Fiertés

Interesting, Enjoyable, Meaningful and Memorable! Solid and intelligent plot that is well-produced and well-acted. Given everything else that is available out there; this mini-series definitely deserves the high rating.

First, this is so safe and timid, one has to wonder why this was produced and aired on Arte and not France 2. Let's admit they tried (very clumsily) to embrace a large audience. Still, if the third episode wasn't set in 2013, you could swear this was produced in the 90's. Fiertés (what a badly chosen title, considering the result) only is the mostly joyless depiction of the many pains that a gay man has to go through - as if a gay life was only a life of pain. But the worse part is that this limited series (pun intended) almost always choses the side of the heterosexual characters over the gay ones. As if asking for empathy from a straight audience toward gay men was impossible. Finally, the pace is severely lacking, everything is toned down to the point of total blandness, and the depiction of the working class is laughable. A serious misfire.

A family's story spreading over some 40 years begins in the 1980's, with a gay teen's struggle not so much with his sexuality, but with the social obstacles, discrimination and general disapproval. Although homophobia is still omnipresent in 1980's France, the newly elected socialist Prime Minister Francois Mitterrand brings with him progressive and inclusive policies, even if marriage equality would still be a long way's off.

The protagonist defies societal norms, and his own disapproving father, and leaves home on his 18th birthday to live with a more mature man he had recently met while cruising. Will the rift between father and son be healed? - This 3 part story jumps ahead in time, showing how each generation becomes more progressive and less homophobic. The conclusion is not only hopeful, but a beautiful signal that things are getting better. Perhaps one day soon, it won't even be an issue, and love will be the only measure for happiness, no matter what .