Diplomacy, instruction manual with Lea Drucker: Don’t miss the political series Under Control on ARTE

Both cinema and television have repeatedly proven that politics is a breeding ground for comedy. Screenwriter Charlie Delvart proves it once again with Under Control, a caustic satire of an NGO chief turned foreign minister. After he arrived at the Quai d’Orsay, he was caught in a political tornado as a welcome gift, taking hostages in the Sahel. More is missing.

Leah Drucker excels as the somewhat lost minister. The actor, who recently excelled in dark and dramatic registers, is here reminiscing about his comedic potential. Every line hits the mark, all thanks to the refined and tight writing.

Winner of the Best Series prize in the French competition at the Series Mania festival last March, this fiction manages to poke fun at delicate subjects. In an interview with CNC, creator Charlie Delvart explains how to find the right balance:

“He didn’t say anything about it. Say nothing about politics, let’s get to “all rotten”! That’s not the point of the series. We are not at all trying to assume that these people are incompetent.

And then, in Marie Tessier’s crisis story, we wanted to laugh at the kidnappers, but especially not at the hostages..”

Due to the difficult context, the series was not filmed in the Elysée Palace and Orsay. A certain setting is recreated in a private palace opposite the Petit Palais or in the Versailles town hall. The illusion is perfect.

The series Under Control is available for streaming on the ARTE.tv platform and on the channel this Thursday, October 5.