As a hardcore gamer and someone who has spent countless hours immersed in various worlds, I was intrigued when I heard about “The Decameron,” the new Netflix show inspired by the classic Italian literature of the same name. The concept of examining life during a pandemic resonated with me on a personal level, as we’ve all been living through unprecedented times.
“Kathleen Jordan, the showrunner of ‘The Decameron’ at Netflix, shared with The Hollywood Reporter how a pandemic moment intrigued and motivated her to explore its intricacies in creating the series.”
Last week, a dark comedy became available for streaming, inspired by Giovanni Boccaccio’s short story collection, “The Decameron,” set during the Black Death era. In this adaptation, a diverse group of Italians – nobles and servants alike – seek refuge in a countryside villa to escape the plague.
Although “A Plague Tale: Innocence” isn’t usually described as a “wine-soaked sex romp,” like “The Decameron,” the comedy series starring Zosia Mamet and Tony Hale still finds ways to bring laughter during this grim historical era.
“Jordan admits that he can’t claim much deliberate planning went into it, as he believes if he were tasked with creating a space thriller or even a baseball film, the result would likely bear a similar feel. The distinctive tone, which is a blend of somber sadness and witty humor, is what Jordan refers to as ‘this.'”
A group of wealthy individuals retreat to a villa to avoid a pandemic and pass the time by sharing their own stories, ultimately finding comfort and resolution.
From a political perspective, and based on the events of 2020 that I have witnessed and lived through, I strongly disagree that everything is okay. This was the foundation I intended to lay for our program.
Jordan shares that she enjoys incorporating unusual and uncomfortable interchanges in her writing, reflecting the common experiences we encounter daily. She hints at the possibility of parallelisms between the mood of past eras and present times.
She acknowledged the challenge of making historical settings feel authentic and engaging. While she didn’t expect them to mimic modern speech or sound like Zosia Mamet, she believed it was plausible that people in 14th century Italy spoke with more vibrancy and emotion than we might assume.
“Quirk,” the show’s star Hale, Jordan’s partner for show press, adds, to which she agrees.
She concludes with a nod, emphasizing her desire for the production to be “just a bit off from the usual,” while ensuring it remained authentic to her.
Jordan expresses her hope that “The Decameron” by Boccaccio maintains its “soapy” quality and becomes engaging and addictive for contemporary readers. She aims to connect this modern appeal to the original purpose of Boccaccio’s stories.
“According to Boccaccio’s introduction, men are out in the world living their lives and pursuing their interests, while women are often left pondering love at home. Feeling connected, I can relate. That’s why his work is a perfect match for us: it’s like he’s handing each of us a captivating novel to enjoy on the beach.”
The Decameron is now streaming on Netflix.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-07-29 17:54