The Best Immigrant stars Jennifer Heylen and Farouk Ben Ali discuss the making of this dystopian political drama
The Best Immigrant stars Jennifer Heylen and Farouk Ben Ali tell DQ how Streamz’s dystopian hit turns immigration, survival and television spectacle into political drama. When a far-right political party is elected to power in a dystopian Flanders, it puts into action a plan to deport all immigrants to their country of birth. There is, however, one way those facing removal can win the right to stay: by entering a ruthless new gameshow called The Best Immigrant, where the prize is a permanent residence permit. That is the setup for Belgian drama The Best Immigrant, which centres on Muna and Jamal, two teachers who find themselves facing deportation – and separation – because they come from different countries. Their only chance to remain together is to accept an invitation to take part in the gameshow. But after agreeing, they discover the contestants are being pitted against each other in a furious battle to avoid elimination and prove they are “the best Fleming.” Debuting on Belgian streamer Streamz in December last year before its international premiere at French television festival Series Mania earlier this year, the five-part series stars Jennifer Heylen and Farouk Ben Ali as Muna and Jamal, with Charlotte Timmers as TV producer Lauren and Louis Talpe as gameshow presenter Nathan. “I really wanted to do it. When I first read the script, when they first sent it to me, I found it so interesting, because in Belgium, they don’t really make series like that,” Ali tells DQ. “To … Continue reading The Best Immigrant stars Jennifer Heylen and Farouk Ben Ali discuss the making of this dystopian political drama
