Arte presents a new series with a unique tone, Someone Should Ban Sunday Afternoons, available from March 12 on arte.tv before its broadcast on March 19. Directed by Spanish filmmaker Isabel Coixet, this eight-episode drama follows the journey of a young student who arrives in Paris to pursue her dream of a career in film. Blending understated humor with Sunday melancholy, the series explores the beginnings of adulthood and the strength of budding friendships.
An intimate chronicle of a Parisian flat-sharing experience
The story focuses on Louise, played by Liv Henneguier, an aspiring filmmaker who leaves Limoges to move to Paris. Her project: to write a film imagining a romance between singer Françoise Hardy and British musician Nick Drake in the 1960s. Upon arriving in the capital, she moves in with Charlie and Nelson, played by Clara Bretheau and Théo Christine. Together, they establish a peculiar ritual: watching what are considered the saddest films ever made every Sunday.
This habit gradually becomes a key moment in their relationship. The discussions, the silences, and the shared emotions forge a space of intimacy where the characters confront their doubts, ambitions, and vulnerabilities. According to the series description relayed by Arte, these eight episodes primarily recount their dreams, their disillusionments, and their bonds of friendship, in a bittersweet atmosphere.
A realistic Paris, far from the clichés
Isabel Coixet offers a very personal perspective on the capital. As she explained to 20 Minutes, her series aims to be the "anti-Emily in Paris," far removed from the touristy and glamorous image popularized by the Netflix show. Having lived in Paris while a student at the Sorbonne, the director draws on her memories to create a more authentic setting, filled with quiet cafés, strolls along the Canal Saint-Martin, and believable little apartments for young artists.
This aesthetic choice complements a narrative that prioritizes everyday emotions over spectacular plot twists. The series is rich in references to film and music, from the works of Agnès Varda and Chantal Akerman to figures like Françoise Hardy and Nick Drake. Through this blend of culture and introspection, Isabel Coixet offers a sensitive portrait of young adults searching for their place in the world—and learning to transform the Sunday blues into a space for creativity.
