To mark 200 years of diplomatic relations between France and Brazil, France 24 is presenting a new cultural series that highlights Brazil’s contemporary creative scene. As part of the France-Brazil 2025 season — a wide-ranging program of exhibitions, performances, and public events running from April to September — the Arts24 team delves into the country’s music, cinema, and fashion.
Image courtesy of France24
Presented by Eve Jackson, France 24’s longtime cultural correspondent, the three-part series takes viewers on a journey across Brazil, spotlighting artists and creators who are redefining the nation’s cultural identity. With episodes airing daily at 12:15 PM from April 15 to 17, the series offers insight into how Brazilian culture is shaped by history, activism, and a strong connection to both land and community.
Episode One: The Sound of a Nation
Airing Tuesday, April 15, the opening episode focuses on Brazilian music and its deep social roots. Set in Rio de Janeiro, it explores how genres like samba and funk serve as both a unifying force and a means of political expression. Interviews with artists such as Chico César and Catto reveal how music plays a central role in national identity and protest culture. The episode also looks at the evolution of Carnaval, now not just a celebration, but a platform for addressing issues like racial injustice, inequality, and government corruption.
Episode Two: Film for Democracy
Broadcast on Wednesday, April 16, the second episode turns to Brazilian cinema and its relationship with democracy. The program features director Walter Salles and his acclaimed film I’m Still Here, along with Sandra Kogut’s documentary At This Moment in the Nation’s Sky, which captures the atmosphere of Brazil’s 2022 elections. These films are presented as part of a broader movement within Brazilian filmmaking that seeks to document the country’s political struggles, preserve memory, and speak truth to power.
Episode Three: Fashion with a Conscience
The series concludes on Thursday, April 17 with an exploration of Brazil’s fashion industry. From São Paulo to the Amazon, designers and models are incorporating sustainability and heritage into their work. The episode includes conversations with Zaya Guarani, an Indigenous model and activist, and Airon Martin, a designer known for his ethical approach to clothing. Together, they illustrate how Brazil’s fashion scene is embracing environmental awareness and drawing on Indigenous and Afro-Brazilian traditions to resist cultural erasure and promote ecological balance.
The Arts24 series captures Brazil at a cultural crossroads — where artistic innovation meets historical reckoning. As France and Brazil celebrate two centuries of diplomatic ties, the series offers an intimate look at how Brazilian culture continues to inspire and challenge, both at home and on the global stage.
Brazil: The Art of Change will also be broadcast on France 24 in French from April 15 to 17 at 12:15 PM (Paris time).
©2025
Art Plugged is a contemporary platform inspired by a relationship with the broader arts communities. We provide our audience with curated insight into the world of art, from exhibitions to artist interviews and more.
