Reign Supreme, also known as Le Monde de Demain, is a French television series that depicts the emergence of hip-hop culture in France as well as the rise of the famous French hip-hop duo NTM. The series packs the lives of four main protagonists, starring Anthony Bajon as Bruno Lopes, Melvin Boomer as Didier Morville, Andranic Manet as Daniel, and Laïka Blanc-Francard as Vivi. The series is directed and written by Hélier Cisterne, Katell Quillévéré, and Vincent Poymiro.
The full cast includes Anthony Bajon, Melvin Boomer, Andranic Manet, Victor Bonnel, Joshua Raccah, Léo Chalié, Nolan Masraf, Emmanuelle Hiron, Laïka Blanc-Francard, Keishah Courat, Daouda Keita, Arthur Choisnet, Elsa Gnaly, Jonas Bachan, Ismaël Sy Savané, Yannick Choirat, Franc Bruneau, Léo Grimard-Harel, Tobias Nuytten-Vialle and other sub-actors who had only small significant roles. This series consists of 6 episodes, each lasting 50 minutes. The series’ audio is available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Polish, Spanish and French.
The Netflix official description of the film reads as: From the projects to the largest venues in Paris, this series follows two teenage friends for life as they forge the birth and rise of French hip-hop.
-Reign Supreme Review Does Not Contain Spoilers-
The first episode starts off showing Daniel (Andranic Manet), who finds himself at a California hip-hop party where he gets fascinated by how the DJ spins and mixes the records. Then we find Daniel back in France, discussing with his friends and his newly-found friend Beatrice (Léo Chalié) how he is going to bring hip-hop culture to France. This is where the show sets the music revolution theme that is going to be followed throughout the series. Following this, we are introduced to the two important protagonists, Bruno (Anthony Bajon) and Didier (Melvin Boomer).
In the next two episodes, we will see how Bruno and Didier both have family issues and how they cope with them through hip-hop music and breakdancing. Bruno and Didier, who once despised each other, gradually form a bond and begin performing at numerous breakdance talent shows. But unfortunately, Didier’s abusive father leads him to run off to Italy, leaving Bruno in a rough patch as he becomes a disappointment in his so-called “perfect” family.
Later, we meet Vivi (Laïka Blanc-Francard), a high school student who is looking for her father, who abandoned her. To cope with her life, she dives into the world of graffiti, which enhances the hip-hop culture in France. As the episodes progress, we’ll get to see how Didier returns to France and reunites with Bruno, how they both find their way to hip-hop rap culture, how Daniel becomes DJ Dee Nasty, and how Vivi later known as Lady V, discovers her new life path.
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Reign Supreme: a Tale Showing French Riots, Rough Teenage Years, Immigrants’ Lives and Hip-hop’s Birth
Truth be told, the series only has six episodes but has covered almost every important aspect of the 1980s in France. In every episode, the viewers get to see something new and accurate that did happen back in the 1980s. We get to see how black people move about in France, how young teenagers with family issues navigate life from drugs to sex, how the French riots make people lose faith in the police, how music and art help people unite, the birth of hip-hop via underground battles, etc.
With the help of supporting characters, the 1980s setting, and costumes, the viewers are introduced to a wonderful representation of France before the French Revolution. We get to see how not much people have televisions, their improper housing, a lack of student support by the government, and the strikes led by people for freedom of expression. The series is such a classic and a feast for those who love music, art, and freedom.
Supporting Characters’ Backstories Are Leading
Supporting characters are very essential as they lead the protagonists’ story. In Reign Supreme, we get to see an ample number of supporting roles, each having a huge significance in the plot. Daniel’s girlfriend, Beatrice, is a wonderful representation of Asian women stuck in France, whose terrible past has turned her life upside down. Yet she is shown as a strong woman who stands as a support system for Daniel despite her own life crumbling.
We are also shown Vivi’s mother, who is a single parent and a black woman struggling at a French-led music record label. Her character is massively strengthened when she is shown getting mad at Vivi’s principal, who says that a strong, authoritative man is required to parent a child. We also get to see how she lets Vivi take her own life decisions but explains that real life out there is something Vivi clearly doesn’t know about. Her character is well portrayed, showing the pain of being a single parent and being a black woman.
Apart from them, we are also shown other important characters like Didier’s abusive father, Bruno’s overly expecting family, rising rappers and their struggles, friends of Bruno and Didier who stand beside them both to lead their band NTM, aspiring DJs and their efforts without proper equipment, and more.
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Soundtrack of Reign Supreme
Another captivating aspect of the Reign Supreme series is its soundtrack. Throughout the series, we are constantly provided with hip-hop music and how it keeps progressing as new rappers drop their originals. We also hear authentic lyrics when Didier and Bruno drop their albums and when Dee Nasty also provides new albums to the French audience.
There is also a scene showing a girl rap band performing live for the audience. In that particular scene, we get to see how many men put those ladies down because of their gender. This scene is such a breakthrough, showing how women equally fought for their rights back then. Prominently, Vivi’s character development kicks off right there when she defends those female rappers who get teased.
Reign Supreme: Final Verdict
It is a hundred per cent yes from me if someone wishes to binge-watch it with me. Reign Supreme is a power-packed show that neatly progresses by showing the backstory of the characters, their struggles, natural feelings, relationships, and their growth. As this fictitious story is based on true events, the essence of the series can be felt through the characters’ development.
If you wish to dive into the French hip-hop foundation, you can enjoy the series on Netflix. Do share in the comments how you feel after watching the six-part series.
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