Pedophiles on arte.tv
? Also discover: our favorite new book releases this season and 7 monumental works of art to admire for free in Paris.
