Starting this Friday, October 18 on Prime Video, the “Cult” series tells the behind-the-scenes story of “Loft Story.” Meet these creators.
How did you come up with the idea of returning to the origins of reality TV in France with the creation of “Loft Story”?
We were 13 and 14 years old in 2001, at the time of Loft, so we were really spectators. We were part of the target. We watched the live broadcast religiously in the morning and met at 6 p.m. to talk about it. At school, it was a topic of discussion among students, but also with teachers and even parents. It was a social phenomenon that directly involved us. We wondered: what does this say about youth? Who is watching this? Everyone had an opinion. Ten years later we discovered The Social Network by David Fincher, who recounts the creation of Facebook. We were fascinated, because through an entrepreneurial story, we were witnessing a thriller. We then asked ourselves what French equivalent could have the same impact on society. And then, we remembered the Loft. We started to do our research and discovered a gold mine: twists and turns, duels, clashes… All the ingredients for a good series.
What do you think were the keys to the success of this show?
The voyeuristic side, of course. But it was almost innocent voyeurism at first. The phenomenon really started with the swimming pool episode, one of the first big buzzes in history. After this event, everyone had to have an opinion, and this marked a turning point. Beyond this aspect, there was also the representation of a generation of young people that we never saw on television. It was the first time that such diverse people, like Kenza or Loana, coming from different backgrounds, were highlighted. It was out of the usual television bourgeoisie and the spectators were captivated. Finally, what made this first reality show unique was that the participants had no idea what they were getting into. Their interactions were extremely natural. When we look at these exchanges today, we are still struck by their accuracy.
Your series shows a new generation of thirty-somethings who are taking over in the upper echelons of television. However, they will be absorbed by the object they have created. Do you see the Loft as a “monster” that has perhaps transformed TV too much?
Yes. Our characters, like those who created the Loft, did not expect such success, nor the massive negative reactions. They were threatened, had to live under police protection… It was completely excessive. But, at the same time, they have all become essential figures in the media landscape. Seeing these outsiders become insiders, observing the sacrifices they had to make along the way, was of particular interest to us.
