Idol: Why the series is causing controversy

On May 22, at 10:30 p.m., the Cannes Film Festival will screen the feature film The Idol, directed by Sam Levinson (Euphoria), without competition. described in its announcement selection As well as A “A movie that will probably become a TV series”Although originally a TV series, it has been turned into a feature film for an hour and 45 minutes (or that’s the first two episodes of the series).

HBO’s The Idol follows the romance between Jocelyn, a young pop singer (Lily-Rose Depp) and Tedros, a nightclub owner and strange cult leader (played by Abel Tesfaye, aka “The Weeknd”). But even before its presence in Cannes, this series has already created a lot of buzz.

Step 1: The principal slams the door

on April 26, 2022, Deadline reveals that director Amy Seimetz is leaving the series she directed. According to US media, his departure is due to “fundamental creative differences” between him and some of the screenwriters of the project, which is written by Reza Fahim, The Weeknd and Sam Levinson and is being shown by Joe Epstein.

Such a decision is rare at HBO, a firm known for letting creators express their visions. After this departure, Sam Levinson takes his place and decides to direct six episodes. Some of the crew and cast are changing (including Susanna Son, revealed in Red Rocket). First of all, this decision comes when 4 to 5 episodes have already been filmed.

always according to Deadline, the creative differences seem to have stemmed from The Weeknd finding that the series put a little too much emphasis on the female point of view and Depp’s character at his expense. But all this would be just the tip of the iceberg.

Step 2: Series in the trash, the second one begins… and worries?

Urnal Rolling Stone spoke “13 Cast and Crew” And with Levinson at the helm, the series, which was nearly finished and already costing between $54 million and $75 million, was basically set to return for a completely different direction.

Indeed, Levinson revised The Idol, which was seen as a show with a “message”, namely about the predation that surrounds the celebrity world, while adding scenes of sexuality that are particularly euphoric, another of his ongoing series. And Rolling Stone notes that sections of The Idol will graphically surpass Euphoria, which is saying something.

“I signed up for dark satire of celebrities, especially in the 21st century (…) in the post-Trump era., a member of the team confides. Another anonymous comment that the new message of the series is shocking: “In the show, it’s like a rape fantasy that any toxic man would have – then the woman comes back and asks for more because it makes her music better.”

Sexual torture porn

The Rolling Stone article provides specific examples of scenes that were not filmed but were planned in Levinson’s scripts:

“In one episode, Tedros punched Jocelyn in the face, who smiled and begged for more, which gave her an erection. In another passage, Jocelyn was shown having to insert an egg into her vagina without breaking it, because if she did, Tesfaye’s character. refused to ‘rape’ her and Depp’s character begged her to ‘rape him’ and thought she was the key to his success.”

“We were like, ‘What is this? What are we reading?”– says an anonymous source, “It was sexual torture porn.”

Step 3: No problems to report

Those responsible for the series have taken a stand against the Rolling Stone report, starting with Lily-Rose Depp herself, who claims that Levinson is “Best Director” With whom he was able to turn and that he never felt “More supported and respected in the creative space, my suggestions and opinions were heard.”

HBO has confirmed its support for Levinson and his team: “The creative team is committed to creating a work environment of mutual respect, collaboration and safety, and over the past year the team has made some creative changes that they believe are in the best interests of the production, cast and crew.”

While Sam Levinson has yet to speak out publicly, his co-creator Abel Tesfaye found the article “ridiculous” and elaborated. THR :”I really enjoyed working with Amy, and I’m sure she’s reading this and thinking, “Why am I even involved in this?”

Tesfaye reports that Semitz’s departure is related “Logistical difficulties related to the schedule” Director, as well as A “I don’t want to rush my first series”.

Step 4: Verdict at the Cannes Film Festival?

The backstage of so many serials is complicated. It will be up to the lucky festival-goers to decide whether the show itself – or rather the TV movie on offer – is as provocative and shocking as its reputation suggests.