The World in Images
The year 2024
Telling the story of an image: From its creation to its impact on our vision of the world, how can we explain its power? The World in Images offers an interpretation that asks us to look beyond the first glance.
Where to Watch The World in Images • The year 2024
122 Episodes
- Japan: Sushi from Fukushima
E2Japan: Sushi from FukushimaIn an unusual video somewhere between a teleshopping ad and a political broadcast, the Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida tucks in to seafood sourced from waters close the Fukushima power plant. Japan assures its citizens and the world that, after the nuclear disaster, fish caught in the area is safe. But many countries remain unconvinced… - Putin and Kim Jong-un: The provocative handshake
E3Putin and Kim Jong-un: The provocative handshakeImpassive faces, eyes fixed on the camera, two heads of state shake hands in front of a photographer. An analysis of a highly codified political gesture, far from insignificant in the highest political circles! Presented by Sonia Devillers, the magazine that analyzes the images of our time. - The country music video that set the US ablaze
E6The country music video that set the US ablazeWith his music video "Try That In A Small Town," American country singer Jason Aldean caused a nationwide uproar in the summer of 2023. While some accused him of racist incitement, ultra-conservatives rallied to his defense. The song, which uses the visual aesthetics of country music as a political weapon, topped the charts for weeks. - Drone Target: My Defenseless Enemy
E8Drone Target: My Defenseless EnemyA Ukrainian drone films and bombs a Russian trench. The scene unfolds in early 2023 during the Battle of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine. The powerful and shocking video went viral as part of a carefully orchestrated wartime communication strategy. - Charles III: State Banquet at Versailles
E13Charles III: State Banquet at VersaillesOn September 20, 2023, a glamorous state banquet was held at the Palace of Versailles in honor of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. For the first time, such a reception was filmed—and the video both fascinated and outraged. - Ukraine: Olympic boycott on Social Media
E15Ukraine: Olympic boycott on Social MediaIn a video posted on social media in February 2023 by the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, a Russian athlete launches a javelin which transforms into a missile. Three other clips were created at the same time urging the international community to boycott Russian sport. - Everest, the Polluted Olympus
E17Everest, the Polluted OlympusOn May 17, 2023, mountain guide Tenzi Sherpa posted a video on Instagram of Camp 4 on Mount Everest: The ground there is littered with debris from previous expeditions. The contrast between the pristine snow and the accumulated trash sparked a wave of outrage. Tenzi Sherpa explains his reasons for the post. - Gaza-Israel: The Iron Wall and the Bulldozer
E21Gaza-Israel: The Iron Wall and the BulldozerOctober 7, 2023: Hamas breaches the border fence with Israel using a front-end loader. A highly symbolic image. Despite 140,000 tons of iron and steel, the border fence erected by Israel around the Gaza Strip could not withstand the Hamas attack. A front-end loader tore down the "Iron Wall," one of the strongest symbols of Israeli security policy. - Fashion Week: The Battle for the Best Seat
E25Fashion Week: The Battle for the Best SeatAt haute couture shows like Berlin Fashion Week, the celebrities in the front row are at least as important as the new collections. Photos of the stars at the edge of the runway are the best marketing. From the selection of guests to their outfits and seating arrangements, every detail counts. - Rihanna: A Family Photo
E30Rihanna: A Family PhotoRihanna poses for a photo with her family: The image of her with her partner Asap Rocky and their two children looks like a spontaneous snap, but in reality is a carefully planned staged photo, part of Rihanna’s clearly thought out image that the superstar presents to the world. - Putin's Candidacy: A Masterpiece of Staging
