Ukrainian woman in an episode of the series “Emily in Paris”: the terrible image of Petra

“Netflix heard the concern of Ukrainians,” said Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko

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The scandal with the series “Emily in Paris” was continued. Culture Minister Oleksandr Tkachenko has already received an official response to his outraged letter and “Netflix heard the concerns of Ukrainians.” About it writes DEV.

“Netflix’s response to my letter regarding the image of a Ukrainian woman in the TV series Emily in Paris is quite diplomatic. They thanked for the feedback. But they heard about the concern of Ukrainian viewers with the image of a Ukrainian woman. We agreed that in 2022 we will be in closer contact to prevent such cases.” – said the minister.

Tkachenko believes that although such an incorrect image of a Ukrainian woman in the series is an artistic image, we all have the right to be indignant.

“Such an active public position will definitely help to ensure that the attitude of Ukrainians is taken into account in future Netflix filming when further showing the characters of Ukrainian nationality,” the minister said and noted that the current situation raises an important question – the image of Ukraine abroad.

Earlier, Tkachenko wrote that he sent the “position text” to Netflix, outraged, like many Ukrainians, by one of the episodes of the second season, in which a cartoon character appeared – a Kievite Petra, whom the main character meets at a French language course. Petra dresses tastelessly, steals from shops and is afraid of deportation.

“We’ll have to continue to fight stereotypes. If in the 90s and 2000s Ukrainian guys were portrayed mainly as gangsters, this has changed over time. However, not in this case. In Emily in Paris, we have a caricature of a Ukrainian woman, which is unacceptable. on the other hand, it is also offensive. Is this how Ukrainians abroad will be perceived? Those who steal, want to receive everything for free, are afraid of deportation? This should not be so, “Tkachenko wrote.

By the way, the role of Petra, who appears in the series for only a few minutes, was performed by Ukrainian actress Daria Panchenko. She studied at the Ukrainian Ballet Academy and graduated from a prestigious lyceum. Daria also knows five languages, received several grants to study in the United States and starred in the French film “Rasputin” with Gerard Depardieu in the title role.

Focus tried to figure out why the Ukrainians were outraged by the episode from the TV series “Emily in Paris” and why it got so much publicity. The cliché of this Netflix project also played a role. In it, literally all the characters are depicted as limited and flat. Even the main character is a set of clichés about American women who came to Europe.

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