Arcadia

One of the best Flemish/Dutch series ever!!!! I am not really a fan of Belgian series but this is mind blowing. Very interesting characters, good story, beautiful decor, good actors,... The series keeps you busy thinking about it, with lots of surprises inside the storyline. You can talk and talk and talk about it for hours, how things go, what theory is behind everything. Never a bored moment. The ending episode is amazing, just keeps you with your mouth open, surprised,...and waiting and counting down to the next season. Arcadia is a must watch serie. I hope there will be a season two as soon as possible.

This is a well produced series... it is slow paced. It probably would have worked much better in an 8 million euro 3 hour film in stead of the 8 million euro 8 part series which it is now.... The sets are beautiful and believable. Lynn van Rooyen as Luz is excellent, I bet we will hear from her more in international productions.... the overall cast is quite good. As this first season ends on a cliffhanger, it means that for the viewer the ending is a bit disappointing.... loose strings are not getting tied for us, apparently we need to wait for more information about the who, the what and the why of Arcadia and the main forces pulling the strings in that society.... the storyline overall is quite okay although at points it becomes really too slow. As said, a 3 hour film probably would have given the whole production a bit more umpf.... Arcadia is still worth your while though, although a bit unsatisfying at times. It is very different from the British production Years and Years, which also is about a dystopian society, but within our current time. Years and Years though, is much more rooted in real people, real relationships and it has a real dynamic way of telling a real story with real ideas, real people.... here the ideas are a little bit more philosophical and the characters are more one- (and a half) dimensional.... Though, again: well produced, gorgeous sets and good actors... For season 2 they need to ask Russel T. Davies (the man who wrote Years and Years) for some feedback.

And this series has everything right. From architecture, safety nudging (deuren sluiten) marketing, even children's books (Lientje is een tientje) the tapistry of detail never stops. EVERYTHING is just right. This level of detail is what netflix and Hollywood completely lost and is only possible in indie or European production. There are no USoA viewers who can appreciate this as they judge video productions by their own narrow standards.

Acting is totally onpar and above. I'm dutch but never realised so much talent in Belgium (Vlamingen that is). A great world is created sometimses Tarkovskian, sometimes GATTACA or Blade Runner. I anticipate a British production of The Wall.

Must see because it raises many questions how to act or not to act in a dictatorial regime being chosing between family or obedience to the regime. Maybe a lot of you will say " seen that already" but I already saw a lot of films on this issue though this is different and shows well the personal struggle you make in different circumstances. The setting is dark and grey adding the right sphere for this series with a good music score. Very good acting and you feel involved to each character. I'm looking forward to seeing the next season because there was also a good cliffhanger at the end of the first season.

In Belgium the series is received with very mixed reviews, mostly because Belgian people like to complain about things, especially when it concerns something outside the comfort zone, or actually very close. And also when taxpayer's money is involved... But I haven't seen too many argumented opinions. So, I'll try to write an honest review of the series, especially aimed at those who doubt, but are open to try something new.

Although the world in which it takes place lacks some depth, the plot becomes more mysterious and gripping towards the end with a massive cliffhanger as the ultimate reward. Along the way, the series frequently tests your emotions and also inspires you to think. Despite having seen similar dystopian stories before, some social and technological parameters in this near-future world seem frighteningly close, especially at the rate where we humans allow technology to enter our lives for the benefit of convenience and luxury, no matter the potential privacy rights that are given up.

Considering it's made by Dutch and Belgian production companies, the sets, costumes and environments are impressive, and the deliberate choice for an 80s technology design only adds to the visually appealing cinematography. Maybe the choice for old fashioned looking technology is also there to make viewers feel at ease, as the use of technology based on things we use today, might scare people more easily because of its familiarity. At least now, we still have a sort of 'far away from reality'-feeling.

As the series is broadcasted in both the Netherlands and Belgium, some characters may come across as stiff because they avoid specific dialects and some might even look a bit unnatural. However, this does not detract from the icing on the cake: the outstanding performances of the main cast, especially by Lynn Van Royen, who convincingly portrays a special needs character that masterfully tugs at the viewer's heartstrings in expected and unexpected ways. Also praise for the young Dutch actress Ellie de Lange for her emotionally strong and believable performance.

One possible hurdle might be that it takes about three episodes to get into it, so give the series a chance to conquer you and be open to a daring genre that is rarely seen in the Netherlands and especially Belgium, let alone at this level of production. I am already looking forward to the second part.