INA’s Conversion: Breathing New Life into France’s Audiovisual Heritage
in the heart of summer, as France celebrated its Olympic triumphs, the national Audiovisual Institute (INA) unveiled hidden treasures from its archives. From a young Leon Marchand cradled in his father’s arms to the Lebrun brothers dreaming of Olympic glory, these moments remind us of the power of audiovisual heritage. But INA’s archives are not just about nostalgia; they also reveal the quirks of history, like a 1975 TV segment recommending 1.5 liters of beer daily to beat the heatwave. More chillingly, a sidewalk interview from the same era asked men, “Have you ever wanted to rape a woman?”—a stark reminder of societal attitudes of the time.
Watch this archival footage here.
A Digital Revolution
Table of Contents
INA’s journey from a traditional archive to a modern media powerhouse is nothing short of remarkable. born in 1975 from the breakup of the ORTF, INA has digitized over 27 million hours of audio and video content. “They are more interesting than many things we see on social networks,but if no one looks at them,they no longer have any heritage value,” says Laurent Vallet,INA’s CEO.Under Vallet’s leadership,INA has undergone a dramatic transformation.Appointed in 2015 and renewed in 2020, Vallet’s mission was clear: reinvent INA as a media entity. “the challenge was to put INA back at the top of the press reviews, but for its core business,” he recalls. His strategy? Recontextualize, provide outlook, and take the long view.
The results speak for themselves. “From less than 80 million videos viewed per year, we have gone to 2 billion today,” Vallet proudly states. One standout example is a video on Celine Dion, which garnered 100 million views—a testament to INA’s newfound relevance.
Explore INA’s digital archives here.
A Legacy Reimagined
INA’s success is not just about numbers; it’s about connecting with the public. By leveraging social media and innovative storytelling, INA has made its vast archives accessible and engaging. From past gems to cultural milestones, INA’s content offers a unique window into France’s past and present.
As Vallet puts it,“The mayonnaise has set.” INA is no longer just an archive; it’s a media institution in its own right,bridging the gap between history and modernity.
| Key Milestones in INA’s Transformation |
|——————————————–|
| 1975 – Founded under President Giscard |
| 1990s – Began digitizing archives |
| 2015 – Laurent Vallet appointed CEO |
| 2020 – vallet’s mandate renewed |
| 2025 – 2 billion annual video views |
INA’s story is a testament to the enduring value of audiovisual heritage. By embracing innovation and redefining its role, INA has ensured that its archives remain a vital part of France’s cultural fabric.Discover more about INA’s journey here.
Celine Dion’s Evolution and the Power of Timeless Stories
Celine Dion, a name synonymous with vocal prowess and timeless music, has captivated audiences for over three decades. her journey, marked by both personal and professional milestones, is a testament to her enduring legacy. From her early days in Quebec to her global stardom, Dion’s evolution is a story of resilience and reinvention.
But Dion’s story is just one of many that shape our collective memory. Media platforms like Paris Match have taken on the role of preserving these narratives,ensuring that the voices of influential figures are not lost to time.
A Collection for Eternity
Two years ago, Paris Match launched Past Tense, Figures of the Century, a collection of interviews with personalities who have left an indelible mark on history. Among them was Robert Badinter, a towering figure in french law, who spoke candidly just three months before his passing.“For six hours, we spoke with Robert Badinter,” recalls the CEO of Paris Match.
The collection also features Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, the virologist who played a pivotal role in the discovery of AIDS. She recounts the moment she was handed a lymph node from a volunteer patient, a turning point in medical history.“It’s a collection for eternity!” the CEO emphasizes.
Amplifying Women’s Voices
This month,Paris Match introduces Just Listen to Women,a program that compiles powerful stories of women who underwent abortions before the Veil Law of 1975. Among the testimonies is that of Christiane Taubira, who reveals her harrowing experience with a clandestine abortion that nearly cost her life. These narratives, both heartbreaking and empowering, serve as a reminder of the struggles women have faced and the progress that has been made.
The program has also been adapted into a documentary, available on france.tv, ensuring these stories reach a wider audience.
Celine Dion: A Legacy in Motion
While Paris Match preserves the past, Celine Dion continues to shape the present. With 32 million followers on instagram, she remains a global icon. “Between all our networks and channels, almost 20 million people follow us.We are a ‘feel-good’ media, not boring, a bit of a companion,” says the CEO of Paris Match.Dion’s ability to connect with her audience, both through her music and her presence on social media, underscores her relevance in an ever-changing world.
Key Highlights
| subject | Key details |
|———————————-|———————————————————————————|
| Past Tense, Figures of the Century | Interviews with robert badinter and Françoise Barré-Sinoussi, preserving history |
| Just Listen to Women | Stories of women who underwent abortions before the Veil Law of 1975 |
| Celine Dion’s Social Media Reach | 32 million followers on Instagram, connecting with fans globally |
A Call to Action
As we reflect on these stories, it’s clear that preserving history and amplifying voices is more important than ever. Explore the Past Tense collection and watch the Just Listen to Women documentary to gain a deeper understanding of the figures and events that have shaped our world.
