What is “Winter Palace”, the Swiss blockbuster worth?

The French-speaking blockbuster, the first co-production with Netflix, was broadcast on December 26. If the ambitious project led by Pierre Monnard has its charm, it lacks bite.

In the Swiss Alps, in 1899. The beginning of winter tourism is narrated through the destiny of André Morel (Cyril Metzger), an ambitious hotelier, supported by the English aristocrat Lord Fairfax (Simon Ludders).

A mountain palace, adventures, a harsh and stormy climate (in every sense of the word), and above all a bet on tourism which outlines the outlines of the blockbuster. This qualifies the first series co-produced by the SSR and the Netflix juggernaut. We talk an investment by the SSR of 7 million francs.

In charge, Pierre Monnard (Placespitz baby) and screenwriter Lindsay Shapero. Launched on December 26, Winter Palace was shaping up to be the SSR’s great Christmas gift to Swiss viewers, a great alpine saga that was ambitious and appetizing on paper.

Let us say it straight away: the series deserves our attention. We easily let ourselves be imbued with the desires for success of André Morel, a character inspired by Cesar Ritz, whose desire to succeed at all costs rubs up against failure. The ransom of the pioneers of each sector.

The disruptive elements are first climatic, then they are human. The problems come from an American who arrives with his big boots to sow discord and take advantage of winter tourism in its infancy. The big capitalist straight from the distant continent intends to make some money, and scheme in the shadows.

A criminal dimension to spice up the story

In short, maneuvers and low blows are legion in the series. A criminal dimension is even added, to add a little spice to the story.

Vengeance comes to blacken the picture of this pioneering elk in the middle of the snowpacks. Like a whole symbol, the wild face of the mountain lets that of the hotel shine through. And in this equation of creating a new tourism, there are companies to captivate a new and rich clientele, using a multitude of stratagems to succeed where no one has dared.

In addition to the outlines of the economic epic, we appreciate the interest shown in the invention of winter tourism and its human aspect. Winter Palace, in its historic packaging, has advantages to put forward. But perhaps it lacks rhythm, and a dizziness; we feel the series a bit frozen and very wise in its exploration of the subject, even if it dares, sometimes, to go beyond the beaten integers and fully grasp its subject with both hands.

The actor Cyril Metzger in a scene from the series Winter Palace at Château Mercier in Sierre.Keystone

We would have hoped for a little courage, but Winter Palace remains, in the end, a careful production, which is good for Swiss serial creation. A project that will hopefully inspire others.

“Winter Palace” can be discovered from December 26 on Play RTS and RTS 1.