Available since October 18 on the Prime Video platform, the series "Culte" reveals the behind-the-scenes of the first French reality TV show. Here are 5 things to know about this fiction inspired by Loft Story, the program that revolutionized the French audiovisual landscape in 2001.
1- This series takes us back to the 2000s.
The series Culte talks about a time that those under twenty cannot know... It indeed takes us back to Paris in 2001, when the World Trade Center towers were still standing and the channel M6 was preparing to launch a revolutionary new show.
With Loft Story, M6 was the first French television channel to venture into the realm of reality TV: a crazy bet that the series invites us to relive behind the scenes!
2- She follows the program's producers.
Even though the cult series tells the story of the launch of the show Loft Story on M6, the heroes of this fiction are not the candidates of the first season, Loana, Jean-Edouard, or Steevy...
This series takes the approach of deciphering the reality TV phenomenon from behind the scenes of the show, focusing on the producers of this unprecedented concept.
This six-episode fiction follows Isabelle, Raphaël, and Karim, three young producers. With their teams, they have less than four months to get this completely new program on the air. In the field of reality TV in France, everything is yet to be invented.
3- It is inspired by real events.
This story of young producers willing to do anything to make a name for themselves in the big leagues might seem fictional. And yet, the series Culte is inspired by real events.
According to the press release from Prime Video, Alexia Laroche-Joubert, who was the producer of Loft Story in 2001, is involved in this series. Her participation in this project is a mark of credibility for viewers.
4- The cast is convincing.
In the cult series, the heroine Isabelle, a young producer determined to make a name for herself, is portrayed by Anaïde Rozam. The actress's resemblance to Alexia Laroche-Joubert is striking, and she credibly embodies this ambitious and resourceful young woman.
César Domboy plays Raphaël, a producer following in the footsteps of his mentor. Excited by the idea of bringing the reality TV concept to France, he will stop at nothing to achieve this project.
Sami Outalbali portrays Karim, a journalist who finds himself involved in this project despite himself. Faced with this phenomenon that defies all established norms, the young man must keep a cool head.
Finally, actress Marie Colomb plays Loana, who was the undisputed star of the first season of Loft Story. The series traces how this young woman, worn down by life, became an icon for viewers and how the public propelled her to victory.
5- This series is a success.
The cult series is worth a look for viewers who witnessed the launch of the first French reality TV show in 2001, but also for everyone else. This six-episode fiction, each lasting 45 minutes, is a true success, particularly thanks to its perfectly crafted and controlled storyline.
Whether one loves or hates the voyeurism inherent in reality TV, one cannot deny the impact this new genre has had on the French audiovisual landscape and our society. This adventure, as much criticized as it was followed by viewers, captivated France for ten weeks and paved the way for today's television.
Thanks to meticulous reconstruction, which gives the impression of viewing archival footage, this dive into the behind-the-scenes of Loft Story proves to be as fascinating as it is delightful.