Stephane Bern presents this summer four new, with the participation of great specialists and 3D reconstructions: the Forbidden City of Beijing (China), the Royal Palace of Madrid (Spain), the Quirinal Palace of Rome (Italy) and the Senate.
France 2 offers a first place of exceptional power, inaccessible and distant in essence, the Forbidden City, at the heart of the great lineages of the celestial mandate with the Ming (Han) and Qing (Manchus) dynasties and the intrigues of Cixi, concubine raised to the rank of empress. “Places of power are fascinating because they serve as a backdrop for incredible, heightened human passions”, explains Stéphane Bern, who presents from a stage, to his great regret, If the walls of the Forbidden City could speak, sure France 2. “Having been there before, I had the opportunity to enter this state in the state that bustled with ambitions, crimes and passions around issues of power. China imposing a quarantine, only the teams went there to film ”, explains the defender of heritage. The quality of the images is truly there and the immersion in the imperial epic of China is enriching, thanks to 3D images and the intervention of renowned sinologists.
The Forbidden City could accommodate 900,000 people
This medieval architectural ensemble of the XVe century, rich in symbols, is made up of 980 modules overflowing with treasures over 72 hectares. City within city, the Forbidden City could accommodate 900,000 people. The techniques for constructing frames with dougongs, specific pieces of Chinese architecture, were revolutionary for the time. The symmetry of the buildings traces the writing of the sovereign signifying character, formed of three horizontal lines and one vertical line. The buildings on either side of a north-south axis were constructed concomitantly in order to magically register time in space. Everywhere the Ying and the Yang are balanced, emblems of “thinking in pairs”, like the two large lion dogs at the gate of celestial purity. The documentary focuses on the daily life of the 24 successive emperors, but also that of eunuchs and concubines.
The Jesuits close to Emperor Kangxi
If the walls of the Forbidden City could speak also looks back on the intimate links that the Jesuits had for a time with the Emperor Kangxi (1654-1722), a scholar passionate about science, under the reign of Louis XIV. The learned priest Ferdinand Verbiest lived his mission in this way: “Under the starry mantle of astrology, our holy religion is easily introduced”. The emperor authorized the construction of a church, a residence and a library and created imperial workshops in the image of those of Versailles. Finally, a final section focuses on ceramics, the imperial brands of which are the heyday of current auctions.
“If the walls of the Forbidden City could speak” at 9:05 pm on “France 2”
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