A documentary titled L'Empire LVMH, directed by Jennifer Deschamps, will be broadcast on Arte on Tuesday, September 29 at 9 p.m. The film delves into the life of Bernard Arnault, the son of a construction business owner, and his rise to become the head of LVMH, a major global luxury goods company. Deschamps initially had doubts about making the film, as she was not drawn to the world of luxury. However, she eventually became deeply interested in the subject, deciding to "tell the transformations of capitalism" through the story of a "Balzacian character," a reference to the 19th-century French novelist who often depicted complex, ambitious individuals. The project was initiated by producer Antoine Boukobza, who saw in Arnault's journey an opportunity to explore the evolution of the luxury industry and financial capitalism. Deschamps began her career as a journalist, working on a report for Envoyé spécial on real estate failures in the United States in 2007. She later became an editor-in-chief at KM Production, where she experienced the censorship of an investigation into Crédit Mutuel by Vincent Bolloré. In 2017, she produced Inside Lehman Brothers, a documentary that gained international attention and had real-world consequences, including a notable increase in the amount offered to whistleblowers. The documentary examines how Bernard Arnault built his empire, including his acquisition of the textile company Boussac through a socialist government, attempts to take control of Hermès, and the purchase of Les Échos, a newspaper that led to a strike. The film also explores Arnault's use of "Breton pulleys," a term referring to a complex network of companies that allows him to gain control of other companies using other people's money. Deschamps and Boukobza clarify that the film does not portray Bernard Arnault as the sole creator of LVMH. They note that he inherited hundreds of millions of francs and that his success is partly due to the exploitation of the French system, including its tax policies and subsidies. They also point out that LVMH benefits from the French environment, with its employees trained by the National Education system and supported by the Social Security. The documentary also covers Arnault's time in the United States, where he went into exile in 1981 after the election of President François Mitterrand. It explores his fascination with royalty and social status, as seen in his real estate projects like the Hotel Princess in Miami. The film also looks into Arnault's use of economic intelligence, including his early use of the company Kroll, and his history of espionage, such as spying on François Ruffin, who was making a film about him. Deschamps and Boukobza emphasize that the film does not aim to damage Arnault's image but instead focuses on the processes and mechanisms behind his success, particularly the exploitation of the French system and the mechanisms of financial capitalism.