Anita Rowan has been making up stories for over ten years. She wrote several sketches of it parentthe five seasons ofO’in addition to collaboration The escape, Another story, The side effect And chaos. Over the last two years she has had the opportunity to further develop as a solo author by leading two major projects.
Eyes Closed (Wednesday 9 p.m. on ICI Télé) explores the events that shape us from youth to grief. A psychological series that delves into the core of the mythology of a family still swimming in incomprehension.
On the Club illico side, Les révoltés testifies to the fight for social justice between a lawyer and a journalist. They help, each in their own way, the oppressed and disadvantaged that our system is confronted with. A current fiction that can hardly leave us indifferent.
Photo provided by Karl Jessy
The idea of Rebels comes from Fabienne Larouche and Michel Trudeau. Did you have a nice playground to create the series?
Michel and Fabienne take social concerns into account in everything they do. They like useful, thought-provoking television that’s anchored in the present. They had the idea of a duo that would be a bit like the office of last resort. There is so much dissatisfaction with the system, conspiracy theories and institutions. This has become even more evident since the pandemic. From then on I had complete freedom to play Éléonore and Jacob. I spoke to a journalist who is a bit like this office of last resort, I did a lot of research so that every story is anchored in credible reality. Although I have a lot of imagination, I have had to talk to people who have been wronged as well as people in the system. This is how the cases came to light.
We know that an author writes, but as you said, the texts were preceded by a lot of research. How did you divide your work?
I like to do my own research because the cases take shape in my head as I get to know people. It’s almost a journalist’s job, even though my job is mostly to entertain people. What I like and has become my specialty is depicting all shades of gray. Nothing is completely black or white. Despite its title, it is a series of nuances: The Rebels. At the DPJ, for example, we often take the children’s perspective. My entry point was more like a host family. It took several weeks of research, then I turned to my colleagues, specialists in their field. My challenge is to absorb the facts and put them aside so that fiction takes over. I also have a desire to make people think.
Éléonore is a lawyer, Jacob is a journalist, two important professions to change the world. Do they have real power?
They have the same goals. They are two young idealists whose ideals clash with narrow-minded officials. They approach this in different ways. Through the lever of justice, which is powerful, and through the method of journalistic investigation, which gives a certain power because public opinion counts a lot. Sometimes they help each other and sometimes they don’t. A blatant injustice is often only solved after it has become known in the media.
It’s an ambitious series. Have the budget constraints forced you to feel great sadness?
I’m lucky enough to work for a production company that puts all the money on the screen. We recreated Haiti in Laval and I think the magic happens. The decisions served more to prevent the story from floundering. We have multiple universes, but I didn’t feel any limitation. Louis Choquette, the director, has incredible experience. We have formed a great creative team.
The series addresses immigration, domestic violence, medical errors and homelessness. We are talking about the DPJ, the indigenous question. We know that producing television takes time. How do I stay up to date?
I wrote the series two years ago, Roxham Road wasn’t closed. I don’t have a crystal ball, I go there with topics that concern me. Unfortunately, these problems have not been solved. I praise the broadcaster for having the courage to allow us to discuss these topics freely. I’m not taking a position. These are, above all, human stories. I don’t pretend to change minds, but I hope to make a difference to viewers. This series challenged me and developed me as a person.
►The rebels Offered on Club illico