Revolution (Malgrave)
| Revolution | |
|---|---|
| Genre | period drama political drama |
| Opening theme | Revolution |
| Composer(s) | Unknown |
| Country of origin | Malgrave |
| Original language(s) | Malgravean Ancient, Mystrian Common |
| No. of series | 1 (2009) |
| No. of episodes | 9 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer(s) |
|
| Production location(s) | Epping |
| Cinematography |
|
| Running time | 90 minutes |
| Production company(s) |
|
| Distributor | TBN |
| Release | |
| Original network | TVN |
| Picture format | 1080i (16: HDTV) |
| Original release | 1 April – 27 May 2009 |
Revolution is a 2009 Malgravean drama which aired between the 1st April and 27th May 2009 on TVN. It remains a highly controversial drama, as it covers a popular conspiracy theory relating to an attempted coup which failed in the aftermath of the Epping-Rensk Agreement which concluded hostilities between the United Kingdom and Socialist Republic.
Production of Revolution was stopped numerous times by censors at the time, however, despite these efforts the show was allowed to continue and emerged as one of the most viewed shows at the time. It also brought Kim Yoo-jung to national fame, with her portrayal of as Azzurra Anselmi, the daughter of Amaranta Anselmi, the last Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic.
History
In 2002 TVN started exploring options of remembering the Epping-Rensk Agreement, as 2003 would mark the 20th year since the agreement was signed and signal the end of the civil war. In the process of researching a documentary with the Malgravean Broadcasting Corporation, a group of producers stumbled upon notes that related to a conspiracy theory that claimed that a coup was launched in 1983 in an attempt to stop the agreement from being signed.
Work was started on putting together a basic script for the new series, however, this project was blocked for several years by the Ministry of Cultural Sensitivity which meant that serious work on the production only started in 2007.
Synopsis
Revolution starts off with the 1980 Malgravean General Election, and the campaign of the Progressive Unity Party, then a recent political party and one promising radical change by pledging to end the civil war without large-scale loss of life by negotiating a peace agreement with the Socialist Republic.
It also touches upon life in the Socialist Republic, and the decisions faced by Amaranta Anselmi as the country struggles to deal with the mounting security situation and other problems and includes several references to international solidarity such as the support the country received from the Soviets.
Initial discussions between the United Kingdom and the Socialist Republic are conducted by using the Socialist Party as intermediaries, however, eventually full talks start happening utilising diplomats from Breheim as mediators, a decision made due to the fact that Breheim maintained equal relations between both factions at this time.
Revolution touches upon the work that went into these negotiations, however, it also dives into the personal lives of those responsible for bringing the war to an end. It includes behind-the-scenes glimpses at life in the Socialist Republic that hadn't previously been shown on Malgravean television before, and a look into the drive for peace which drove forward the PUP to call for the talks.
When the Epping-Rensk Agreement is announced it is a shock to the nation, as despite promising such an effort it wasn't predicted that peace would be possible, as previous attempts to peacefully bring an end to the conflict with the National Workers' Republic had simply resulted in more bloodshed. It is also not a universally popular option, as years of anti-communist propaganda meant that signing a peace agreement with the enemy was unpopular in some circles, especially, due to some of the conditions included with economic reforms promised and the end of isolationism scheduled.
At this, Revolution focuses on the discontent that emerged within the country, and the rumblings within certain figures in the military to try and convince the government to scrap the agreement. Will the country break into a revolution or will peace finally happen?
Cast/Characters
| Character | Description |
|---|---|
| Anatol Niemec as Nikola Tesla | As Prime Minister Nikola Tesla was a prime proponent for the Epping-Rensk Agreement, and plays a major role in the series both during peace talks and during the attempted coup itself. |
| Mirta Serafin as Amaranta Anselmi | Amaranta Anselmi served as the last Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic, and a lot of the early part of the series forms around her perspective and her family which was a first for a Malgravean series at the time. Amaranta also helps put an end to the coup and is portrayed positively which was a major first for a post-war production. |
| Kim Yoo-jung as Azzurra Anselmi | Azzurra Anselmi is the daughter of Amaranta Anselmi and is frequently seen during scenes which help form a backdrop for explaining the reasoning for the SRM's agreement to enter into peace talks with the UKM. Azzurra is also used by Amaranta to help end the coup, as she is put forward as an example of the next generation which now can experience the joys of peace after years of hardship and bloody conflict. |
| Morten Pedersen as Gunnar Janson | Gunnar Janson was one of the Breheimian negotiators that worked on the Epping-Rensk Agreement, although, he is recalled to Breheim before talks ends after he enters into a relationship with a representative from the Socialist Republic |
| Eliza Chlebek as Aleksandra Filipowski | Aleksandra Filipowski was a Divisional General that served in the Territorial Defence Force until 1984 and is often credited as one of the leaders of the attempted coup. Aleksandra is highly resentful towards the Socialist Republic due to the losses that they've inflicted against those under her command and looks at the signing of the agreement as a betrayal of their sacrifice. |
| Rhee Ji-Young as Han Ji-min | Han Ji-min was a Junior Colonel who served in the Territorial Defence Force in the 80s. Originally from Portmon Ji-min had briefly contemplated enlisting in the Royal Navy and joining the country's exploration and intelligence-gathering efforts, however, eventually settled upon long-term with the TDF. Ji-min is the main military force which has to confront Aleksandra's attempted coup without sparking wider violence. |