E34Putin's Candidacy: A Masterpiece of StagingOn live television, a member of the military asks the Russian head of state to run in the 2024 presidential election. The staging, which portrays Vladimir Putin as the "savior of the people," is typical of the Kremlin's autocratic propaganda strategy. - Digital Field Post
E35Digital Field PostRussia's war against Ukraine: A soldier in a hopeless situation documents the gruesome reality of war with his smartphone. He posts his "farewell video" on social media, where it is viewed millions of times within a very short time – putting pressure on the Ukrainian army. - TikTok: Cooking in Seconds
E38TikTok: Cooking in SecondsOne minute to learn an original pasta recipe: The kitchen is conquering social media. A pumpkin, pasta, and Parmesan. Add a few precise movements, point-of-view shots, and a quick edit: The kitchen clip is complete. What makes these videos so appealing? - A brief visit to a war zone: a diplomatic blunder
E40A brief visit to a war zone: a diplomatic blunderThe line between a diplomatic coup and a PR disaster is sometimes very thin. Photos of Ursula von der Leyen's visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza less than a week after the Hamas terrorist attack caused quite a stir in both diplomatic circles and the media. - Hijacked freighter: A terrorist video goes viral
E43Hijacked freighter: A terrorist video goes viralThe video of a hijacked Israeli freighter went viral around the world – as proof of the Houthi rebels' solidarity with the Palestinians. In wars, where images become weapons, propaganda videos are created, filmed like Hollywood thrillers. - Tourism: Monuments capitulate to the onslaught of visitors
E44Tourism: Monuments capitulate to the onslaught of visitorsHordes of people throng around the Acropolis: The photo is intended to inform, but above all to alarm. Almost everyone can now afford to travel, but this new overtourism threatens the cultural heritage and the quality of life of the local population. - Can the NBA logo be changed?
E47Can the NBA logo be changed?A white silhouette of a basketball player dribbling against a blue and red background... The iconic NBA logo is instantly recognizable. Yet, there are frequent discussions about changing its famous silhouette. So, should a logo be a living image or set in stone? - "Embedded Journalism": The Dilemma of War Reporters
E48"Embedded Journalism": The Dilemma of War ReportersIn November 2023, French journalists went to the Gaza Strip, "embedded" within the Israeli army that controls the borders. How does war reporting function when reporters are under the constant supervision of the military? - Joe Biden on TikTok: A completely different kind of campaign
E51Joe Biden on TikTok: A completely different kind of campaignJoe Biden makes his TikTok debut. With a Q&A video about the Super Bowl, the president is vying for the favor of young American voters. However attractive social networks may seem for political communication, they also harbor a number of pitfalls... - Hawaii: Live report from the disaster zone
E53Hawaii: Live report from the disaster zoneIn August 2023, a young man and his family were caught in the wildfires raging on the Hawaiian island of Maui. While fleeing the flames, he filmed with his cell phone. His amateur footage went viral online and was repeatedly broadcast by American television stations. - When the Marriage Proposal Becomes a Spectacle
E56When the Marriage Proposal Becomes a SpectacleThis short clip of a fairytale-style marriage proposal is just one of many that enjoy great popularity on social media. They come in a glossy, commercial style and reflect a view of gender roles from grandmother's time. - Anatomy of a Film Poster
E57Anatomy of a Film PosterA Palme d'Or, six César Awards, two Golden Globes, and an Oscar – "Anatomy of a Fall" was undoubtedly one of the most talked-about films of 2023. A poster always determines a potential moviegoer's first impression of a film. "Anatomy of a Fall" didn't just have one poster, but two. Why? - Apple Vision Pro: "Stranger Man" on the Subway - Alone Together?
