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French History: Women's Fight for Freedom
9 Sep
Summary
- A series uncovers the hidden history of wet nurses in late 19th-century France.
- Three women from different backgrounds unite for freedom in a male-dominated world.
- Filming faced challenges, including legal restrictions on using infants under three months.
The new six-part period thriller, "Swapped" (also known as "Sorority"), delves into the often-overlooked history of wet nurses in late 19th-century France. The narrative centers on Rose, who leaves her rural home to become a wet nurse for a wealthy Parisian family. She soon learns she cannot keep her own child with her.
A risky plan emerges when Rose considers secretly exchanging her infant with Hélène de Gersande, a mother mourning her own lost child. Together with midwife Odette, these three women from vastly different social strata must collaborate to navigate a male-dominated world and assert their independence.
This series, co-written by Vincent Robert and Alexandra Echkenazi and inspired by Robert's great-grandmother, required substantial dedication and a significant budget. The production team faced unique challenges, including France's law prohibiting filming with babies younger than three months, necessitating some scenes to be shot in Belgium and the use of special effects.
"Swapped" aims for a modern, cinematic aesthetic with vivid colors, distinguishing itself from typical period dramas. The project garnered rapid support from France Télévisions, highlighting the universal resonance of Rose, Odette, and Hélène's stories of struggle and empowerment. The series is set to premiere internationally.
