Investigative, committed, analytical. Social, political and ecological topics in depth. European and global perspective. Can be reactive to current debates. Journalistic rigour with documentary ambition. Enlightening, never didactic. Bold in choice of subject, serious in execution.
What this format covers
●Investigative documentaries on social grievances
●Political and ecological topics with global relevance
●European perspective on international conflicts
●Reactive topics — deepening current debates through documentary
●Economic power structures and their consequences
●Social inequality, migration, human rights
What this format does NOT want
●Historical documentaries without contemporary relevance
●Purely biographical portraits
●Entertainment or light formats
●Science documentaries without social dimension
●Nature films without ecological-political dimension
●One-sided propaganda or activist films without journalistic balance
Visual expectations
Investigative aesthetic — make research visible. Original shoot material at relevant locations. Expert interviews in appropriate settings. Data visualisation and infographics. Archive material where necessary. Can include undercover research and covert footage. Cinematic ambition despite journalistic approach.
Expected exposé structure
Title + subtitle (concise, thematic)
Logline (2–3 sentences: which topic, which thesis, why now)
Exposé body text with clear argumentative structure
Tuesday evening slot for investigative documentary. Can be programmed reactively to current debates — topicality is an advantage. European and global perspective mandatory. Film must be journalistically sound in research. Two lengths possible: 90 minutes as single film or 2×52 as two-parter. Broad supplier base enables international co-productions.
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The Pitch Doctor generates a format-compliant exposé tailored to ARTE Thema Am Dienstag's exact editorial expectations.