Since almost all of us are still in lockdown, it’s a great time to hunker down with some popcorn and watch some French television series. Below is a list of my five favorite shows. Please let me know how you like them after you watch them.
Note: All of the shows are presented in French with English subtitles.
Call My Agent/Dix Percent- Three Seasons on Netflix
This funny, smart comedy about the antics of the top talent agency in Paris, is a pure delight. The best part of the show is the appearances of real-life actors playing themselves, including Isabel Huppert, Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Adjani, Fabrice Luchini, and Jean Dujardin.
A French Village/Un Village Francais- 7 Seasons- Amazon Prime
Warning: This show is highly addictive, and make sure you start watching it earlier in the day, otherwise you will be up all night.
A fictional story based on real life facts, A French Village, is about a small village in mid-France, close to the Swiss border, that is occupied by the Germans in WW II. The gripping, intense drama details the lives of the residents who struggle to survive by either joining the Resistance, joining the Communist party, or collaborating with the Germans. The storytelling and acting is superb, and almost every episode concludes with a cliff-hanger. Click here to read my full review.
La Mante/The Mantis- 1 Season- Netflix
A chilling performance by French beauty Carole Bouquet give this gripping thriller an edge. Bouquet plays a serial killer locked behind bars for many years, who is consulted by the police to help solve the case of a copy-cat murderer, like her, who has suddenly surfaced.
Spiral/Engrenages- 7 Seasons- Amazon Prime
Spiral Is a terrific detective series on par with U.S. series such as Law and Order. You won’t find standard locations of the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees on Spiral, instead you get a view of the gritty, outer arrondissements of Paris. Each season starts with a single crime, following through with unexpected twists and turns.
Huge in France- 1 Season-Netflix
Technically, a U.S. series in English, Huge in France, is sometimes an hilarious riff on the cultural differences between Paris and Los Angeles. Starring Gad Emaleh, the most famous comedian in France, Huge in France tracks Emaleh, who decides to give up everything including his fame and fortune in France, to move to Los Angeles, to raise his teenage son, who he abandoned when he was a child. Emaleh soon realizes his fame in France, does nothing for him in the U.S., and tries to relaunch his career, but bombs doing stand-up at a low level, comedy club. Jerry Seinfeld guess stars in an episode.
If you would rather watch these shows on DVD, you can purchase the DVDs on Amazon.
The links were incorrect to yesterday's blog post Taxes for Ex-Pats- Excellent Service for U.S. Expats Filing Taxes
I am reposting it below.
Taxes for Expats is a great organization that files taxes for U. S. citizens living and working abroad. I’ve been filing my taxes with Taxes for Expats for six years now, and the service has always been excellent. Their staff is very attentive and efficient, and they always answer my emails within 24 hours. Their online filing system is well organized, and fairly simple to fill in.
Taxes for Expats also features up to date articles about the latest news in tax reforms and policies. Recent articles are COVID-19 & Federal Tax Stimulus Updates COVID-19 & Federal Tax Stimulus Update (how even American expats can get a refund check now) and a Tax Guide for 2020.
Besides filing taxes, Taxes for Ex-Pats also offers alternative services including non-resident tax returns, foreign bank reporting, tax planning, and IRS representation.
You can schedule a 30-minute free, phone consultation on Taxes for Expats.
Prices start at $350 for their core tax return plan.
If you do sign up with Taxes for Ex-Pats, please mention Eye Prefer Paris.
https://www.taxesforexpats.com/