French True Crime Breaks Barriers at Home and Abroad

As a fan who’s binge-watched my fair share of true crime series from around the globe, let me tell you, the French are truly raising the bar this year! The non-fiction miniseries “Unsuspected” is a game-changer that has blurred the lines between fiction and documentary. It’s like they took the best of both worlds and mixed them up with a secret sauce only the French know how to make.


As a passionate cinephile, I’d like to share an intriguing tidbit about the captivating miniseries “Unsuspected,” which made its debut this year at Series Mania. This gripping thriller series has been covertly capturing viewers’ attention with its compelling narrative and enigmatic characters

This project is an intriguing exploration of intertwining factual programs and investigative reporting, blending two distinct worlds into a four-part inquiry. The subject is a captivating enigma, seldom unveiled in a factual program, but then, “Unsuspected” is an unusual document. By assembling a duo of filmmakers with disparate backgrounds in narrative storytelling and undercover reporting, we delve into a challenging 1970s chilling case. This unique project combines archival records with imaginative reenactments, resulting in a task that defies simple classification

Julia Schulte from France TV Distribution notes, “The distinction between fiction and reality is growing increasingly vague.” She continues, “Is this a scripted show or a true-to-life documentary? It can be difficult to tell – but what’s indisputable is that the program is incredibly engaging.”

Developed by Elodie Polo Ackermann, CEO of Imagissime, who is known for her role as creative executive in the hit Netflix series “Who Killed Little Gregory?”, this miniseries selected for Series Mania delved into a captivating narrative. It centered around a Parisian psychiatrist who was compulsively driven to bring justice to a series of sexual assaults and murders that remained unsolved for over four decades

In an elegant and straightforward manner, let’s highlight that the series, which has been captivating audiences at the Lille showcase, will soon be aired on France TV during its prime-time fictional block. This program stands out as a significant contributor to the progress of the true crime genre

French True Crime Breaks Barriers at Home and Abroad

“In an unprecedented manner, the barriers between the realms of documentary and fiction are becoming increasingly porous,” remarks Schulte. “Typically, the domains remain isolated. Documentary buyers rarely delve into fantasy, while fiction creators seldom venture into factual content. However, this boundary is dissolving as French producers demonstrate what’s feasible.”

Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, a renowned French director, significantly influenced the true crime genre in 2004. He can be referred to as the godfather of this genre. Over the years, he has been working on scripted and showrunning limited series like HBO’s original “Laetitia” and critically acclaimed “Sambre: Anatomy of a Crime.” Whether revisiting a 2011 murder case or examining more than three decades of sexual assaults, both used true crime as a lens through which to explore broader sociological concerns

“The show, ‘Sambre: Anatomy of a Crime,’ shattered records during its prime-time broadcast on France 2 last winter. It attracted over 4 million viewers per episode, securing an average market share of 19%. The limited series also garnered an additional 3 million views online and almost 6 million VOD plays.”

Restaging a classic case in two distinct adaptations can be creatively expressed as:

In order to elevate the allure of the “French Roulette” series in international markets with robust local productions, Julia Schulte suggests emphasizing settings like the Cote d’Azur as “Chic Riviera” and the Paris as “Unsuspected Charm.”

“She notes that France carries a strong visual impact. For instance, as demonstrated by the Olympics, Paris continues to captivate people worldwide, even in English-speaking communities. We’re capable of sharing this enchantment globally as well.”

French True Crime Breaks Barriers at Home and Abroad

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2024-09-05 13:17