Emotional, story-driven, character-driven. In contrast to the analytical Tuesday history slot, this is about experiencing, not understanding. High popularity, primetime-ready. Stories that move, surprise, captivate. High-gloss production. Each film must work as a standalone — no series.
What this format covers
●Recent history that belongs in collective memory
●Popular science — emotionally told
●Character-driven stories with social relevance
●Events that shaped a generation
●Surprising turns in familiar stories
●Borderland history/society/science
What this format does NOT want
●Analytical history documentaries (belong on ARTE Geschichte)
●Series or multi-parters — each film must be standalone
●Academic or dry presentations
●Topics without emotional access or without protagonists
●Purely investigative formats
●Topics that won't reach a primetime audience
Visual expectations
High-gloss execution, primetime quality. Elaborate reconstructions, high-quality archive material, strong on-camera protagonists. Cinematographic visual language. Emotional staging without manipulation. Music as dramatic device. Reference: Netflix documentaries in quality, ARTE in editorial stance.
Expected exposé structure
Title + subtitle (emotional, curiosity-inducing)
Logline (2–3 sentences: who experiences what, why it matters)
Exposé body text as cinematic narrative — story-driven
Protagonist(s) with personal story
Narrative arc and turning points
Visual execution / production concept
Production company, author, contact
Example productions
Tchernobyl — Die Nacht, die alles veränderte
Colonia Dignidad — Aus dem Innern einer deutschen Sekte
Flick — Die Geschichte eines deutschen Vermögens
Der Untergang der Concordia
Wirecard — Die Milliarden-Lüge
Editorial notes
Thursday evening alternating with ARTE Entdeckung. Primetime slot with high reach requirements. Central distinction from ARTE Geschichte (Tuesday): here it's emotional experience, not analytical understanding. Story-driven and character-driven. No series — each film must work as a standalone piece. HR is additional supplier (not for all slots). High-gloss production mandatory.
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