Venice’s Flooding Made It Obvious Choice for Climate Series Launch: Vinterberg

It’s no coincidence that “Families Like Ours,” the climate change disaster drama miniseries, is premiering in Venice—a city facing its own crisis over rising sea levels.

“All the water here made it the obvious choice,” says Thomas Vinterberg, the Danish director behind the series. This project, his first TV series and first undertaking since his Oscar-winning film “Another Round,” marks a poignant reflection on family dynamics against the backdrop of environmental disaster.

“Families Like Ours” focuses on Danish authorities’ sudden announcement to evacuate its citizens and relocate them globally. Although conceived as a futuristic concept a few years ago and initially dismissed by some of his friends, Vinterberg now sees it as an unsettlingly plausible scenario.

Interestingly, the actual flooding isn’t depicted on screen. The series instead hones in on a single family faced with tough, life-altering decisions.

“I wanted to make this real, and I think Denmark is a country that would not wait for a flooding; we would be prepared,” Vinterberg asserts. He envisions a “fair way” to rescue people, making the catastrophe unfold in slow motion.

Given its global themes, “Families Like Ours” could inspire adaptations worldwide, especially in countries grappling with climate change.

Vinterberg finds that his works rooted in Danish culture tend to have a broader appeal. This can be seen with “Another Round,” his critically acclaimed drama on alcohol consumption, now set for a U.S. remake.

Leonardo DiCaprio is producing the remake, with Chris Rock signed on as writer and director. Given the different cultural attitudes toward alcohol, many are curious how the story will be adapted for American audiences. Vinterberg acknowledges these questions but believes the core story is universally relatable.

Notably, Vinterberg humorously commented that if Rock’s adaptation fails, “he’ll get slapped again,” referencing the infamous Oscars incident. “I’m afraid I said that,” Vinterberg admits, adding he apologized to Rock, who might not have found the joke amusing.

Source: Particle News