As television schedules for Saturday, September 12, 2026, come into focus, major European networks are rolling out a curated evening lineup spanning true crime investigations, Roman history, and foundational classic cinema. Outlets like Télérama highlight notable broadcasts including Roschdy Zem’s dramatic feature Omar m’a tuer, Arte’s exploration of Pompeii, and a rare late-night screening of a 1932 horror masterwork.
The Bottom Line
- Prime-Time Drama: France 4 broadcasts Roschdy Zem’s drama Omar m’a tuer, starring Sami Bouajila as Omar Raddad.
- Historical Investigation: Arte delivers an exclusive documentary on Roman aristocracy, examining the opulent villa of Oplontis and the tumultuous relationship between Nero and Poppaea Sabina.
- Late-Night Revival: France 3 revives Ernest B. Schoedsack and Irving Pichel’s 1932 horror classic Les Chasses du comte Zaroff featuring Fay Wray.
True Crime and Legal Drama Take Center Stage on French Television
The Saturday night programming block kicks off with powerful cinematic storytelling and real-world legal examinations. According to Télérama, France 4 anchors its evening schedule with the feature Omar m’a tuer, directed by Roschdy Zem. The film retraces the trial of Omar Raddad. Sami Bouajila delivers a heartbreaking performance as Raddad, while Roschdy Zem steps in as the defense attorney fighting against a seemingly pre-determined verdict.
Diving Into Antiquity and Cinematic History
Shifting from modern courtrooms to ancient history, Arte offers an ambitious documentary titled Pompéi : la villa de Poppée et Néron. Directed by Daniel Oron, the project combines archaeological field discoveries with intense historical debate to dissect the opulent lifestyles of Roman elites vacationing in the luxury villa of Oplontis. The film explores the volatile political and romantic dynamics shared by Nero and his second wife, Poppaea Sabina, presenting a historical narrative that plays out with the intensity of an antique soap opera.
For late-night cinephiles, public television delivers a masterclass in early Hollywood terror. France 3 schedules a midnight screening of Les Chasses du comte Zaroff, directed by Ernest B. Schoedsack and Irving Pichel in 1932. Featuring Fay Wray and Joel McCrea, the film remains a foundational text in horror cinema, predating the directors’ own monster-movie milestone King Kong. The poetic terror of a decadent aristocrat hunting human prey on a remote island continues to influence modern survival thrillers nearly a century after its theatrical release.
| Broadcast Title | Network / Platform | Genre / Format | Release Year / Origin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omar m’a tuer | France 4 | Drama / True Crime | (France / Morocco) |
| Pompéi : la villa de Poppée et Néron | Arte | Historical Documentary | 2025 |
| Les Chasses du comte Zaroff | France 3 | Classic Horror / Thriller | 1932 (USA) |
| La Disparition de Josef Mengele | Canal+ Cinéma(s) | Historical Drama | 2025 (France) |
Navigating Prestige Acquisitions Across European Networks
Rounding out the weekend’s heavy-hitting releases, Canal+ Cinéma(s) brings Kirill Serebrennikov’s disturbing biographical feature La Disparition de Josef Mengele to viewers. Adapted from Olivier Guez’s investigative book, the film stars August Diehl as the unrepentant former SS doctor hiding out in South America.
As television curators continue to balance archival cinematic treasures with provocative contemporary narratives, viewers face an embarrassment of riches this Saturday night. Which of these broadcasts will you be queuing up first, and does linear programming still hold its magic against on-demand streaming libraries? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.
