these five French series that are worth more than a look

ITaudiences at the La Rochelle Fiction Festival are in luck, getting to watch the first episodes of the upcoming major French fall series before everyone else. Their little misfortune is that they have to wait until afterwards, like everyone else, to find out what happens next. These French productions deserve attention because they are now based on better written scripts and quality performances.

1 “Fortune de France”, extra-local historical series

Complete tour in the Dordognethis series broadcast from September 16 on France 2 is a fairly faithful adaptation of the work of the same name (13 volumes) by Robert Merle published in 1977. A story on the level of a man but also of a woman in the heart of the 16th century.^e century in which the destiny of a Protestant noble family and its servants is intertwined with the great history of France. In the midst of the War of Religions, the series wants to reconnect with the popular tradition of the historical telenovela, but going beyond it. The treatment of Huguenot or non-Huguenot characters refers to always current topics: the place of women in society, class conflicts, religious fanaticism, the progress of science in the face of conspiracy and obscurantism… In casting, special mention for Blandine Bellavoir, Nicolas Duvauchelle and Guillaume Gouix.

2 Children Are Kings Thriller and Social Network

Another adaptation of a novel, that of Delphina de Vigan published in 2021, a criticism of children who are too present on the Internet. Not the ones watching but the ones exposed on Youtube by parents more concerned with income than going back to school itself. The series broadcast this October 23 on Disney+ sees the kidnapping of a little girl and the investigation led by a police officer played by Géraldine Nakache regarding the child's increased exposure to cameras. The series questions and reflects this raw image to young parents, that of a double mirror in which the oh-so-cool on-screen mother (played by the excellent Doria Tillier) also reveals herself as a formidable impresario. The problem of exploiting the image of minors takes on its full meaning here. Pretty funny at Disney.

3 “This is Paris,” cabaret failures

Filmed in Paradisul Latin, this series for France Télévisions dives into the chaotic backstage of a fictional cabaret, Tout-Paris, co-produced by Dominique Besnehard and directed by Marc Fitoussi. A duo already known for bringing the “Ten Percent” series to the end. Moreover, the famous Parisian agent does not hide it, for him this series “could be the second part of “Ten percent””. Be careful when you return. The opportunity to find the actor Nicolas Maury, revelation of the duo of anthology agents he formed with Laure Calamy. Hence these tasty dialogues and these halls worthy of the “Palace” of Jean-Michel Ribes. Besnehard's touch is also the big names he manages to put on the poster and the women he adores. Monica Bellucci, Line Renaud plus Anne Marivin, Aurore Clément. Alex Lutz, in the title role, completes this ball that continues to enchant all of Paris.

4 “A Devoted Friend” or “Calamy-tho” Laure

The news is an inexhaustible source for fiction. So it's no surprise that journalist Alexandre Kauffmann's investigative book “La mythomane du Bataclan” has been adapted to become the first French original creation for the new Max streaming platform. This mini-series (four episodes) revisits the true story of the scam set up by a fake Bataclan survivor turned head of a victims' association. Like Columbo, we already know the ending or rather the culprit, but Laura Calamy's performance here, all in ambiguity, borders on perfection. The actress finds the right tone to embody this disease of mythomania and this need for recognition.

5 “Cat's Eyes”, more than ever for today's girls

“On land or in the air, meeting all challenges”, the cult song of the 1980s Japanese cartoon “Signed Cat's Eyes” already outlined all the ingredients of the recipe for the FR3 event series. After five years of negotiations with the author of the original manga, the adaptation moves the action to Paris, but the story remains the same. Cafe owners by day, the trio of Chamade girls steal by night. Their objective: to steal the works of art owned by their father in order to solve the mystery of his disappearance. The Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Palace of Versailles, the prestigious settings give character and relief to the story. Stunts and a game of hide-and-seek with the police lover should delight forty-year-olds and their offspring. The business card always stands out.