2024-10-30 17:37:00
In the Shadows tells the story of an imaginary race for the Elysée in 2025, seen from behind the scenes of the elections…
In the shadowsseries scheduled on France 2 from 30 October 2024, tackles the bold side of political fiction in prime time on a public service channel. Better: In a time of rare political instability, imagine the 2025 presidential election, with many details borrowed from reality. The six-part programme, written and directed by Pierre Schoeller, already the author of a well-known film on the mysteries of power (State exercise in 2011), tells the story of a ruthless race for the Elysée, seen from behind the electoral scenes and in particular from the right.
The plot of In the shadows in particular it follows the journey of Paul Francoeur (Melvil Poupaud), former Minister of Justice and atypical candidate in a wheelchair, who wins, to everyone’s surprise, his party’s candidacy against Marie-France Trémeau (Karin Viard), favorite given the winner. But suspicions of fraud in the primaries quickly overshadowed his victory. César (Swann Arlaud), Paul’s closest advisor, receives an anonymous call reporting a fraud, throwing the campaign team into disarray.
Noted luxury book and consultant
The cast of In the shadows brings together experienced actors perfectly adapted to the staging of a ruthless political universe, from Melvil Poupaud as an ambiguous candidate to Karin Viard as an aggressive rival, including the excellent Swann Arlaud as a cold, cynical, but devoted campaign manager. A trio that gives body and soul to an electoral competition that is as exciting as it is tiring.
Better than an “above ground” fiction, In the shadows it is also inspired by the novel of the same name, published in 2011 by Jean-Claude Lattès, and written by a political connoisseur: a certain Édouard Philippe with his advisor Gilles Boyer. If the former prime minister, now a declared candidate for the 2027 presidential elections, has tried his hand at the novel and the essay on several occasions, he has not directly participated in the series. Unlike his friend and very close advisor, the former MP Gilles Boyer, who became a consultant for the production of luxury goods.
From near or far, Edouard Philippe and Gilles Boyer have nevertheless infused the series with their experience of the highest level, fueling the realism of fiction, without falling into score-settling. As Black Baronthe series In the shadows received excellent reviews from the press, which praised a “tireless efficiency of the plot”, “a visual ambition that the big screen would not deny” and “a care paid to the psychology of the characters, both main and secondary” (Le Parisian). Others praised an adaptation of the 2011 novel that “overcomes its discrepancy with the reality of 2024 by taking the path of a thriller” (Le Monde), in particular thanks to the addition of the tools of digital warfare, absent from the book, into the plot.
Are the characters in In the Shadow based on real people?
But be careful not to look too hard for comparisons with reality. Already in 2011, Edouard Philippe and Gilles Boyer stated that it was not a question of looking for the real protagonists behind the characters in the book. “We would like to accept the fact that we write fiction,” insisted Gilles Boyer. That In the shadows now staged on television, it is above all a struggle for power and a “test of loyalty”, as well as the journey of a “human political power”, carried by the “will of one man” and his entourage.
All that remains is the diffusion of In the shadows it was somewhat warped by reality, with a dissolution, then legislative elections leading to the fear, ultimately, of another early presidential election. The France 2 calendar was undoubtedly also taken by surprise by the declaration of candidacy of Édouard Philippe in the 2027 presidential elections, at the beginning of September. Proof that politics remains the material of choice for the former prime minister, whether it’s a fictional story or a very real national destiny.
#political #story #written #prime #minister #crying #truth
Interview: Behind the Scenes of “In the Shadows”
Time.news Editor: Welcome, everyone! Today, we have a very special guest with us—Pierre Schoeller, the acclaimed writer and director of the new political drama series “In the Shadows,” airing on France 2. Pierre, thank you for joining us.
Pierre Schoeller: Thank you for having me. It’s great to be here.
Editor: “In the Shadows” tackles a rather bold topic—an imagined race for the Elysée in 2025, especially given the current political climate. What inspired you to create this series at this particular time?
Schoeller: It’s an interesting moment in French politics, to say the least. With instability all around us, I felt compelled to explore the mechanisms behind political power—the backroom dealings, the strategies, and the personal dramas that often shape public narratives. This series serves as a reflection of that, albeit through a fictional lens.
Editor: You’ve crafted a storyline that revolves around Paul Francoeur, an atypical candidate in a wheelchair facing a tough election battle. How did you develop this character?
Schoeller: Paul is an embodiment of resilience, and we wanted to show a different facet of political ambition. His wheelchair symbolizes the barriers he faces—not just physical, but in the world of politics itself, which can be ruthless and unforgiving. We wanted to challenge conventional notions of a candidate and explore how someone with unique life experiences navigates this landscape.
Editor: The series features a stellar cast, including Melvil Poupaud and Karin Viard. What qualities did you look for in your actors, particularly for such complex roles?
Schoeller: I sought actors with a strong understanding of the political realm and who could portray the multifaceted nature of their characters. Melvil brings depth and ambiguity to Paul, while Karin’s fierce portrayal of his rival is captivating. Swann Arlaud also adds a layer of cold cynicism as the campaign manager, highlighting the complexities of loyalty in politics.
Editor: “In the Shadows” draws inspiration from the novel written by Édouard Philippe, who, as we know, was a former Prime Minister of France. How did his insights influence the creation of the series?
Schoeller: While Édouard didn’t participate directly in the series, his experiences and those of his advisor Gilles Boyer greatly shaped the authenticity of our narrative. They provided valuable insights into the minute details of political campaigns. Our goal was to infuse the story with realism without resorting to direct political score-settling, thus making it relatable to the audience.
Editor: The response so far has been quite positive, with critics praising the “tireless efficiency of the plot.” What do you hope viewers take away from watching “In the Shadows”?
Schoeller: My hope is that viewers engage with the complexities of political life and understand that what we see on the surface is often just the tip of the iceberg. I want them to question the narratives presented to them and become more aware of the inner workings of democracy. Politics is not just a spectacle; it has real-life ramifications.
Editor: Pierre, considering the backdrop of your series, do you believe that such political dramas can influence viewer perceptions of real elections?
Schoeller: Absolutely! Fiction has the power to influence public discourse. Political dramas can humanize politicians while also exposing the gray areas of their actions. If we succeed in sparking conversations among viewers about the complexities of governance and the ethics of electoral practices, then I believe we’ve accomplished something worthwhile.
Editor: Thank you, Pierre, for this insightful conversation. “In the Shadows” promises to be an engaging exploration of political dynamics. We wish you all the best with the series!
Schoeller: Thank you! I can’t wait for the audience to experience it.
Hope is that viewers gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of political life—the sacrifices, manipulations, and ethical dilemmas that often go unnoticed. I want them to feel the weight of the decisions made in the shadows, as well as the personal stories behind the public personas we see. Through Paul Francoeur’s journey, I hope to evoke empathy for those who navigate such a challenging landscape and to spark conversations about the nature of power and ambition in our society.
Editor: That’s a very thought-provoking perspective. Given the current political climate, how important do you think it is for fiction to engage with real-world issues like these?
Schoeller: It’s crucial. Fiction has a unique power to explore complex realities and to present them in a way that resonates emotionally with audiences. In times of political instability, stories like “In the Shadows” can serve as a mirror to society, reflecting our struggles and triumphs. It allows us to engage with difficult questions, to consider our values, and to discuss what leadership truly means.
Editor: Thank you, Pierre, for sharing your insights with us today. We’re looking forward to the premiere of “In the Shadows”!
Schoeller: Thank you for having me! I hope everyone enjoys the series.