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For fans of international TV, news of the return of South Korean smash hit Squid Game for a third and final season was the big takeaway from Netflix’s global program showcase this week. But beyond the bloodsport, Netflix’s international line-up included several tantalizing new projects, featuring some of the world’s biggest stars, including French actor Omar Sy, German talent Matthias Schweighöfer, and Mexican VIP Alfonso Herrera, who all unveiled new local originals for the streaming giant.

Sy, who went from local to global superstar on the back of Netflix’s Lupin, will bring his latest feature, French Lover, to the platform this year. The romantic drama sees Sy falling for Marion (The Bureau actress Sara Giraudeau), the literal girl next door. Schweighöfer, whose 2021 action comedy Army of Thieves, was a surprise hit for Netflix, returns with Brick, from Tribes of Europe director Philip Koch. The high-concept sci-fi...

Imagine a show that draws its inspiration from comedy's facetiousness, mockumentary's ease, and creative liberty. Then, picture it as a historical drama that does not treat itself seriously. Yes, The Great might be an initial guess due to its recent recognition, but it's not the only TV show with similar themes. Netflix's 1670 is a less obvious choice for post-Christmas binge-watching, but right now, no other show delivers the same combination of humor and irreverence that we miss about Elle Fanning and Nicholas Hoult's Hulu series. 1670 not only deliberately exploits Polish history for its story purposes, but offers a defiant sense of humor that does not differ from classical mockumentary titles. It's also quite educational. The audience is not expected to have any particular knowledge of Polish history; thus, viewers can readily invest themselves in this loony microcosm of intellectual peasants and quixotic nobility.

1670 introduced Jan Pawel as a man who grew up with only one dream: to become the most famous and respected man ever to be born in Poland. He was the richest landowner in his village, Adamczycha, until his arch-nemesis came along. Andrzej sought shelter in the village with his three daughters after his wife’s death. Within just a couple of years of his arrival, Andrzej had bought half of Adamczycha and Jan and Zofia’s shared hatred. If I’m being honest, Andrzej and Jan Pawel weren’t much different and basically wanted the same things. Jan Pawel wanted to become the richest person in Poland and marry his daughter, Aniela, to a rich magnate so he would never have to worry about both money and respect.

Spoilers Ahead

Why Was Jan Always In Disagreement With Andrezj?

If you’d streamed 1670 on Netflix, you’d know that Andrzej...