Broadcasters / France 5 / France5 Le Monde En Face
France 5
France5 Le Monde En Face
Format
Social documentary with debate
Length
52 min (followed by studio debate)
Timeslot
Mardi (Tuesday) 20h50, Prime Time
Exposé length
3–5 pages
Editorial tone
Engaged, analytical, close to people. Le Monde en Face shows social realities from the perspective of those affected and contextualizes them journalistically. The tone is neither accusatory nor voyeuristic — but clearly positioned. The film must have a thesis that can be debated in the subsequent discussion. Emotional access is welcome, but always backed by facts and context. Educational mission without didactic posturing. France 5 is the culture channel — the audience is curious and critical.
What this format covers
●Health system: hospitals, psychiatry, care crisis
●Education and equal opportunity: schools, universities, vocational training
●World of work: burnout, precarious employment, transformation
●Families and society: parenting, partnership, generations
●Gender equality, domestic violence, femicide
●Environment and health: pesticides, air pollution, nutrition
●Digitalization and society: addiction, surveillance, algorithms
What this format does NOT want
●Purely investigative exposés without social debate dimension
●Historical documentaries without contemporary relevance
●Nature films or travel formats
●Cultural or artistic portraits
●Topics without debate potential for the subsequent discussion
●Too niche or specialist topics without broad relevance
Visual expectations
Documentary, but professional. Observational sequences alternating with interviews. Infographics and data for contextualization. No overstylized aesthetics — content over form. Authentic locations (hospitals, schools, workplaces). The film must work independently, even without the debate. Strong interview skills essential. Reference: quality documentary in the France 5 style.
Expected exposé structure
Titre et sous-titre (title and subtitle)
Synopsis (10–15 lines: topic, thesis, approach)
Note d'intention (Why now? Why this approach?)
Personnages et lieux de tournage (on-camera protagonists and shoot locations)
Éléments de débat (What controversy carries the subsequent debate?)
État des recherches (research status, sources, experts)
Le Monde en Face: Hôpital public — la fracture (2020)
Le Monde en Face: Féminicides — la loi du silence (2021)
Le Monde en Face: École — le grand fossé (2019)
Le Monde en Face: Pesticides — notre santé en danger (2022)
Le Monde en Face: Psychiatrie — le grand naufrage (2021)
Le Monde en Face: Enfants placés — les sacrifiés de la République (2018)
European perspective required
Editorial notes
Le Monde en Face is the sociopolitical documentary slot on France 5, Tuesday evening. The distinctive feature: after the 52-minute film comes a studio debate with Marina Carrère d'Encausse (or successor host) and invited experts. The film MUST therefore have a thesis controversial enough to sustain a debate. Films without debate potential are rejected. International co-productions possible, but the story needs a clear French or universal dimension. The commissioning desk prefers topics that directly affect many people (health, education, work). France 5 has an education-conscious audience with high research standards.
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