The Economist Culture

Our choice of best, and worst, in film and television

A technicolour account of the sabotage suggests how fast the world has changed

Stargazing is an illuminating business

The precious work, insured for $1bn, is bound for Britain. It’s more famous there than in France

An exuberant new book includes physiognomy, portraiture and plastic surgery

Attitudes towards art, value and what it takes to be a good collector are changing

An old exercise method is newly trendy

Rachel Lloyd, our deputy culture editor, explores the fascination surrounding the nuptials of the world’s biggest pop star

Tales of resilience, from the Founding Fathers to fine dining

“Regime Change” is an eye-popping report on “the most powerful man that the planet has ever known”

The condiment that conquered the world was created 150 years ago

A student journalist examines the culture at Stanford

“The Butterfly Season” is about discovery, mortality and eternity

Driving from Chicago to Santa Monica you glimpse the best aspects of the country

Jon Fasman, our senior culture correspondent, offers reading recommendations for July 4th  

Notes on talent management from a star-dominated tournament

From fly-on-the-wall accounts to philosophical musings

The technology is dazzling. Whether the prose will be is another matter

Our selections see characters get caught in—and escape from—tricky situations

A playlist to enjoy in the heat