In Baya Rehaz’s first series we see Sonia, your typical Parisian. One would think we would love to hate her… But it’s just the opposite. We love to love her. Throughout the series we follow a young thirty year old’s journey in Paris, un jour de… (Paris, a day of…)
We encounter moments of her clingy disposition and self- contradiction, capturing the perfect image of a whole generation where people seem to be drowning in the infinite choices society throws at us and constant consumption.
What (and/or who) inspired your series?
My life and the life of my friends. What I saw on TV did not resemble my life at all and I created this series to tell my story and make it as real as possible. Us women are just like any other man out there, and I didn’t want to make a ‘girly’ series but a series about my generation and all the contradictions we face.
Why should people watch your series?
People should watch my series because it is about them, because I don’t give answers, I give questions about life that make us think. On what it means to be in your thirties and how you survive in this world that just keeps moving faster and faster.
How do you reach your audience?
I don’t do anything in particular. I put the video online and wait…
How do you finance your series?
I produced the whole first season on a minimal budget, which only allowed me to rent some material for the shoot and craft services. Season two is in production now and and being developed by canal+ creation digital.
In what ways do you utilise social media to further your brand?
I post visuals and some pictures from the shoot along with various articles which bring in curious audiences.
What is your favourite thing about making web series?
The artistic freedom I have. I love every step of the process.
Describe the importance of the role that Paris plays in your series?
Paris is one of my principal characters. If the characters I created didn’t evolve in this city of lights, then they would not have the same reactions. Paris is a fast city that brings hope and influences my character’s behaviour.
Can you describe an actual day in Paris? Is it much different from what Sonia and her friends experience?
I am inspired by my own life and the life of my friends, so the show truly resembles my everyday Parisian life.
Have you achieved the goals you set for this series?
Yes, season 2 is in development in the digital department of a very important Television Channel (definitely one of the best!) and we are looking at a possible VOD distribution after we open on the internet.
Artistically speaking, I feel that I have captured this character entirely and what issues us thirty year old’s face today; love, loss, unemployment, work, money, Tinder, Airbnb, social media, friendship, arguments, reconciliation and family. I’ve covered it all and really pushed for reflection on all these subjects.
Paris un Jour de on web:
Watch Paris un Jour de
Paris un Jour de website
Paris un Jour de on Facebook
Paris un Jour de on Twitter