The documentary examines the life of Michel Houellebecq, Europe's controversial and dangerous writer, who offends people with his razor sharp attacks on modern life and is adored as a genius and a visionary.

FOUR FACTS

• One of Michel Houellebecq's first published works was a book about gothic horror writer HP Lovecraft.
• Following Houellebecq's remarks that Islam was "the most crass religion" France's four main Islamic groups issued a joint injunction against him on the grounds that he was inciting racial hatred.
• Elle magazine published a defence of Western women after Houllebecq dismissed them all as "no longer screwable".
• Michel shares the British love of dogs, saying, "A dog's willing non-autonomy makes him the most perfect being in creation, along with a few very submissive women."