Philippe Faucon’s remarkable, three-part French series Proud is a sweeping, thoughtful overview of the challenges of being gay in France during a trio of time periods. Part one is set during the 1980s when oppressive laws were aimed at the LGTBQ community, and relationships had to remain in the shadows. We meet Victor (Benjamin Voisin), a 17-year-old helping out his dad, Charles (Frédéric Pierrot), on construction sites after school.
During a break one day, Charles witnesses Victor kissing Sélim (Sami Outalbali), and subsequently struggles with the idea that his son—who is seemingly in a committed relationship with a girl—might in fact be gay. Though he says nothing about what he witnessed, Charles treats both boys differently after the revelation. Moreover, Charles finds himself at odds with his own left-wing principles. It’s an example of a liberal supporting a progressive agenda everywhere but under one’s own roof. Things worsen when Victor eventually enters into a relationship with a much older man, Serge (Stanislav Nordey), leading to a confrontation between father and son.
The rest of part one and the following two episodes comprise a dramatic history of gay rights in France over the last three decades, and what it has been like, on a personal level, to live through lurching progress toward equality. The cast, including older actors playing later versions of the boys, is outstanding. (Pierrot and Nordey continue playing their roles over the years.)
AIDS, barriers against adoption for LGBTQ parents, and homelessness for young gay people are all touched upon in the same uniquely personal way as everything else. Faucon keeps things moving without basking in pathos, instead of encouraging a human connection between the audience and the characters. Strongly recommended.