“`html
A new French television adaptation of Stendhal’s classic 1830 novel “The Red and the Black” is set to debut internationally, bringing the centuries-old tale of ambition and social climbing to contemporary audiences. Directed by Gaël Morel and written by Georges-Marc Benamou and Gilles Taurand, the four-part series centers on Julien Sorel, portrayed by Victor Belmondo, a young man of humble origins who navigates complex webs of passion, political maneuvering, and power dynamics as he attempts to rise above his station. The production, created by Siècle Productions for France Télévisions and distributed by Wild Bunch, recently screened at Canneseries and the Italian Global Series Festival before its international market premiere at the Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre.
Morel and Belmondo previously collaborated on the 2024 drama “To Live, to Die, to Live Again,” reuniting for this latest project. The creative team emphasizes that Stendhal’s protagonist represents an unconventional hero—a calculating and ambitious figure whose aspirations face significant obstacles rather than the romantic ideal often associated with classical literature. Writers Benamou and Taurand, known for works including “The Last Mitterrand” and “The Plague,” drew inspiration from the timeless nature of great 19th-century literature and its capacity to resonate across generations.
The story’s exploration of class mobility, conservative moral resistance, and women’s agency speaks directly to modern concerns, according to the creators. Despite being written nearly two centuries ago, the narrative examines persistent contemporary issues including social determinism, gender relations, and the struggles of individuals attempting to transcend their societal origins—themes that remain strikingly relevant in 21st-century France and beyond.
“`
Originally reported by Variety →
About the Author