E59Apple Vision Pro: "Stranger Man" on the Subway - Alone Together?A video of a man sitting on the subway wearing Apple's augmented reality headset went viral. The clip is part of the tech giant's marketing strategy. At the same time, it highlights both the concerns and the fascination that this new technology evokes. - "White Party": Celebrities All in White
E61"White Party": Celebrities All in WhiteCelebrities from around the world gather for a party at a magnificent villa. The dress code: all in white! Kim Kardashian, Leonardo DiCaprio, Kylian Mbappé, Jay-Z, Jennifer Lopez, and Ben Affleck meet for a party at a villa in the Hamptons, near New York. Are the partying celebrities really there for fun? - AI: Sora, the Factory of Fake Reality
E62AI: Sora, the Factory of Fake RealityThe astonishing results of a new AI tool are generating excitement, but also raising concerns. The ultra-realistic video of a woman strolling in Tokyo was never filmed. It was created entirely by Sora, a new AI tool from the creators of ChatGPT. Will it even be possible to distinguish between truth and fakery in the future? - Gaza: Humanitarian aid escalates
E64Gaza: Humanitarian aid escalatesIn the Gaza Strip, starving Palestinians stormed several trucks carrying aid supplies: The video, filmed by a drone, was released by the Israeli army to explain the deaths of 118 people that day. However, it also illustrates the precarious situation of the people in the region, who are facing famine. - Ecuador: Hostage Taking Live on Television
E65Ecuador: Hostage Taking Live on TelevisionSince a drug lord escaped from prison, Ecuador has been experiencing an unprecedented wave of violence. Against the backdrop of an extremely tense political situation, members of another gang are pursuing a specific goal with their live television hostage taking: to demonstrate their power to those in power. - Ruby Bridges: The Eternal Schoolgirl
E70Ruby Bridges: The Eternal SchoolgirlShielded by three white police officers, a little Black girl emerges from a school building, backpack in hand. This image from 1960 became a symbol of the desegregation of the United States. Its reappearance in the media in 2023 underscores that America has not yet come to terms with its old demons... - Warming Stripes: 16 Shades of Climate Change
E72Warming Stripes: 16 Shades of Climate ChangeThe climate stripes are meant to make global warming visually tangible. In just a few years, they have gained worldwide symbolic power. Can a simple graphic achieve more than a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)? - Neom: Saudi Arabia's City of the Future
E73Neom: Saudi Arabia's City of the FutureIn 2024, the first computer-generated images of Aquellum, one of the future districts of the futuristic megacity Neom, were shared on TikTok. This urban utopia is a showcase for Saudi Arabia and is also intended to distract from internal problems. Alain Musset explores why not everyone will benefit from this ultramodern Saudi Arabia. - Tucker Carlson's Putin Interview
E74Tucker Carlson's Putin InterviewTucker Carlson was the first Western journalist to interview Russian president Vladimir Putin since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. The former Fox News presenter and Trump supporter is a controversial and influential figure, well connected in American right-wing circles. - Flooding: When Your Home Goes Underwater
E78Flooding: When Your Home Goes UnderwaterAs they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. A standout picture from the floods in France in April 2024 was a photo of man standing inside his living room with nearly one metre of water. Sometimes the simplest images can really bring home the full measure of a catastrophe. - 10 Downing Street
E7910 Downing Street10 Downing Street, in the heart of London's Westminster district, is a highly symbolic address: one glance at its famous black lacquered door is enough to conjure up the residence of Her Majesty's Prime Minister. For decades, the men and women of British politics have been animating the hustle and bustle of power between appointments, reshuffles and resignations in front of this very threshold. - Taliban: Patrol on Inline Skates
E80Taliban: Patrol on Inline SkatesThe video shows members of the Taliban city guard skillfully gliding through Kabul on inline skates. The Islamist regime seized power in Afghanistan again in 2021. Since then, the Taliban have been trying to improve their image – not least through social media and YouTube influencers. - Front Pages in Memoriam
E82Front Pages in MemoriamOn July 17, 2023, all of France mourned Jane Birkin, and all the daily newspapers published obituaries. "Libération" featured a full-page black-and-white photograph of the singer and actress on its front page. "With Open Eyes" explores how these tributes shape the collective consciousness of the French. - Hurricanes & Extreme Weather Trends