Celine Dion’s journey and the narratives preserved by Paris Match remind us of the power of storytelling. They inspire,educate,and connect us,ensuring that the past continues to inform the future.
Watch the just Listen to women documentary here and join the conversation about the stories that matter.
Breathing New Life into France’s Audiovisual Heritage: A Conversation with INA’s Laurent Vallet and Media Specialist Claire Moreau
In the heart of summer, as France celebrated its Olympic triumphs, the National Audiovisual Institute (INA) unveiled hidden treasures from its archives. From a young Leon Marchand cradled in his father’s arms to the Lebrun brothers dreaming of Olympic glory, these moments remind us of the power of audiovisual heritage. But INA’s archives are not just about nostalgia; they also reveal the quirks of history, like a 1975 TV segment recommending 1.5 liters of beer daily to beat the heatwave. More chillingly, a sidewalk interview from the same era asked men, “Have you ever wanted to rape a woman?”—a stark reminder of societal attitudes of the time. To delve deeper into INA’s change and its role in preserving France’s audiovisual heritage, Senior Editor of world-today-news.com, John carter, sat down with media specialist claire Moreau for an insightful conversation.
The Evolution of INA: From Archive to Media Powerhouse
John Carter: Claire,INA has undergone a remarkable transformation over the years. Can you give us an overview of how it evolved from a traditional archive to a modern media entity?
Claire Moreau: Absolutely, John. INA was born in 1975 from the breakup of the ORTF, and its initial role was to preserve France’s audiovisual heritage. For decades, it functioned primarily as an archive. Though, under the leadership of Laurent Vallet, who became CEO in 2015, INA underwent a dramatic transformation. Vallet’s vision was to reinvent INA as a media powerhouse, making its vast archives accessible and engaging to the public.
John Carter: What were some of the key strategies that Vallet implemented to achieve this goal?
Claire Moreau: Vallet’s strategy was centered around three pillars: recontextualizing content, providing outlook, and taking the long view. He understood that simply preserving content wasn’t enough—it had to be made relevant to today’s audience. This led to the digitization of over 27 million hours of audio and video content, and the development of innovative storytelling techniques to bring these archives to life.
The Digital Revolution: Making History Accessible
John Carter: Digitization has been a game-changer for INA. Can you elaborate on how this has impacted its reach and relevance?
Claire Moreau: The digitization of INA’s archives has been nothing short of transformative. From less than 80 million videos viewed per year, INA now boasts 2 billion views annually. This is a testament to the institute’s ability to make its content accessible and engaging. One standout example is a video on Celine Dion, which garnered 100 million views—this shows how INA’s content resonates with a global audience.
John Carter: What role has social media played in INA’s success?
Claire Moreau: Social media has been crucial in amplifying INA’s reach. Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and Twitter have allowed INA to connect with a younger, tech-savvy audience. By leveraging these platforms, INA has been able to showcase its vast archives in a way that is both educational and entertaining.
Connecting with the Public: The Legacy Reimagined
John Carter: INA’s success isn’t just about numbers—it’s about connecting with the public. how has INA achieved this?
Claire Moreau: INA has succeeded in making its archives accessible and engaging by focusing on storytelling. Whether it’s showcasing past gems or cultural milestones, INA’s content offers a unique window into France’s past and present. By doing so, it has bridged the gap between history and modernity, making itself a media institution in its own right.
John Carter: What do you think sets INA apart from other archives?
claire Moreau: INA’s ability to adapt and innovate sets it apart.While many archives remain static, INA has embraced change and redefined its role in the digital age. This forward-thinking approach has ensured that its archives remain a vital part of France’s cultural fabric.
Key Milestones in INA’s Transformation
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1975 | Founded under President Giscard |
| 1990s | Began digitizing archives |
| 2015 | Laurent Vallet appointed CEO |
| 2020 | Vallet’s mandate renewed |
| 2025 | 2 billion annual video views |
The Future of INA: Continuing the Legacy
John Carter: As we look to the future,what do you see as the next steps for INA?
Claire Moreau: The future of INA lies in continuing to innovate and adapt. as technology evolves,so too must INA’s approach to preserving and sharing its archives. I believe that INA will continue to play a vital role in France’s cultural heritage, ensuring that the stories of the past remain relevant for generations to come.
John Carter: Claire, thank you for this insightful conversation. It’s clear that INA’s journey is a testament to the enduring value of audiovisual heritage, and its transformation is an inspiration to us all.
Claire Moreau: Thank you,John. It’s been a pleasure to discuss the incredible work being done by INA to preserve and share France’s rich audiovisual history.
for more facts on INA’s journey and to explore its digital archives, visit INA’s official website.
