French soap opera ‘Ici tout commence’ finds global queer fandom

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Although looked down upon by people with noble hobbies, melodrama it is The most universal television format we have. They exist in all parts of the world and each has its own unique characteristics. own taste And that The necessary amount of elaborate drama.

recent years, A new kind of soap opera fandom appeared. Lesbian and bisexual characters became more visible on soaps, and queer fans began to flock to the soap scene.latin american series M Familia, Las Estrellasand Amar a muerte We featured lesbian couples Sapphire has taken the internet by storm all over the world..

Now, new soap lesbian couple is on the rise, this time from France. Ici touts started It happens in a harsh cooking school. The perfect place for both rivalry and romance. The romance in question is berenice A talented but insecure chef (Berenice Tannenberg) and Carla (Alicia Lemaire), a bossy, loud-mouthed person who hates being the underdog. ‘KarlisThis is what fans call them. embodies some metaphors From friends to lovers, to slow burns, to pseudo-dates, it’s loved by romance fans.

they too Illustrate core tenets So-called lesbian melodrama fandom. first of all, fan laborThis has allowed the couple to have an international following.French fans have the following jobs cutting, editafter that translate Carlisse’s scenes were translated into English, making them available to non-French speaking viewers. These translations often include necessary backstory for those unfamiliar with the series to better understand. Even some fans Translate the interview co-starring actresses and offering a full package to overseas viewers.

Watching a program on sewn clips In this way, it creates its own display context.scholar Frederick Darnens This editing process can be described asstrange disconnection”. Subversive ways to center queer relationships It may only make up a small portion of the actual show. For fans of Karlis, especially those living outside of France, the broader context of the series is irrelevant.In a sense, these fans Create an entirely new series From a part within the whole. (Of course, the biggest downside to watching shows like this is waiting For new Karlis scenes in large ensembles Might be frustrating. )

of The international aspect of this fandom is clear. On X, fans post about the couple in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Korean. On fan fiction sites like our own archive, writers upload their works in both French and English, and some novels are translated from one language to the other.This is what the fandom has become big enough Even the leading actresses recognizes its global influence.

A type of fan labor specific to this fandom does a lot to bring people together. I also feel grateful to the fans who do the editing and translation work. Create connections that transcend language and culture. There’s also the thrill of having the cultural literacy to be aware of the couple and the technical know-how to access these important scenes.

why is it important

Queer representation on screen The outlook remains uncertainand fandoms like this show that they exist Global appetite for more remains. Even when expressed in a foreign language and entangled in a complex web of plots, the spark of recognition prompts fans to cross digital boundaries and dive into the labyrinthine sea of ​​melodrama.

At least this is a reminder to soap opera writers around the world. Add lesbians and the fans will come..

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