Jacques Attali

Writer and economist

He’s an economist, writer, chronicler and adviser (former special adviser to French President Francois Mitterrand). But Jacques Attali is even more. If he is an inexhaustible source of reflection, he’s also a man of action. In very personal and symbolic locations, Stéphan Bureau challenged the ideas of this thought-provoking intellectual.

Dan Bigras

Musician, singer and film-maker

A talented musician, singer and film-maker, Dan Bigras has successfully conquered his old demons and transformed his anger into a powerful creative engine. In addition to his great popularity, his success is an expression of his solidarity with street youth. Stéphan Bureau joins him in the ring.

Enki Bilal

Cartoonist and film-maker

A giant in the cartoon world and a visionary whose works bear witness to the great upheavals of the 20th century, Enki Bilal has managed to give the 9th art its rightful place in the contemporary art scene. Stéphan Bureau sketches a portrait of the artist at his studio in Paris.

Fernando Botero

Painter and sculptor

Botero is an internationally renowned painter and sculptor whose curvaceous larger-than-life works have garnered him monumental success. The Columbian artist warmly invites us into his home in Paris and his studio in Tuscany.

Jean-Claude Carrière

Screenwriter and writer

Always in search of new experiences, this unrelenting worker has contentedly devoted himself in all realms of literature, theatre, television and cinema. Stéphan Bureau discusses with him how his work bears the mark of both quantity and quality.

Serge Chapleau

Caricaturist

A highly talented caricaturist who has earned himself a solid reputation for his pencil drawings, Serge Chapleau captures the key moments of our time as well as the failings of our society. Stéphan Bureau met up with this man for whom a picture is truly worth a thousand words.

Gregory Charles

Musician, singer, actor and host

Born under a lucky star, Gregory Charles enjoys equal success in everything he undertakes. Versatile and full of curiosity, this one-man band jokingly says that he specializes in not specializing. Presenting a portrait of an outstanding artist who radiates an infectious energy.

Boris Cyrulnik

Ethologist, neurologist, psychoanalyst and psychiatrist

An ethologist, neurologist, psychoanalyst and psychiatrist, Boris Cyrulnik has been peering into the human soul for more than half a century; he is best known to the general public for his theory on resilience. Stéphan Bureau caught up with this man who formulates his thoughts with uncommon clarity.

Richard Desjardins

Author-composer-performer and documentary film-maker

An author-composer-performer, documentary film-maker and troublemaker, Desjardins has made a name for himself as one of Quebec’s great artists. Simultaneously sombre and dazzling, his work brings hope for a better world. Stéphan Bureau went to see him on his home turf.

Franco Dragone

Director

He has reinvented circus arts and revolutionized the entertainment world with his scenography. His ideas and innovations have found a permanent home in Las Vegas. But this reknowned director wants to do even more. As Franco Dragone journeys into the heart of creation, Stéphan Bureau catches up with him in Belgium.  

Claude Dubois

Author-composer-performer

Claude Dubois has always been a part of Quebec’s artistic landscape. A child of the Quiet Revolution whose own life and career have been anything but quiet, he is first and foremost a free artist. Stéphan Bureau caught up with him in his Laurentian forest setting.

Alain Ducasse

Chef

A worthy heir to the great French chefs, Alain Ducasse has made a mark for himself with a unique type of cuisine. Although he no longer hovers over a hot stove, he still concocts recipes with passion and discipline. Stéphan Bureau sits down to savour a meal with the celebrated chef.

Diane Dufresne

Singer and painter

Singer and painter Diane Dufresne revolutionized Quebec song and brought a new approach to show production by constantly pushing back limits and shattering all confining constraints. However, this fiery singer has a hidden side, for she is also an artist who paints in her own solitude. Presenting a portrait of a real “can-doer”.

Jean d’Ormesson

Writer and member of the Académie française

He is as comfortable being in the company of the well-read as he is with the commoner. However, far from resting on his success, this illustrious academic likes to look the world straight in the eye.  Stéphan Bureau meets his lively and captivating gaze head-on. .

Mavis Gallant

Writer

Exceptional short-story writer, Mavis Gallant is one of Canada’s greatest writers. If all now concur to recognize the prowess of her pen, booklovers and critics in Quebec and Canada ignored her for nearly 30 years. Stéphan Bureau attempts to mend the wrongdoings.

François Girard

Film-maker and director

A film-maker, director and musician, François Girard is an artist of international stature; he is a total creative force who has succeeded in making his mark in movies, theatre and opera. Stéphan Bureau met up with this unobtrusive man who remains unfettered by borders.

Marek Halter

Painter and writer

Painter, writer and leftist intellect engaged in the battle for the protection of human rights… He seems to have had many lives, making his journey difficult to decipher. Stéphan Bureau interviews the creator who dons many hats.