E83Hurricanes & Extreme Weather TrendsA multicoloured whirlwind approaches the Mexican coast: this is the satellite image of Hurricane Otis in 2023. Published on X (Twitter) shortly before the disaster, the video was watched 16 million times. How did weather imagery become so popular? - Mukbang: Eating videos on the internet
E85Mukbang: Eating videos on the internetA young, pretty woman fills her stomach with tons of food. The video illustrates the Mukbang phenomenon that comes from South Korea: the staging of a well-timed eating spree, followed by millions of fans. However, this is not entirely without risk. In a 12-minute video, 27-year-old influencer Tzuyang devours portions that would actually serve seven people. She is one of South Korea's biggest YouTube stars thanks to her mukbang videos. The anthropologist Benjamin Joinau explains the phenomenon, which, like K-pop or Korean films and series, is spreading worldwide via the Internet. Historian Florent Queller analyzes the spectacle from our Western perspective on excessive eating. - The horseshoe crab and the fascination of the abyss
E87The horseshoe crab and the fascination of the abyssThe horseshoe crab has been roaming the seabed for more than 450 million years and yet it has never been photographed so clearly. For this feat, this photo won the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2023 award. Ten eyes, a horseshoe-shaped shell...: this horseshoe crab having survived the dinosaurs is fascinating. Behind this little-known animal hides one of the oldest species in our ecosystem. It was in the China Sea, in the middle of the night and at a depth of 15 meters, that Laurent Ballesta, biologist and underwater photographer, took this photo. He tells us about this quest for an extraordinary image: following the horseshoe crab for hours to get the perfect photo. This creature from the seabed brings to our imagination the disturbing world of the abyss. Fleur Hopkins, doctor in art history, explains to us how the horseshoe crab and its shell have inspired pop culture in recent years. - West Bank: A Hospital Raid
E89West Bank: A Hospital RaidIn January 2024 a commando unit of 12 Israeli soldiers carried out a raid in a hospital in the West Bank. Their objective was to kill members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad that they claimed were hiding out there. This stunning episode was captured on CCTV. - Russia: The Desecration of the Ballot Box
E90Russia: The Desecration of the Ballot BoxA young woman invalidates the ballots in a ballot box. During the presidential elections in March 2024, several incidents occurred at Russian polling stations. These symbolic attacks are highly risky. Political protest or state-directed propaganda? - Navalny's Funeral: A Bastian of Resistance
E95Navalny's Funeral: A Bastian of ResistanceA silent congregation pays its respects to Alexei Navalny. This photograph of the funeral of Putin's main political opponent tells of the end of hope for democracy in Russia. But it also shows what Putin did not want at all: Navalny elevated to martyrdom. - NPC Videos: Game or Fetishism?
E96NPC Videos: Game or Fetishism?During a live stream, Japanese artist Natue Coco presents herself as an anime character. These NPC (Non-Player Character) streams, with their repetitive dialogue and gestures, have gone viral on TikTok. A look back at a phenomenon as mesmerizing as it is unsettling. - Harris vs Trump: The Dog & Cat Effect
E98Harris vs Trump: The Dog & Cat Effect“They’re eating the dogs”. When Donald Trump affirmed in a televised presidential debate that Haitian immigrants were eating Americans' pets, this fake news story spawned a multitude of online ridicule and memes. But to whose advantage? - Apple: The Apple Crushed by Its Own Ad
E99Apple: The Apple Crushed by Its Own AdIn this commercial, a hydraulic press crushes a trumpet, paint cans, and a guitar, leaving only a slim iPad tablet. But why did this image of the virtual world, crushing symbols of human creativity, provoke such a strong reaction? - Smog alert: Thick air in New Delhi
E100Smog alert: Thick air in New DelhiIt's a recurring scene every year: New Delhi's most famous street is shrouded in dense smog. The Indian government regularly emphasizes its efforts to combat the problem. But these measures often prove to be a drop in the ocean. - The New Yorker – The Cover as Artwork
E101The New Yorker – The Cover as ArtworkThe US magazine The New Yorker demonstrates its support for Kamala Harris with a portrait of the presidential candidate on its cover. Unlike other print media, The New Yorker commissions illustrators to design its covers exclusively: a focus on a unique selling point in the media landscape. - US Politics: Red or Blue?
