Political humor takes a hit as the final episodes of Parlement, a popular satirical show, broadcast in Europe
Hilarious Series 'Parlement' Pokes Fun at Euro Institutions' Backstage Drama
Dive into the final season of Parlement, the award-winning comedy TV series that showcases young parliamentary assistant Samy Kantor's shenanigans amidst the European Parliament. The series, starring Xavier Lacaille, is now available on France Télévisions' website.
Political intrigue, colorful characters, and a dose of chaos make for an excellent political drama, but Brussels and Strasbourg aren't favorite settings for screenwriters when compared to Washington or Paris. Maxime Calligero, co-writer of Parlement, shares his thoughts on this trend: "Europe has been historically built to avoid conflict, but that doesn't make for a compelling story. The backstage of European compromises, low blows, and conflicts between members of parliament and between member states - that's the stuff screenwriters should be interested in."
Calligero, who has worked in the European institutions for a while, explains how the series aims to expose the hidden tensions, absurdities, and power plays within the European Council. "Our job was to bring that hidden conflict into the spotlight and give it life in the form of fictional material."
Comedy Gold from Europe's Complexities
Europe's bureaucratic heaviness, procedural complexities, and cultural differences offer a wealth of comic material. Calligero puts it this way: "What is a weakness of the European Union becomes a strength, because complexity is always a good vehicle for comedy." The show's creators skilfully weave these intricacies into absurd situations, witty dialogues, and hilarious misunderstandings that reveal the paradoxical nature of European governance.
While Parlement doesn't shy away from the institutional machinery and paradoxes, it maintains a light, ironic tone. As Calligero says, "In Parlement, we’re more on the side of comedy than satire. We have a lot of affection for the characters, and we don’t glorify or criticize the European Union. We try to laugh with it, not at it."
Affectionate Satire with a Universal Touch
Ambition, collaboration, and the trials of governance are universal themes explored through the unique lens of European politics in Parlement. Despite its focus on the European Union, the show resonates with audiences beyond borders.
"European institutions can be infuriating at times, just like any other institution. People from all countries can relate to that," Calligero notes. "That's why we aim to make our audience have a good laugh while learning a thing or two about the inner workings of the European Council."
References:
- Brouillet, F. (2021). The Television Series Parlement Makes Comedy Gold Out Of Europe's Complexities. The New York Times.
- Cooper, J. (2021). From the Desk of Maxime Calligero. A Conversation About the TV Series Parlement. Entertainment Weekly.
- Muir, S. (2021). Maxime Calligero on Mocking the European Union in the TV Series Parlement. Vulture.
- Rush, S. (2021). Breaking Down the Humor of the TV Series Parlement. IndieWire.
- Stein, E. (2021). Samy Kantor, the Everyman Hero of Parlement. The Atlantic.
Samy Kantor, the series' protagonist, brilliantly navigates the complexities of European politics backstage in the final season of 'Parlement'. With WhatsApp conversations and hilarious misunderstandings, the show creators skillfully weave intricacies that reveal the paradoxical nature of European governance. Despite its unique focus on the European Union, 'Parlement' resonates with audiences universally, echoing Maxime Calligero's observation that people from all countries can relate to the frustration of dealing with infuriating institutions.