Julia Kristeva

Novelist and psychoanalyst

Psychoanalyst, linguist, semiologist, essayist, novelist, strong defender of the rights of the disabled… A multitude of titles to describe one of the most outstanding intellectual figures of the 20th century. Stéphan Bureau met her in Paris.

Marie Laberge

Writer and playwright

“To write” is a verb that Marie Laberge seems never to have conjugated in the future tense. In fact, she lives out her passion for writing in the present imperative. Stéphan Bureau caught up with this prolific and passionate writer – who also happens to be the author with the highest readership in Quebec.

Philippe Labro

Journalist, author and film director

Journalist, writer and film director Philippe Labro claims three distinct and creative identities. Although polychromatic, he draws on his personal experiences to reveal the fundamental colours of his palette. Stéphan Bureau revisits with him the most cherished places that influenced his life.

Dany Laferrière

Writer and film-maker

Dany Laferrière is a writer whose entire oeuvre testifies to a desire to fully embrace the huge territory of America. He is fond of saying that his “heart lies in Port-au-Prince, his body in Miami and his soul in Montreal.” Stéphan Bureau tagged along with him on his journey...

Jacques Languirand

Man of the theatre, author and communicator

A man of the theatre and radio host, Jacques Languirand occupies his own space in the Quebec landscape. A multidisciplinary avant-gardist, this explorer of short-cuts sees himself first and foremost as a communicator. Stéphan Bureau met up with him... a mind-blowing experience!

Carole Laure

Actress, singer and film-maker

An actress who burst onto the cinematic scene in the 1970s, Carole Laure also explored the world of song and dance before occupying the director’s chair. Presenting a close-up of this passionate and daring creative artist.

Robert Lepage

Playwright, actor, director and film director

Alone or with his troupe, he revolutionized the theatrical arena by constantly pushing the limits in stage production. He meets the challenges of renewal head-on, and with panache. In a rare interview, Robert Lepage recounts the journey to his astonishing career.

Yannick Nézet-Séguin

Orchestra conductor

Some people make it to the top at an early age. Barely 30 years old, Maestro Nézet-Séguin is conducting his career con brio both in Montreal and on the international scene. Stéphan Bureau sat down with this gifted and industrious young man for whom the world is indeed his oyster!

Michel Onfray

Philosopher and author

For high-flying philosopher Michel Onfray, intellectual practice desperately needs to climb out of its customary ruts and become better aligned with everyday life. Stéphan Bureau had a discussion with this free-thinking boat-rocker who never leaves anyone unmoved.

Daniel Pennac

Writer

The father of the celebrated romantic Malaussène clan, Daniel Pennac writes not only fiction but also works about social issues that speak to him. Stéphan Bureau met up with this fervently humanistic storyteller whose words have won him a wide following.

Gino Quilico

Opera singer

Gino Quilico thrills audiences around the world with his baritone voice and has played major roles on the stages of some of the most celebrated opera houses. Stéphan Bureau met up with this artist for whom opera is the summation of all the arts.

Joël de Rosnay

Biologist, technologist and popular science writer

A biologist by training, Joël de Rosnay is an incredible popular science writer and astute observer of the impact of scientific advances on society. Stéphan Bureau caught up with this humanist technologist in his Paris neighbourhoods.

José Saramago

Writer

Nothing in José Saramago’s background indicates that he was destined to become the only Portuguese writer to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. A literature course taken during his training as a locksmith would be the key to unlock his writings. Acknowledged by critics worldwide, his work is a fabulous metaphor on the human condition. Stéphan Bureau introduces us to this mastermind writer of Portuguese writings.

Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Writer and playwright

He envisioned becoming a musician, but made his way towards philosophy and then turned to writing. Today, he is the world’s best-selling French author. Stéphan Bureau met with this luminary at his Brussels residence.

Mario Vargas Llosa

Writer

An outstanding figure of Latin-American literature, Mario Vargas Llosa is a distinguished writer who enjoys an extraordinary international reputation. At times a novelist, an essayist, a critic and playwright, his literary career has had to play alongside his political ambitions. Stéphan Bureau met with him in Lima.

Simone Veil

Politician

Having survived the concentration camps, Simone Veil turned to politics and devoted her life to promoting freedom, justice and pushing forward laws. A remarkable figure, she was the first woman elected to the European Parliament. A riveting encounter with an outstanding fighter.

Gilles Vigneault

Chansonnier, publisher and poet

A great advocate for the French language, a humanist, an environmentalist before the term existed, the poet of Natashquan is a leading artist on the Quebec scene. He has produced an immense body of work that reaches beyond national borders. Stéphan Bureau strays off in his company...