E102US Politics: Red or Blue?Blue for the Democrats, red for the Republicans. The results map of the American election is everywhere in the media, showing a divided nation. But the use of these colours to represent the two main political parties in the United States is very recent. - Israel: Horrific War Trophies
E103Israel: Horrific War TrophiesThis a video of celebration, filmed by Israeli soldiers in the Gaza Strip, is one of a series of images posted on social networks by Israeli soldiers enjoying their destruction of Gaza. Photos and videos are transformed into modern day trophies of war. - El Salvador parades its "guilty" prisoners
E104El Salvador parades its "guilty" prisonersPrisoners arrested for embezzlement face the press. In El Salvador, accustomed to parades of the condemned, the scene is striking in its staging. A look back at the "punitive communication" of the highly authoritarian President Bukele. - Charles III: The Portrait of a King
E106Charles III: The Portrait of a KingUnveiled in May 2024 at Buckingham Palace, the very first official portrait of Charles III sparked intense controversy. But why does a painted portrait ignite such passion? Let's take a look back at a royal portrait that is far from leaving us indifferent. - Blue Screen: The World in Breakdown Mode
E108Blue Screen: The World in Breakdown ModeIn July 2024, the Blue Screen of Death will appear on millions of Windows devices. The error message has sparked science-fiction-like fears: What if digital addiction leads to humanity's downfall? An explanation of the Damocles' sword of the blue screen. - Netanyahu: Murder by Phone
E110Netanyahu: Murder by PhoneOn September 27, 2024, Benjamin Netanyahu authorized the assassination of Hassan Nasrallah, leader of the pro-Iranian terrorist group Hezbollah for over 30 years, by telephone. With this act, he underscores his role as a military leader who also directs events throughout the Middle East region by telephone. - New Zealand: A Haka in the Parliament
E112New Zealand: A Haka in the ParliamentIn December 2023, a video of a haka, a ceremonial maori dance, during a session of the New Zealand Parliament went viral on social media. This performance by a newly elected Maori MP was a strong political statement, putting the culture of New Zealand’s indigenous people in the spotlight. - Brand Image: Clash of the Giants
E113Brand Image: Clash of the GiantsIn a poster advertising campaign, Intermarché denounced the price increases of some products – explicitly mentioning the giant Unilever. The British corporation obtained an injunction, but Intermarché won in court. How far can criticism of brands go? - North Korea: At the Heart of the Nuclear Bomb Factory
E114North Korea: At the Heart of the Nuclear Bomb FactoryThe photo shows Kim Jong-un between rows of centrifuges where uranium is enriched. The metal is essential for the production of nuclear weapons. What does the release of this photograph reveal about North Korea's nuclear policy? - The Return of the Russian Agents
E115The Return of the Russian AgentsA married couple and their children, both spies, are triumphantly welcomed by Vladimir Putin himself in August 2024. They are part of the largest prisoner exchange since the end of the Cold War. What is the story behind Putin's "illegals"? - World Press Photo 2024: Universal Suffering
E116World Press Photo 2024: Universal SufferingOn 17 October 2023, more than 110 civilians were killed by the Israeli army at Khan Younes in the Gaza strip. The Palestinian photographer Mohammed Salem captured a tragic scene of mourning. This photograph won the World Press Photo of the Year 2024 for its universal view of the victims of conflict. - A Photographic Hunt for Extinct Species
E117A Photographic Hunt for Extinct SpeciesNo one had seen it for over 60 years, but now a photograph has been taken: The Attenborough long-beaked echidna has been photographed for the first time in its natural habitat by a team of researchers. How do images influence our memory of extinct species? - Fascinated by Volcanoes
E119Fascinated by VolcanoesIn January 2024, a spectacular volcanic eruption in Iceland threatened the town of Grindavik, attracting journalists and the general public who wanted to capture the moment on camera. But how close can you get to observe these highly dangerous natural phenomena? - Mini soaps: the shorter the better?
E122Mini soaps: the shorter the better?The tried-and-tested formula “love, revenge and money” directly on your smartphone: mass-produced micro-dramas are the latest craze and are instantly addictive... Discover My Billionaire Husband's Double Life. The miniseries consists of 49 episodes lasting around one minute. Combining family drama and love stories, it is the latest hit from Chinese app Reelshort, which specializes in super-short format films and series. Shicong Zhu, executive producer of “The Double Life of My Billionaire Husband,” explains what goes into the script and production of this new form of series. Pop culture and media expert Delphine Chedaleux talks about a genre that is constantly reinventing itself: the soap opera.
