Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 horror masterpiece, "The Birds," renowned for its unsettling atmosphere and absence of traditional orchestral music, relies on ominous bird sounds and striking visuals to create a lasting impact. The film, which premiered at Cannes, features a unique narrative of seemingly unprovoked avian attacks on the coastal town of Bodega Bay, California. A significant challenge during production was the intense filming of a scene where lead actress Tippi Hedren was bombarded with live birds for an entire week, resulting in a flesh wound near her eye and a nervous breakdown. The film's innovative sound design, with artificial bird noises created by electronic music pioneer Oskar Sala, further enhances its chilling effect. ARTE will broadcast "The Birds" on February 22, 2026, at 8:15 PM.