HD1’s Zadig et ta mère puts diversity in the spotlight

On September 23, 2015, shooting began for the pilot of Zadig et ta mère, a series of 26-minute episodes born of an uncommon partnership. This program is the work of four young writers from disadvantaged neighborhoods, trained in writing techniques by the staff of the HD1 channel, PM Production, and the TF1 Foundation.

Since its inception in 2008, the TF1 Foundation’s mission has been to promote training and occupational integration of youth from politique de la ville areas (France’s disadvantaged neighborhoods).  To support this objective, it created a writing workshop to uncover and develop young talents, offering them a professional springboard toward a career.

As TF1 Foundation Chairwoman Samira Djouadi shares, “We’re very pleased to have the support of a renowned producer who shares our determination to help young talents, but we’re also delighted to see renowned actors and actresses committing to this project. Further, we’re grateful to the CGET (Commissariat général à l'égalité des territoires), without which this pilot would not have seen the light of day.”

“As a producer, I’m keen to uncover new talents, and the diversity-born generation is where they can be found,” adds Alain Pancrazi, CEO of PM Production.

Zadig et ta mère is the humorous, off-beat story of the day-to-day lives of two families from different backgrounds, forced to live together in a suburban, working-class neighborhood. The cast includes Hélène de Fougerolles, Eric Berger, Marie Béraud, Tatiana Rojo, Gwendal Marimoutou, Emir Seghir, and Emmanuel Patron, with Sophie Boudre directing.