Fair Trade

Marc Punt returns to the underworld with Fair Trade, a darkly comic, hyper-violent thriller set in the gritty port of Antwerp. Though it attempts to channel the raw, boundary-pushing energy of Matroesjka's-his seminal 2005 hit-this new Series feels more like a stylised remix than a true successor.

Fair Trade dives headfirst into a murky world where cops and criminals are often indistinguishable. Commissioner Walter "Wally" Wilson (Kevin Janssens) and his partner Robin De Rover (Ella-June Henrard) are dirty cops who justify their corruption as survival in a broken system. They navigate a world of coke-fuelled parties, mafia double-crosses, and betrayals with jaded cynicism-and a whole lot of Antwerp swearing.

The plot is far-fetched but undeniably entertaining, packed with Russian mobsters, sadistic villains, and procedural loopholes that mirror real-life Belgian scandals. While the first episode nearly derails the whole show with its over-the-top introduction, the series finds its groove through dark humour, relentless pacing, and standout performances-especially from Peter Van Den Begin (always brilliant), whose character is a clear nod to Matroesjka's icon Ray Van Mechelen.

The acting is strong across the board, and the chaos somehow works thanks to Punt's unapologetic style. Fair Trade might not reach those same heights, but it's still a solid binge-worthy crime saga that delivers blood, drugs, and biting satire in equal measure.

With "Matroesjka's", in 2005, writer/director Marc Punt (co-)created - hands down - the greatest Belgian series ever! It's still by far my personal favorite piece of television work ever to come out of this country, and it more than obviously was groundbreaking as well. Ever since "Matroesjka's", all native series, films and even daily soap shows have become more brutal, violent and vulgar. Many series attempted to imitate the success of "Matroesjka's", evidently. Some of them were really cool, most notably Luk Wyns' "Crimi Clowns", but nothing could ever top the original. The last person who I ever expected to imitate "Matroesjka's" was Marc Punt himself, but he did with this absurdly over-the-top (*), excessively violent and hyper-narcissist saga of the corrupt Antwerp Police (narcotics' department) versus the organized crime syndicates and drug cartels active in the Port of Antwerp.

In the world of "Fair Trade", there aren't too many differences between the good guys and the bad guys (and girls). Police commissioner Walter "Wally" Wilson and his assistant, the tough lesbian cop Robin, are as corrupt as the pest. They collect large sums of cash from drug baron Patrick Paternoster in exchange for anonymous tips about his competitors' transactions. Commissioner Wilson is also addicted to East-European prostitutes and shoves industrial amounts of white snow up his nostrils; - a true role model, in other words. Paternoster's biggest rival, the psychotic Bob "Martino" Martens, returns from Thailand and reclaims his position in the Antwerp drug circuit. Moreover, Martino has an old score to settle with Robin and he becomes the informant of Wilson's arch enemy inside the narcotics' brigade. Of course, as you might reckon, this description is only the tip of iceberg. "Fair Trade" serves the regular crime-cocktail, with mandatory ingredients like Russian mobsters, savage executions, loathsome lawyers scavenging for procedural errors, kidnapping, double-crossing and Antwerp swearing. Lots and lots of Antwerp swearing.

"Fair Trade" can't hold a candle to "Matroesjka's". In fact, I found the first episode so embarrassing that I narrowly quit watching. Luckily, the series gets better along the way, mostly thanks to the non-stop spitfire of graphic violence and black humor. The plot twists and turns like a pretzel and the frame-ups grow more and more absurd. They better be working on a second season already, though, since the finale of last episode was downright terrible.

(*) I'm claiming to plot is far-fetched and absurd, but whilst the series was airing on television, another Belgian scandal came to the surface in which prominent lawyers and police officers are involved. It's probably more realistic than we think.

I watched this with high expectations. A mix of one dimensional characters, lots of violence and sex and a bit of humour. Next week I Will have forgotten all of it.

Fair Trade is written and directed by Belgian director Marc Punt, who is known from Matroesjka's (Matrioshki). As with Matrouska's, Fair Trade contains dark comedy, nudity, organized crime and corrupt officers, though the focus is on the cocaine trade, not on prostitution.

Most notable is Peter Van Den Begin who plays a role based on his almost legendary character 'Ray Van Mechelen' from Matroesjka's. His likeable performance gives the show some comic relief between all the gunfights and hard drug abuse.

But no matter how strong such a character is, it wouldn't survive on its own, and luckily for Fair Trade, there are many other good performances to be found. Police duo Wally and Robin (Kevin Janssens and newcomer Ella-June Henrard) never disappoint, as well as Axel Daeselaire (who also played in Matroesjka's). Even in the supporting cast there are no weak spots to be found. So in terms of acting, this thriller is notably good.

The plot events though are not very credible, even though it's based on true events (cocaine trade in Antwerp, maffia, bribes). With this type of series, you have to go with the flow, and don't think too much about the impossibilities of the plot. It could also have used an episode or 2 more to really round up the story, cause there are some questions left unanswered (maybe for a second season?).

I certainly recommend Fair Trade to fans of the genre. Excellent binge material as well.