Literature on ARTE

Throughout the year, ARTE offers a wide selection of documentaries on great works of world literature, controversial novels, exciting origin stories and portraits of important classics. Take a look at the media library.

December 3, 9:55 p.m. and until May 31, 2026 on arte.tv

Rilke - You have to change your life

Cultural documentary, D 2025

Born in Prague in 1875, Rainer Maria Rilke became the European poet par excellence during his lifetime. Today, pop stars like Lady Gaga wear his verses as tattoos. The documentary tells the story of how Rilke struggled for years to complete his magnum opus "Duino Elegies".

December 6, 2.15 p.m.

The Miserables (Les misérables)

Literary adaptation, F/I/DDR 1957

France 1815: Jean is released from prison, takes on a new identity and devotes himself to helping the poor. But Inspector Javert doesn't trust the roast. Adaptation of the

masterpiece by Victor Hugo.

December 10, 10:05 p.m. and until February 24, 2026 on arte.tv

Hannah Arendt: A Jewish woman in exile in Paris.

Portrait, D 2025

December 4, 2025 marks the 50th anniversary of the death of the important thinker: Hannah Arendt's positions on being Jewish, on the relationship between Israel and Palestine and on authoritarian-totalitarian systems seem more relevant than ever. With biographer Thomas Meyer, the documentary takes us back to the time of her exile in Paris. It was here that Hannah Arendt fled from the Nazis as a German Jew in March 1933. It was on the Seine that she laid the foundations for her later works, through which she would gain worldwide recognition.

Monday, December 15, 8:15 p.m. and until December 21 on arte.tv

Atonement

Literary adaptation, GB 2007

England 1935: By falsely accusing her sister's lover of rape, 13-year-old Briony destroys the lives and loves of two people. Adaptation of the novel by Ian McEwan.

Until December 18 on arte.tv

A Feast Day (Mothering Sunday)

Literary adaptation, D/GB 2021

On a spring day in 1924, housemaid and foundling Jane is alone on Mothering Sunday. She takes the rare opportunity to spend an afternoon with her secret lover Paul. She bikes briskly to his parents' estate, where they are spending the day away from home - unaware that her fate will soon change forever.

December 25, 8:10 p.m.

Pride and Prejudice (Pride and Prejudice)

Literary adaptation, F/GB 2005

England, late 18th century: Mrs. Bennett urges her five daughters to marry. When the wealthy bachelor Mr. Bingley and his cultured friend Mr. Darcy move into a summer residence in the neighbourhood, the sisters' excitement rises. But pride and prejudice threaten to destroy Lizzie's love for Mr. Darcy. Film adaptation of Jane Austen's novel.

December 25, 10.15 pm and until March 14, 2026 on arte.tv

Jane Austen - literature and passion

Portrait, D/GB 2025

Jane Austen was born 250 years ago, on December 16, 1775. The British writer's career was exemplary, and her major works "Pride and Prejudice" and "Emma" are among the classics of English literature. The portrait tells of the life of the vicar's daughter and delves into the world of her novels, whose heroines are mainly young women of marriageable age. Today, Austen's works enjoy great popularity and a multimedia presence.

December 28, 2:15 p.m. and until January 3 on arte.tv

Christine (Christine)

Literary adaptation, F/I 1958

Vienna, 1906: Lieutenant Lobheiner is passionate about the young Christine, but is involved in a liaison with a married baroness. Film adaptation of Arthur Schnitzler's play "Liebelei" with Alain Delon and Romy Schneider in the leading roles.

Until June 21, 2026 on arte.tv

Novel, sex & satire: "Portnoy's Complaints"

Cultural documentary, F 2025

In 1969, Philip Roth's novel "Portnoy's Complaints" triggered a literary and social earthquake. This scandalous and hilarious confessional novel breaks taboos relating to sexuality, guilt and Jewish religion and culture. Condemned as obscene by some and praised as a masterpiece by others, it divided the USA and turned its author into a controversial icon. But would the book also cause a scandal if it were published today?

Further documentaries on scandalous novels from world literature can be seen at arte.tv/literature, including "Uncle Tom's Cabin" by Harriet Beecher Stowe, "The Art of Pleasure" by Goliarda Sapienza and "Scandalous Loves" by Choderlos de Laclos.

Until January 5, 2026 on arte.tv

Juli Zeh - On writing and arguing

Portrait, D 2025

Juli Zeh is a writer and lawyer and an honorary constitutional judge at the state constitutional court - and one of the most controversial intellectuals of our time. The documentary accompanies her to talk shows and in discussions with fellow writers.

Until January 11, 2026 on arte.tv

Philippines: Literature as resistance against dictatorships

Social documentary, D 2025

Words of resistance: In the Philippines, it is often writers such as Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa or bestselling author José Dalisay who rebel against dictators, corruption and abuse of power. They sometimes risk their lives to do so.

Until January 17, 2026 on arte.tv

The Divided Sky

Literary adaptation, GDR 1964

GDR, 1960s: After a nervous breakdown, Rita returns to her home village. Her love story with Manfred, ten years her senior, unfolds in flashbacks. While Rita comes to terms with the conditions in the GDR, Manfred's dissatisfaction grows and the building of the Wall becomes an acid test for their love. The DEFA film by Konrad Wolf is based on the story of the same name by Christa Wolf.

Until February 19, 2026 on arte.tv

Wolf Hall

Series, GB 2024

With calculation and acumen, Thomas Cromwell rises to become the most important advisor at the court of Henry VIII. Both seasons of the hit series based on the novels by Hilary Mantel are available online, season 2 will be broadcast on TV for the first time.

Until March 10, 2026 on arte.tv

Miss Austen

Miniseries, UK 2024

England, 1830: 13 years after Jane Austen's death, her sister Cassandra sets herself the goal of preserving the writer's reputation. She is looking for a bundle of letters that Jane wrote - because Mary Austen, her brother's widow, is planning to publish them. The series creates a touching portrait of two sisters whose intimate bond oscillates between duty, memory and hidden pain. A multi-layered drama about loyalty, female self-determination and the price of literary immortality unfolds across several time periods.