Studiocanal, Komplizen Series ‘A Better Place’ Imagines a World Without Prisons: ‘Our System Is Broken’

As a lifelong cinephile who has spent countless hours delving into the depths of international cinema, I must say that “A Better Place” is a series that truly piques my interest. The concept of a society attempting to reintegrate its prisoners without prisons is not only thought-provoking but also deeply relevant in today’s polarized world.

Picture a world devoid of prisons. In the eight-episode series “A Better Place,” making its debut at Mipcom, one city dares to enact this concept, shutting down their correctional facilities and welcoming prisoners back into society. While some applaud the notion, others are filled with dread.

As a movie critic, I find myself compelled to discuss this intriguing topic at hand. The global landscape is increasingly divided, shades of gray fading away in favor of stark black and white contrasts. This series, however, offers a thought-provoking exploration of the repercussions stemming from such an experience, as articulated by Nicolas Loock, the managing director of Studiocanal TV and Studiocanal Series.

It’s crucial that we learn to forgive, as holding onto grudges leaves little else. We aim to make this topic engaging, and I’d love to spark a conversation around it since there are parallel studies ongoing. Various nations are exploring alternative methods for rehabilitation.

The series titled “A Better Place” is a German production jointly made by Komplizen Serien, Studiocanal Series, WDR, ARD Degeto, Canal+ France, and Canal+ Austria. This captivating show was developed by Alexander Lindh, who also acts as the showrunner, with Laurent Mercier. Anne Zohra Berrached and Konstantin Bock are responsible for directing this series.

Chloe Marquet, head of international sales for films and TV Series at Studiocanal, notes that the [concept] might seem problematic if it’s limited to a single solution. However, she emphasizes that our approach aims to introduce complexity and shades of gray into this ongoing discussion. She further expresses her view that our current system is flawed, and we need to explore alternative solutions.

In the opening episode, a sentence stood out to me. The idea is that in countries like the U.S., where capital punishment exists, crime rates are still increasing, suggesting its effectiveness is questionable. During the upcoming presidential election, there will undoubtedly be engaging discussions about this topic.

In this series, ex-inmates strive to adapt back to everyday living, while relatives of past victims demand accountability. Meanwhile, activists and politicians endeavor to reshape society – either for genuine change or to boost their reputation.

Maria Hofstätter, Steven Sowah, Katharina Schüttler, Johannes Kienast, Sandra Borgmann, Richard Sammel, Ulrich Brandhoff, Alev Irmak, Youness Aabbaz, Aysima Ergün, Cynthia Micas, and Constantin von Jascheroff are the main cast. (or) The principal actors include Maria Hofstätter, Steven Sowah, Katharina Schüttler, Johannes Kienast, Sandra Borgmann, Richard Sammel, Ulrich Brandhoff, Alev Irmak, Youness Aabbaz, Aysima Ergün, Cynthia Micas, and Constantin von Jascheroff. (or) In this production, we see Maria Hofstätter, Steven Sowah, Katharina Schüttler, Johannes Kienast, Sandra Borgmann, Richard Sammel, Ulrich Brandhoff, Alev Irmak, Youness Aabbaz, Aysima Ergün, Cynthia Micas, and Constantin von Jascheroff taking the leading roles. (or) Among the stars of this project are Maria Hofstätter, Steven Sowah, Katharina Schüttler, Johannes Kienast, Sandra Borgmann, Richard Sammel, Ulrich Brandhoff, Alev Irmak, Youness Aabbaz, Aysima Ergün, Cynthia Micas, and Constantin von Jascheroff.

Initially, Loock observes that the portrayal appears as a utopia, which naturally seems lighter in tone. What captivates me most is the aspect of restorative justice. As we delve deeper, there’s a sense of descending into darkness, but there remains a glimmer of action and hope.

“Our discussion delves into deep, thought-provoking questions, bordering on philosophy. However, instead of providing abstract answers, we’re using relatable human emotions to address these issues. This approach allows our audience to connect and empathize with the content.

According to Marquet, the show’s atmosphere mirrors one of the strong points of European series – it maintains a realistic tone. He explains that the characters seem authentic and grow throughout the series, making the entire plotline more intriguing and captivating due to their development and relatability.

“The main goal was to be authentic,” agrees Loock.

As a devoted movie lover, I can tell you that every detail was meticulously crafted in the making of this production, even going as far as constructing a community center from the ground up. We valued diverse perspectives and aimed to keep things engaging, avoiding any potential monotony. There were numerous conversations with our commissioners about striking this delicate balance, as it was essential that we respected their expectations.

Originating from Germany and truly a collaboration between Austria and France, the film “A Better Place” is not a mere “Euroblend,” as he emphasizes.

We’ve invested considerable effort with these three commissioners, ensuring the production remained the focus rather than any particular nation’s demands. As European content creators, it’s crucial we steer clear of such situations. Our goal is to safeguard the project’s authenticity and ensure its success.

Set to premiere in the winter, “A Better Place” might continue.

Loock acknowledges, “If given the chance, we’ll gladly take it. Originally conceived as a trilogy by Alex and Laurent, it has always been known for its complex narrative structure. With such intricate storytelling, there’s certainly room for continuation.” Marquet echoes, “In today’s world, one needs to stand out, and I believe we have managed to do so. This question serves as a thought-provoker: ‘Can you envision a world without prisons?’ It stirs up various emotions.

2024-10-22 15:17

Studiocanal, Komplizen Series ‘A Better Place’ Imagines a World Without Prisons: ‘Our System Is Broken’

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