From French TV comes PROUD a powerful three part mini series that is a three-generation family drama about being gay in France from the 1980’s on.
It’s how a committed Socialist working-class family had to cope with the reality that the outspoken liberal views of the father were severely challenged when he could not accept his son’s sexuality. Especially because it was illegal to be gay in France at the time
Filmmaker César Award Winner Philippe Faucon’s compelling story kicks of when teeenager Victor (Benjamin Voisin) is working on construction sites with his father, Charles (Frédéric Pierrot) before going off the Architecture School. Charles is not too keen on Aurélie (Lou Roy-Lecollinet) Victors’ girlfriend but quickly changes his mind after spotting his son furtively making out with Sélim (Sami Outalbali)
Refusing to accept that Victor could be gay , he fires Sélim, but when the truth comes out home, his anger pushes Victor out on the street and in to the arms of Serge (Stanislas Nordey). an older gay man
This is all at the time in the 1980’s when the laws were stacked against the LGBTQ community, and many relationships were driven into the shadows of secrecy, France was also on the verge of change having now voted in the Socialist leader Mitterand as President.
As we flash forward in time and Victor (Samuel Theis) is now an adult, his Mother has finally persuaded his father to accept not just his sexuality but also his relationship with Serge that is still going strong. Serge is now HIV+ and working as a counsellor for a Support Group for homelesss LGBTQ youth, whilst Victor is finally an architect.
Victor now wants to increase his family unit by becoming a parent, but even though the Adoption Agency in theory will consider gay men to adopt, the reality is completely different . After Victor’s bungled attempt to pretend to being straight he is refused, but help comes in an unexpected way, and he finally gets his son Diego.
The 3rd act starts with Diego (Julien Lopez) now a teenager, and Charles, a retired widower, is his doting grandfather. The relationship between Charles and Victor is strained as they have swapped roles as Charles is now the indulgent and sensitive parent, and Victor turns into an uptight disciplinarian., who seems to cause more problems than he solves.
Kudos to Faucon for sustaining Victor and Serge’s relationship throughout the decades, What had started as hook up in the park late at night is now a fully-fledged marriage even though they have not taken advantage of the new law on Civil Partnerships. They have always had an open relationship which has had its up and downs, particularly with Serge now having full blown AIDS, but it so refreshing that they are soul mates in every sense of the word.
PROUD plays like a movie with fascinating plot line that keeps you hooked until the very end. Seeing how a gay relationship survives and flourishes at the same time France starts to get a grip on LGBTQ rights makes for compelling viewing. It deals not just with family dynamics, homophobia but also racism too.
It’s a tight plot filled script, and a lot of the credits goes to an extremely talented cast for making this feel-good intergenerational queer drama seem so very authentic.
PROUD can be viewed via https://kinomarquee.com/film/
Labels: 2020, French, TV mini series
