In “Under Control” on ARTE, a series by Charly Delwart, Léa Drucker is appointed Foreign Minister, for better and for worse.
Both cinema and television have proven many times that politics is a breeding ground for comedy. Screenwriter Charly Delwart proves this again with “Under Control”, a biting satire on an NGO boss who has been appointed foreign minister. Arriving at the Quai d’Orsay, she was caught up in the political tornado that brought with it the welcome gift of a hostage situation in the Sahel. More than that is missing.
Léa Drucker shines in the role of the somewhat lost minister. The actress, who has recently excelled in darker and more dramatic areas, is reminded here of her comedic potential. Every line hits the mark, all thanks to the fine and sharp writing.
Winner of the “Best Series” award for the French competition at the Séries Mania festival last March, this fiction manages to ridicule sensitive topics. In an interview with CNC, creator Charly Delwart explains how to find the right balance:
“Don’t say anything on this topic. Don’t say anything about the policy of making “everything rot”! That’s not the point of the series. We are in no way suggesting that these people are incompetent.
And then in the intrigue of the crisis that Marie Tessier experiences [le personnage principal, interprété par Léa Drucker, ndlr]“We wanted to laugh at the kidnappers, but certainly not at the hostages.”
Due to a complicated context, the series was not filmed in the Elysée Palace and the Quai d’Orsay. Certain locations were recreated in a private mansion opposite the Petit Palais or in the town hall of Versailles. The illusion is perfect.
The series Under Control is available to stream on the ARTE.tv platform and will be broadcast on the channel on Thursday, October 5th.