Series Mania Bows With ‘Standing-Up’, Readies David Simon’s Latest

Returning barely six months after its 2021 version, which wrapped in September, French TV competition Sequence Mania welcomed Jury President Julia Sinkevych,who arrived in Lille from war-torn Ukraine.

“I didn’t know if I’d be fortunate sufficient to be right here tonight,” mentioned Sinkevych to a standing ovation, with Laurence Herszberg, Sequence Mania normal director, observing that tradition can’t be insensitive to what’s occurring.

“The entire world is now admiring our resistance, the resistance of the Ukrainian individuals. However there’s one other battlefield, which is tradition, and I need us to be seen, acknowledged and admired on the cultural battlefield, too,” added Sinkevych.

“This [conflict] has been occurring for a very long time and there have been many episodes on this TV sequence. Now, Europe and the remainder of the world ought to work collectively on its grand season finale.”

President of the Worldwide Panorama Jury, French author and actress Anne Berest, additionally confirmed her assist by carrying a Ukraine shirt.

The in-person gala, hosted by Daphné Bürki – quickly to be seen in “Chair Tendre” – additionally paid homage to “The Wire” on its 20^th anniversary, with a dance routine choreographed by Romain Rios and a sketch by Pablo Mira (“In accordance with critics, ‘The Wire’ is the perfect TV present of all time, however that’s as a result of they missed ‘Charmed’ season 2,” he mentioned). David Simon’s new present “We Personal This Metropolis,” co-created with George Pelecanos, will premiere in Sequence Mania’s worldwide competitors. It is likely one of the most anticipated of this yr’s titles.

Creative Director Frédéric Lavigne described the ceremony as a “rollercoaster of feelings,” additionally noting a few of this yr’s drama developments, from news-worthy subjects to concentrate on healthcare employees, rappers, writers, youth and variety.

“Seeing Julia on stage was so shifting – it was the political assertion that we wished. Sequence is a land of distinction, so it’s related to be trivial and severe on the similar time,” he instructed Selection after the occasion wrapped with the screening of “Name My Agent!” creator Fanny Herrero’s new present “Standing Up,” a few group of aspiring comedians.

“Throughout our final version, we had this concept to have a particular concentrate on sequence made by stand-up comedians and for them. We realized there was a brand new era coming, speaking about their life. Additionally, at this second, the whole lot is so darkish. We wished one thing humorous,” he added.

Whereas the humor of the present generated some combined responses among the many viewers, with one visitor noting that the stand-up routines of the protagonists “may very well be funnier,” others appreciated the characters performed by Mariama Gueye, Younes Boucif, Elsa Guedj and Jean Siuen. Following its premiere at Sequence Mania, the sequence launched on Netflix on March 18.

“It reveals French youth, in some way. It’s not about stand-up – it’s about French society,” mentioned Hippolyte Girardot, not too long ago seen in “The French Dispatch,” wihile actor Zacharie Chasseriaud calling it “touching.”

Whereas Marc Dugain, novelist and movie director, described the sequence’ humor as “very, very French,” “Unorthodox” star and juror Shira Haas added: “I believe that humor is common. When one thing feels genuine, it crosses languages and different boundaries. I’m a giant fan of ‘Name My Agent!’ so I used to be wanting ahead to it and was not upset. It’s a tremendous mixture of humor and feelings, and the performing was simply excellent.”

“Comedy is rising and turning into actually necessary. It’s political. Lastly, it’s not nearly shopping for sneakers and fucking girls. Additionally, being on stage is numerous work. I may see myself stressing, eager to be good. It felt actual,” mentioned actor Romain Brau.

Saud Kassas, taking part in Sequence Mania Israel-France drama sequence co-writing residency with “Oasis,” chimed in: “Writers who are usually not actually making a dwelling out of writing will sympathize with the principle character. That’s me!”