Winter Palace

Thanks to a recent law (Lex Netflix), this series has been produced in collaboration with Swiss production companies and the new 4% tax revenue from Netflix. First of its kind, this production is opening the way for future Swiss series and films. Although half-way through the first episode, I find a few things puzzling...

Production is nice, images lovely, acting decent and I appreciate the mix of French and English (Swiss accents are very clean though), what would be expected from a Netflix prod. Nothing special about the scenario either, a classic against-all-odds success story, except here the hero is loaded, of course it's Switzerland...

So, the subject...

Sponsored by luxury watches and sparkling wine (as well as cheese fondue on national TV lol), a few minutes in and it's obvious that this isn't about promoting Swiss culture or history, but rather a not so subtle way to sell dreams of luxury and be a booby-tourist-trap. It's unfortunate to cover the subject of early mass-tourism through the prism of luxury, when there are so many other stories and aspects to explore about Swiss hospitality and the reality of early 1900s mountain life.

Tourism and luxury are important local industries indeed, but is that really what Switzerland as a nation needs to put forward right now to the world?

Anyway, I don't want to spoil anything, but I can't help but find disappointment for this series. Nothing bad to say about it really, but not much to write home about, I guess I was expecting something a little refreshing... Hopefully some of Lex Netflix revenues will find their ways to more down to earth projects!