Five writers in Madrid argue TV can spark debate, if not change the world
Five television writers from across Europe told an industry audience in Madrid on Wednesday, 30 September that drama can start a public argument, even if it cannot settle one.
The discussion headlined a Wednesday morning panel titled 'Series to Change the World' at Iberseries & Platino Industria, which held its sixth edition in Madrid, Spain. The session asked whether drama series can drive real-world change, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The panel brought together Jeppe Gjervig Gram from Denmark, Cristina Poppe from Belgium, Jan Trygve Røyneland from Norway, Louis Aubert from France and Leticia Dolera from Spain. Gram wrote Borgen and Follow the Money. Poppe wrote The Best Immigrant. Røyneland is a writer and Scanbox Production development producer linked to Henki. Aubert created the eco-thriller After Us. Dolera is a director, screenwriter and actress linked to Pubertat – Secrets, Lies, and Human Castles.
Poppe spoke about using fiction to pull far-right politics into mainstream conversation. She named Black Mirror as a huge inspiration for The Best Immigrant. The series is set in an independent Flanders in the near future, where a far-right government orders the expulsion of all foreign-born residents. It follows Muna and Jamal, who enter a ruthless reality show to compete for a residence permit and avoid forced separation.
Poppe said she does not think films or series can change the world. She said she hopes they can influence things a little bit and create debate.
Aubert spoke about climate action. He said the change the world needs is definitely not happening fast enough. His answer was After Us, about European business leaders who gather for an environmental forum in the Alps. Six young activists calling themselves Phoenix kidnap the executives' children to expose greenwashing, meaning false claims about being environmentally friendly, and to force action. Aubert said the goal was to change minds, at least some of them, through an entertaining thriller.
Gram pointed to the role of broadcasters willing to take a risk. He said Danish public broadcaster DR was brave enough to make Follow the Money when nobody had made a programme about Big Finance. He said he always wants audiences to leave on a hopeful note.
Røyneland kept the measure of change personal. Henki tells the story of the first man in Norway diagnosed with HIV. He said: If my daughter is proud of the series, I have changed her world.
