As part of the non-competitive program “Series!” The Odessa International Film Festival hosted a screening of the Belgian drama series “Public Enemy” directed by Matthew Frances and Gary Sanger.
Previously, this film was already awarded the MipDrama Screenings Coup de Coeur Award at the MIPTV 2016 television market.
The film tells the story of a particularly dangerous criminal, Guy Beranger, who was released from prison after a long imprisonment and given the right to settle in the monastery of Vilsart Abbey. Local residents and monks are prejudiced against their new roommate. However, the criminal repents and his confession is accepted by the monk. However, soon after, a girl disappears nearby. The young inspector Chloe Muller undertakes to restore justice, who during the investigation will have to confront the anger of the masses.
Director Matthew Frances talks about the real story this series was based on, as well as what it has in common with classical literature and post-Soviet TV.
The starting point for writing the script for your series was the story of serial killer Marc Dutroux, who committed a series of crimes in Belgium in the 90s. Is the main character of your film a copy of him?
Not really. Marc Dutroux is currently serving a life sentence. His wife Michelle was found to be an accomplice in many of his crimes. But after 12 years in prison, she was released on the condition that she would remain in a provincial monastery under very strict conditions for the rest of her life. People living near the monastery were categorically against such a person being in the monastery. They even organized demonstrations. She was transferred from prison two years ago. Just then we were looking for a theme for a new series. And we decided to use this story as a starting point. But we immediately decided to write our own story rather than reconstruct these events.
The main character of your film is somewhat reminiscent of Jean Valjean from Les Misérables by Victor Hugo. This is a person who is also trying to prove to society that he has reformed and has been reborn from a criminal into a worthy citizen.
Yes, you are absolutely right. Our story is about how society gives a second chance to a criminal, trying to forgive him. Hugo also wrote about this. A similar question is asked in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – who really is a monster and can a monster become part of society? We raise these same topics in our series. The main character in our film killed a lot of people. And we are not sure that he will never repeat his crimes again. But do we have the right to take his life? And is it worth giving him a chance?
Where has your film been shown before?
In Belgium, the series was broadcast on one of the largest channels in prime time. Negotiations are also currently underway about releasing the film in other countries. But I can already say that the series will most likely be shown in France, Switzerland, Spain and the UK.
On post-Soviet television, there is a predominance of series about law enforcement officers. Is this topic so popular in Belgium too?
Yes, sure. Moreover, in recent years the situation with terrorist attacks has worsened (in Brussels, Paris, Nice). Therefore, security and police have become one of the most discussed topics in society. Naturally, this is reflected in the series. But often police officers do not become the main positive heroes of our films. This, in particular, is what distinguishes our “Enemy of the People”.
What series do you consider to be the standard?
I’ve watched Breaking Bad multiple times. I also carefully re-read the scripts for all of his seasons. And I can say with confidence that they are the standard of screenwriting skills. They can be read simply, like a textbook. And in terms of the freedom that is present in the series, I would say True Detective. Of course, I can’t help but mention the Scandinavian TV series “Murder” and “Government”, which are closer to us in mentality, worldview and even climate than the American ones.
Matthew Frances
Program “Series!” was organized within the framework of the “TV Series” project by the TV channel “Ukraine” and the media consulting company Media Resources Management in partnership with FILM.UA Group.