In this edition of arts24, Manon Kerjean from Lost in Frenchlation joins Charlotte Lam to take a closer look at three French films of the moment: From a terrifying birthday party to a relationship that slowly turns toxic, this month’s French cinema brings plenty of tension, drama and dark humour.

First up is Léa Mysius’ The Birthday Party (Histoires de la nuit), a claustrophobic home-invasion thriller starring Hafsia Herzi, Benoît Magimel, Bastien Bouillon and Monica Bellucci. Based on Laurent Mauvignier’s novel, it follows a family celebrating a birthday at their isolated farmhouse – until three unexpected visitors arrive and turn the evening into a nightmare.

Next is Géraldine Nakache’s Think Good (Si tu penses bien), a striking departure from the director’s previous comedies. Monia Chokri and Niels Schneider play a couple whose seemingly perfect relationship gradually becomes one of control and manipulation. Told through six years of their relationship, the film explores coercive control and the warning signs that can be difficult to see when you are inside an abusive relationship.

We then turn to Jeanne Herry’s Garance, starring Adèle Exarchopoulos. The film charts eight years in the life of a young woman whose drinking gradually takes over her relationships, work and everyday life. Rather than portraying addiction as a sudden downfall, Herry focuses on how it can develop almost invisibly. Exarchopoulos gives an intensely physical performance in the lead role.

And finally, we travel back 80 years for Jean Cocteau’s Beauty and the Beast. The French cinema classic is returning to the big screen in a new 4K restoration, offering a chance to rediscover its extraordinary sets, costumes and makeup and the unforgettable transformation of Jean Marais into the Beast.

Her new album ‘The Meaning of Flowers’ tackles much more than just flora, as the Danish musician and composer explores the sounds and sentiments of the very beginning of human life. She tells us about creating emotionally rich soundscapes that have often been used in film and television. We also discuss the Faustian pact that artists can find themselves in when it comes to balancing creative, personal and professional lives.

This week on Arts24, music editor Marjorie Hache chats to Buck's saxophonist. He tells us more about how the six-piece came together during lockdown and took their name from the antler-sporting animal to make psychedelic wild jazz. They are currently touring their new album "Animal Boisé". We also meet French Cameroonian Dj Producer Tatyana Jane, Ed Banger Records' first female signing in two decades. Plus, we take a look at new releases by Leon Bridges and M83.

"If you don’t understand the history of Black women, you don’t understand the history of America." Those words from Nobel Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison open Sasha Bonét's debut memoir, "The Waterbearers". The New York writer traces three generations of Black women in her family: her grandmother Betty Jean, the daughter of formerly enslaved people in Louisiana who went on to raise eleven children; her mother Connie, who sought a middle-class life in majority-white Houston; and Sasha herself, now raising her daughter Sofia in New York.

What begins as an intimate family story becomes something much bigger: a journey through slavery's legacy, racism, motherhood, violence, love and the ways trauma and resilience are passed from one generation to the next. Bonét also places her family history alongside the lives of other Black women who challenged the roles imposed on them, including artist and filmmaker Camille Billops, singer Betty Davis and civil rights figure Recy Taylor.

In this interview with Eve Jackson, Sasha Bonét talks about the women who shaped her, the uncomfortable truths of family history and what she hopes to pass on to her daughter. "The Waterbearers" is available now in English and French.

Sasha Bonét is appearing at Paris's Festival America this week.

Eve Jackson and film critic Emma Jones run through this week's new cinema releases in France. Brad Pitt heads into the Alaskan wilderness with his four-legged co-star in "Heart of the Beast". Also, Robert Pattinson takes on a controversial TV host in "Primetime", a new generation discovers "Sense and Sensibility", and Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler's "The Scarecrows' Wedding" arrives on the big screen.

Nigerian superstar Yemi Alade is one of Africa's biggest female artists, with global hits, hundreds of millions of views online and a collaboration with Beyoncé. Speaking to Eve Jackson as she kicks off her new tour, the Grammy-nominated singer looks back on her remarkable career, reveals how she nearly missed the email that led to her "Black Is King" collaboration with Beyoncé and talks about her new album, "It's Yemi Alade", and latest single "Ala Bekee" with Don Jazzy.

Yemi Alade also talks about her long love affair with Paris and breaking barriers for African female artists. Plus, she performs live for arts24.

Matthew Rhys made Emmy history, winning two lead acting awards in the same night as Widow’s Bay swept the comedy categories and set a new record with 14 wins. FRANCE 24’s Dheepthika Laurent looks back at the biggest moments from television’s biggest night including wins for The Pitt, Hacks and Stephen Colbert. Plus, we check out Israeli hit Fauda returns with a politically charged fifth season inspired by the events of October 7th, an Australian thriller packed with twists, Last Seen and a very unexpected family secret for Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson in Brothers.

This week arts24 talks to Nigerian Blues Funk Artist Keziah Jones ahead of his Symphonic premier at la Scène Musicale on September 29 as part of Jazz & Musique du Monde season. He tells FRANCE 24's Marjorie Hache about his music and about working with arranger Pierre Bertrand. Plus, we take a look at new releases by Beck, Miley Cyrus and Beabadobee.