France 2 Daughters of Fire: More than 100 women condemned, France’s deadliest hunt

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In 1609 in the Basque country. Three sisters from a long line of abortionists find their lives in danger due to the arrival of Judge Pierre de Lancri in the region. Hostile and terrified of the woman’s freedom and knowledge, he leads one of France’s deadliest witch hunts. Immersed in a nightmare, three sisters are forced to fight, each in their own way, for survival.

Daughters of FireFrom Monday 28 August at 21:10 on France 2 and in full on france.tv.

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Created by Julia Wall (Skam) and Maïté Sonnet (Brigade Mobile), the Daughters of Fire series is directed by Magaly Richard-Serrano (La fine team).

This fiction features Annabelle Lopez (Last Family of the Week), Lizzie Broschere (American Gigolo) and Zoe Ajani (Cigar au Miel). They lend their qualities to Jeanette, Catherine and Morgue, three sisters whose fortunes are turned upside down by the arrival of the fearsome judge Pierre de Lancri, played by Bruno Debrandt (Cain).

To accompany them, the producer also called on Marc Ruchman (Plan coeur), Wendy Nieto (Code), Axel Mandron (ASKIP) and Tom Hudson. Finally, the audience will also have the pleasure of Guillaume de Tonquedec (Don’t Do This, Don’t Do That), Michel Laroque (Happy Retirement) or Angela Molina (This Summer).

Is it worth seeing?

For the beginning of the academic year, France 2 invites us to immerse ourselves in the heart of an unknown part of French history.

Thus, in 1609, in the Basque Country, one of the deadliest witch hunts in our country began. Far from the mystical image of fairy tales, we are really talking about women here. who is free who is educated. who heals

A true symbol of emancipation and independence, they were accused of witchcraft and burned to death, victims of the murderous madness of a man: Pierre de Lancri. A true story as tragic as it is fascinating.

In the 17th century, when men went out to sea for months on end to hunt whales, women had full power. They work, run businesses and manage their daily lives. An independence that does not sit well with the judge and demonologist appointed by Henri IV, Pierre de Lancre. Cold, methodical and deeply misogynistic, the latter is determined to rid the world of witches. In total, 70 to 200 women were tortured and then burned alive on his orders in 1609.

Loosely inspired by this terrifying witch hunt, Filles du feu combines historical and romantic facts to tell the story of Jeanette, Catherine and Morgue. Through these three characters, the series honors all these women who died on the altar of religious belief. Fierce and resilient, these heroes will have to fight for freedom and survival.

With a solid script, flawless staging and sublime images of the Basque Country, Daughters of Fire has no trouble getting you into its story straight away. While the pacing can feel a bit slow at times, the episodes revolve around our desire to find out if Sami and Judge de Lancre will escape.

Annabelle Lopez, Lizzie Broschere and Zoe Ajan are excellent as Jeanette, Catherine and Morgue. Through their acting, they carry us through their characters’ stories with power and emotion.

But it’s Bruno Debrandt, who plays Pierre de Lancre, who grabs all the limelight. A role, though not an obvious one, that he supports brilliantly. In the guise of a merciless character who multiplies cruelty in episodes, the actor almost gives chills because his face is so calm and ruthless.

Although only Judge de Lancri’s writings survive from this period of history, the series honors these persecuted and forgotten women.

Last year and The Mountain Blooms, Daughters of Fire is a summer mini-historical saga that ticks all the boxes of the genre. However, its original theme sets it apart from the crowd and allows it to easily find its audience.