This week on Rialto Channel catch the brand new French spy thriller series The Bureau, and there's a box set on Sunday of This is England ’90.
Walt Disney: Part 1… Thursday 23rd June, 8.30pm
This two part documentary series looks at the life and career of one of the most loved creators of all time; Walt Disney. Filled with expert talking heads and fabulous archive footage this in depth documentary looks at Disney’s childhood, early films and the creation of Mickey Mouse, and Disneyland. It’s a documentary that can be shared with your kids, and a wonderful reminder of what a visionary Walt Disney was. Catch Part 2 on Thursday 30th June at 8.30pm.
The Bureau: Series 1, Episode 1 … Friday 24th June, 8.30pm
Recently we’ve seen an increase in television networks committing huge budgets to cinematic programming, producing television series with a high quality of writing, production and casting, and the French television industry is no different. Following on from The Returned, Braquo and up coming Netflix production Marseille is espionage drama The Bureau. Staring film actors Mathieu Kassovitz and Jean-Pierre Darroussin, The Bureau follows secret agent Malotru (Kassovitz) who is abruptly brought back to Paris after working undercover for in Syria for 6 years. Once back home there’s little time to readjust to ‘normal life’ as Malotru deals with the sudden disappearance of another undercover agent, and prepares a new recruit for a mission in Iran. The first episode introduces us to all the players, and by the time the second episode is finished there’s plenty of engaging subplots in play. It’s no surprise The Bureau won Best TV Series from the French Syndicate of Cinema Critics earlier in the year.
The One I Love … Saturday 25th June, 8.30pm
This relationship drama is the debut feature film from American author Charlie McDowell, and tells the story of a couple (Elizabeth Moss and Mark Duplass) on the brink of divorce who on the advice of their marriage counselor (Ted Danson) head off on a weekend retreat to save their relationship. It’s a smartly written script by Charlie McDowell (son of actress Mary Steenburgen) who is known for his witty twitter feed and the book it produced Dear Girls Above Me, and it’s filled with astute observations about relationships, as well as an unexpected surreal twist. Apart from a brief appearance by Danson, Moss and Duplass (who also produced the film) are the only two people in the film, and for the most part, do an excellent job holding our attention. However, The One I Love gets a little bit too clever for it’s own good at times, and McDowell’s characters are far from endearing – even after 90 minutes.
This is England ’90… Sunday 26th June - all four episodes from 5.50pm
Created by screenwriter and director Shane Meadows. Since the original feature film was released in 2006, there have been three television series documenting the lives of a group of working class friends from Sheffield. The film kicked off in 1983, and this final episode wraps up the lives of Lol, Milky, Woody and the rest of their mates in the 90s as the rave culture emerges on the British music scene. While there are no plans to make any more television series, Meadows was recently reported as saying he wouldn’t mind bookending the This is England saga with another feature film. In the meantime, get nostalgic and enjoy what quite possibly will be the last of this motley crew.