MipTV: Creator Director Julien Lacombe on France’s Newest Sci-Fi Series ‘Missions’
“Missions” will broadcast 10 episodes, each only 26 minutes long in contrast to the one-hour format that is common among science-fiction shows today. Series creators Henri Debeurme, Julien Lacombe, and Ami Cohen, have constructed a low-fi series that fits right into the modern zeitgeist of programs such as “Black Mirror” or “Orphan Black” with believable technologies and a representation of humanity’s problems that will feel familiar and relatable to viewers.
“Missions” doesn’t have little green men or laser weapons and nobody gets beamed anywhere. What the show does have is an international cast, technologies that are being used or theorized about today, and relationship dynamics that all work to strive for a realism that many modern science-fiction fans expect. With the possibility of more fantastic elements being implemented as the show moves forward the shows hopes to emulate the addictive natures of shows like “Lost,” or more recently “Stranger Things.”
The series focuses on the crew of a European collaboration spaceship which, with the funding of an eccentric Swedish billionaire, has designs on being the first manned craft to land on Mars. Much to the dismay of all on board however, just before the culmination of their 10-month journey to the Red Planet they are made aware of a video sent by a NASA ship that has overtaken them and already landed on the planet thanks to a revolutionary engine technology that cut the travel time to a fraction of what it was for the Europeans. The bad news doesn’t end there however, as the tape contains a cryptic warning from the Americans pleading with the crew not to land as something far too dangerous is happening on the surface. The crew then learns that the tape was sent days before and there has been no contact with the Americans since
Co-creator Julien Lacombe, who also acts as the show’s director, answered questions for Variety about the show, it’s influences, and where it might be taking viewers in the future .....
“Missions” will broadcast 10 episodes, each only 26 minutes long in contrast to the one-hour format that is common among science-fiction shows today. Series creators Henri Debeurme, Julien Lacombe, and Ami Cohen, have constructed a low-fi series that fits right into the modern zeitgeist of programs such as “Black Mirror” or “Orphan Black” with believable technologies and a representation of humanity’s problems that will feel familiar and relatable to viewers.
“Missions” doesn’t have little green men or laser weapons and nobody gets beamed anywhere. What the show does have is an international cast, technologies that are being used or theorized about today, and relationship dynamics that all work to strive for a realism that many modern science-fiction fans expect. With the possibility of more fantastic elements being implemented as the show moves forward the shows hopes to emulate the addictive natures of shows like “Lost,” or more recently “Stranger Things.”
The series focuses on the crew of a European collaboration spaceship which, with the funding of an eccentric Swedish billionaire, has designs on being the first manned craft to land on Mars. Much to the dismay of all on board however, just before the culmination of their 10-month journey to the Red Planet they are made aware of a video sent by a NASA ship that has overtaken them and already landed on the planet thanks to a revolutionary engine technology that cut the travel time to a fraction of what it was for the Europeans. The bad news doesn’t end there however, as the tape contains a cryptic warning from the Americans pleading with the crew not to land as something far too dangerous is happening on the surface. The crew then learns that the tape was sent days before and there has been no contact with the Americans since
Co-creator Julien Lacombe, who also acts as the show’s director, answered questions for Variety about the show, it’s influences, and where it might be taking viewers in the future .....
