FASTING – INVESTIGATION INTO A PHENOMENON – Saturday, January 25 at 10:25 PM on ARTE

We are pleased to announce the broadcast of the documentary FASTING – INVESTIGATION INTO A PHENOMENON on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at 10:25 PM on ARTE. The film is also available on the arte.tv platform until March 23, 2025.


Summary:

In 2012, Sylvie Gilman and Thierry De Lestrade’s film Fasting: A New Therapy?, aired on ARTE, shed light on a practice that was still relatively niche at the time. Since then, fasting has become a true social phenomenon. Fasting is now in vogue, with 27% of French people claiming to have tried it. After centuries of being told that eating is essential to “gain strength,” an empty stomach is now being praised.

Type 2 diabetes, autoimmune or rheumatic diseases, hypertension, microbiota, cancer… Scientists and doctors are revealing the promising effects of fasting. How can such effectiveness be explained across such a diverse range of illnesses?

Following a 14-day fast undertaken by Stéphane, a 50-year-old man seeking to address metabolic issues at a clinic in Germany, the narrative explores the latest scientific discoveries from the United States, Germany, and Italy.

As an alternative to extended fasting, intermittent fasting has also become a focus of significant scientific interest. This practice could prove revolutionary in treating numerous chronic diseases. Whether therapeutic or preventative, could fasting one day become a part of public health policy?


A documentary (59′) written and directed by Sylvie Gilman & Thierry de Lestrade

A co-production by Nilaya Productions & ARTE France

With the participation of Public Sénat

  • Produced by Patricia Boutinard Rouelle & Marianne Jestaz
  • Editing – Guillaume Quignard
  • Cinematography – Thierry de Lestrade
  • Sound – Yves Grasso
  • Original Music – Baptiste Charvet
  • Scientific Advisor – Yvon Le Maho
  • Graphics and Animation – Paul Rodrigues
  • Sound Editing and Mixing – Mathieu Cochin & Amélie Canini
  • Color Grading – Stéphanie Bisutti
  • Narration – Sylvie Gilman
  • Additional Voices – Anne Jacq, Laurent Lederer, Bruno Magne
  • Translations – Caroline du Bled

With the participation of

  • Centre National du Cinéma et de l’image animée
  • Public Sénat
  • Radio-Canada
  • RTS

International Sales – ARTE Distribution