The Science of Friendship

Everyone talks about romantic love and overlooks friendship! But Science reveals: It’s good friendship that really matters. It calms our nerves, strengthens our social connections, makes us healthier, happier and potentially live longer.

Together with neuroscientists Prof. Thalia Wheatley (USA) and Prof. Berna Güroglu (Netherlands) we will embark on a journey into the inner workings of the brain. We will learn which mechanisms are responsible for choosing our friends, why these friends are so important, especially in adolescence, and how friendships shape us and the way we perceive the world.

But we will really feel the “power of friendship” through the people who tell us about their unique relationships and feelings. Personalities such as the two international ballet greats Friedemann Vogel & Polina Semionova who have enjoyed a deep friendship for almost 30 years. And there is famous animation artist Émilie Tronche, who has touched millions of people in recent years with her series “Samuel”. What many people don't know is that “Samuel” is a small homage to Émilie's own experiences with her best friend Ophélie Lepert. We meet the two girls in Paris and enjoy their special friendship.