Emily in Paris France Italy Fight: It seems like two countries France and Italy are all set to be at loggerheads over a Netflix globally hit series. Yes! you heard it right. At a sensitive time when nations are declaring war on each other over age-old disputes, France and Italy have come face to face over a globally hit Netflix series. The name of the series is Emily in Paris. Directed by Andrew Fleming, Emily in Paris has now reached season 4 and is streaming on Netflix. Now, the question arises why France and Italy are fighting over Emily in Paris? Below is everything you need to know-
Why France and Italy are fighting over Emily in Paris?
The makers of Emily in Paris have dropped a hint that the series' background may shift to Rome rather than Paris. While Paris is part of France, Rome is part of Italy. Emily in Paris Season 4 ended with its lead character heading to Rome. Following that French President Emmanuel Macron waded into the conversation and said the country 'will fight hard' to stop the show from relocating to Italy’s capital.
Variety quoted French President Emmanual Macron saying, "We will ask them to remain in Paris, 'Emily in Paris'” in Rome doesn’t make sense."
For those who haven't watched the Emily in Paris series, the show revolves around 20-something American marketing executive Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, who moves from Chicago to Paris for a job and enjoys la belle vie in the French capital. It frequently ranks among Netflix’s most-watched shows and when the streaming giant renewed it for a fifth season, its creator Darren Star said Emily will now 'have a presence in Rome.'
What did Italy say about Macron's comments?
Rome's mayor Roberto Gualtieri took to his X handle and wrote, “Dear Emmanuel Macron, don’t worry: Emily is doing great in Rome. And one can’t control the heart: let’s let her choose." Later, Roberto Gualtieri in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter Roma said, "Doesn’t President Macron have more pressing matters to worry about? I would like to believe, at least I would like to hope, that Macron was joking because he ought to know that a production company like Netflix does not take orders from heads of state or make decisions based on political pressure."
For the unversed, French President Emmanuel Macron has been associated with Emily in Paris. Yes! you heard it right. Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte made a cameo in season four when Emily spotted her in a cafe and asked for a selfie.
Why France is fighting for Emily in Paris?
As per CNN, the Emily in Paris series on Netflix has boosted tourism to the country’s capital. A study conducted by France’s National Film Center found in January that around one-tenth of tourists decided to visit France after viewing a particular movie or the Netflix series and in 38% of those instances, it was 'Emily in Paris' that inspired a French vacation.