Alternate history series are all the rage at the moment, asking viewers to explore worlds that may feel familiar but are often very different and much darker than our own. Shows like Amazon's The Man in the High Castle, which depicts what the world might have looked like had the Nazis won World War II, or The Plot Against America, which sees Nazi sympathizer Charles Lindberg elected U.S. president in Franklin Delano Roosevelt's place, offer grim visions of futures we thankfully avoided. They also make for convenient commentaries on the world we live in now, and the myriad ways it, too, could veer off the rails into darkness.
Netflix's new French drama series La Revolution takes things one step further, imagining an alternate history take on the French Revolution but choosing to frame the famous period of violence and societal upheaval through the lens of horror. In doing so, the series reimagines our present as something that is built, quite literally, on the bones of the past.
Horror and period dramas don't frequently mix, and almost never outside of the realm of Gothic romance. And though we'll occasionally get parody-tinged period properties like Pride and Prejudice and Zombies or Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter, these aren't exactly stories that are meant to truly scare you or to make you think particularly hard. This is a shame because when done well, horror tropes can illuminate and enrich historical pieces in ways that aren't necessarily possible in modern-day stories.
This is not, of course, meant to understate the importance of the Revolution itself or the problems inherent in attempting to tell a nuanced, complex story in the broadest of speculative genre strokes. But this isn't a docudrama, it's an alt-history murder romp about people who may or may not end up eating one another, so prepare your expectations accordingly and embrace the series for what it is: an indulgent, addictive good time that isn't aiming so much to scare you as to enthrall you. (And occasionally use its horror setting to underline real-world problems we still face today.)
In the world of La Revolution, there is plenty of blood and gore, along with a growing army of murderous undead beings that can only be killed via beheading and a sinister plot that involves making the aristocracy functionally immortal by driving them to eat the poor people around them. It's the Reign of Terror in its most literal sense, a retelling that isn't so much concerned with the facts of the time period it's recreating, but the feelings behind it all. And that's actually a generally good thing.
The French people still rise up to fight for their lives against those that would shamelessly use them as fodder for their own comfort in this version of events too, but it's just all a bit more literal (and occasionally visceral) this time around. That this takes place in ways that are maybe a bit uncomfortably familiar for modern audiences is just the icing on the proverbial cake.
La Revolution is set in 1787 in the French county of Montargis, taking place two years before and about 80 miles away from the real site at which the French Revolution ostensibly begins. In the series' opening moments, it flashes forward to a blood-soaked horse, ridden by a mysterious girl intoning dire warnings about the forgetful nature of history before decapitating a man with a machete and watching disinterestedly as a fountain of blue blood gushes from his neck. It is gorgeous, high drama, and it's difficult to look away from.
This girl tells us her name is Madeleine and that what follows is a testament "on how the century of darkness became that of enlightenment," which here seems to generally mean "defeated the undead hordes," but let's just go with it.
The viral outbreak that results among the French aristocracy runs squarely into a brewing uprising led by a nebulous group known as the Brotherhood, and the idea of fighting for bread and decent wages intertwines with a more immediate struggle for their very lives.
Watching this, it's easy to wonder why more series don't take advantage of the power inherent in these historical images, and the way that turning them into horrific warnings and cautionary tales can shake audiences up in new ways. Viva la revolution, indeed.
In today's globalized world, learning French has become increasingly important. With over 275 million speakers worldwide, French is not only a language of romance and culture, but also a language of business, diplomacy, and international relations.
Being able to speak French opens doors to diverse opportunities and helps foster connections with French-speaking communities around the globe. Luckily, language learning has taken an exciting turn with the availability of Rvolution, a captivating French TV series on Netflix.
Rvolution not only offers entertainment but also serves as a powerful tool for learning French, allowing viewers to immerse themselves in the language and culture. With Rvolution, learning French becomes an engaging and enriching experience that transcends traditional language courses.
Learning a foreign language offers a multitude of benefits that extend beyond communication. It enhances cognitive abilities, improves problem-solving skills, and boosts memory and multitasking capabilities. When it comes to choosing a foreign language to learn, French holds significant advantages.
As the fifth most widely spoken language globally, learning French opens doors to a rich and diverse cultural heritage. It grants access to renowned literature, art, cinema, and music. French also provides some access to Latin and other Romance languages.
Moreover, French is an official language in 29 countries, including Belgium and Benin, making it a valuable asset for travel, business, and cultural exchanges. Due to the power of globalization, learning French has never been more important.
Learners can check out Lingopie's streaming service for access to French content or head over to Netflix and start binge-watching Rvolution. With modern technology, learning a second language has never been easier.
La Rvolution, a captivating TV series, takes viewers on a thrilling journey through the tumultuous times of the French Revolution. Set in 1789 Paris, this historical drama delves into the political and social upheaval that shaped modern France.
By immersing ourselves in La Rvolution, we not only witness the gripping storylines and character development but also gain insights into the historical and cultural aspects of the time. The show provides a vivid portrayal of the rise of a political organization and the power dynamics that played pivotal roles during the revolution.
Furthermore, La Rvolution presents a unique opportunity for learners to improve their French language skills. Through the dialogue and interactions between characters, viewers can enhance their listening comprehension and familiarize themselves with authentic French pronunciation.
It is a great idea to write down interesting French phrases and new words that you come across while watching Rvolution. You can even make flashcards of new vocabulary with examples on the back for context.
Rvolution not only provides an engaging storyline but also serves as an excellent resource for improving listening and speaking skills in French. By immersing oneself in the dialogue and interactions of native French speakers in the show, learners can enhance their ability to comprehend spoken French.
The varied accents, intonations, and expressions used by the characters offer an authentic representation of how French is spoken in different contexts. This is a fun way to gain insight into accents and dialects in French.
Furthermore, Rvolution offers a valuable opportunity to master French pronunciation. By closely listening to the actors' enunciation and cadence, learners can develop a better understanding of the nuances and subtleties of the French language.
Through exposure to native French speakers and paying attention to pronunciation in Rvolution, learners can improve their listening comprehension and develop greater confidence in speaking French. These skills will prove invaluable in real-world conversations and interactions with French speakers.
Rvolution offers an immersive way to learn grammar and sentence structure in French through contextual examples. By observing how characters construct sentences and use grammar rules within the show, learners can gain a better understanding of French grammar in a practical and memorable way.
Whether it's observing verb conjugations, sentence formation, or word order, Rvolution provides valuable context that helps learners internalize grammatical concepts. Learners can use subtitles to help them spot grammar patterns.
In addition to grammar, Rvolution presents opportunities for learners to practice writing and reading comprehension through related exercises. By engaging with supplementary materials, such as episode summaries, character analyses, or even writing reviews about the show, you can hone your skills and reinforce your understanding of the plot and themes.
By learning grammar through context and practicing writing and reading comprehension with Rvolution, you can develop a deeper understanding of the French language and refine your language skills in a meaningful and practical way.
Supplementary resources play a crucial role in enhancing your learning, and when it comes to learning French, a plethora of options are available. It is best to combine watching TV shows and movies with other learning tools.
By exploring these supplementary resources, learners can complement their journey with diverse learning materials, interactive tools, and supportive communities, all of which contribute to a well-rounded and effective French language learning experience.
To learn French at home, immerse yourself in the language by engaging with French media, such as movies, TV shows, and music. This helps you learn French phrases and words, and absorb the flow of the language.
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