Set in Denmark, a crucial political decision forces the nation to evacuate due to an impending environmental disaster. This upheaval leads to families being separated and lives drastically altered, particularly for high school senior Laura. Acclaimed filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg explores the emotional aftermath of this crisis, focusing on personal stories amid chaos. The series emphasizes human resilience and connection, showcasing a blend of tragedy and hope as characters navigate their new realities. The first episodes premiere on CANAL+.
What is the Series About?
This summer in Denmark starts off as seemingly ordinary, but a pivotal political decision turns everything upside down. To avert a catastrophic environmental disaster, the nation must evacuate to escape impending floods. As a result, the Danish populace scatters, leaving behind abandoned homes, vacant schools, and deserted streets.
In the blink of an eye, families and friends find themselves torn apart, rendering material possessions meaningless. Life trajectories shift dramatically, with only a fortunate few finding solace. For Laura, a high school senior on the verge of graduation, this event marks a transformative moment in her life.
Is It Worth Your Time?
Acclaimed Danish filmmaker Thomas Vinterberg is celebrated both in Europe and globally for his compelling narratives that delve deep into the intricate relationships within families and friendships amidst crises, horror, and despair.
Audiences recognize his mastery through notable films such as The Hunt, Festen, The Commune, and Drunk, earning him numerous accolades, including Oscars for Best Direction and Best Foreign Film.
His collaboration with CANAL+ to produce his first-ever series feels like a natural progression, following similar partnerships with other esteemed filmmakers like Xavier Dolan and Xavier Giannoli.
Imagining the Catastrophe: A ‘What If?’ Scenario
Families like ours is a passion project for Thomas Vinterberg, conceived during his time in Paris seven years ago, long before the onset of the global pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions. What once seemed like a far-fetched idea has grown increasingly relevant today.
The narrative explores a conceivable ecological disaster that could submerge Denmark beneath rising waters, effectively erasing it from existence. This imminent crisis compels the entire populace to heed governmental orders, evacuating their homes and lives in search of safety elsewhere.
Through this series, Vinterberg confronts us with a daunting possibility that often goes unconsidered despite the daily human tragedies presented in news outlets and social media, prompting the question: ‘What if this happened to me?’.
Without adopting a preachy tone or a political agenda, the Danish writer-director challenges the assumptions of privileged nations regarding the migrant crisis, urging viewers to confront a reality that, while distant for some, is painfully tangible for countless families worldwide.
A Heartbreaking Intimate Drama with a Ray of Hope
While the harrowing backdrop establishes a stark reality, Families like ours focuses more on the emotional aftermath than the mechanics of the disaster, aptly summarized by its tagline: ‘A country fades away, feelings remain’.
The series delves into the lives of various characters, either part of or connected to a specific family, as they strive to navigate the chaos of bureaucratic hurdles, clandestine escapes, separations, assaults, political rejection, and ever-present danger.
Some characters will find refuge, others will face transformative life changes in new countries. True to his previous works, Vinterberg adeptly weaves themes of love and the will to survive into the fabric of profound tragedy, skillfully avoiding simplistic portrayals while highlighting the complex nature of human decision-making.
The series format allows Families like ours to take the necessary time to forge a connection with its characters, pacing the narrative through emotional twists that both uplift and break the heart.
The episodes envelop viewers in a persistent tension and escalating fear, culminating in a hopeful finale that juxtaposes a nation stripped of its essence with hearts that are renewed elsewhere, particularly through the eyes of Laura (Amaryllis August, exceptional), the story’s protagonist and a beacon for a hopeful new generation.
The first two episodes of ‘Families like ours’ premiere tonight on CANAL+ and are available on myCANAL. The remainder of the series will air at a rate of two episodes each Monday evening.