22/03/2024 - Jonathan Hazan and Matthieu Bernard’s series tackles the taboo subject of sexual assistance for people with disabilities through the prism of a family comedy

In the dynamic landscape of French television, which continues to push the envelope, extra. distinguishes itself as an earnest examination of a taboo subject: sexual relief for individuals with disabilities. This theme, though previously explored in Geoffrey Enthoven's 2011 comedy road movie Come as You Are [+see also:
trailer
interview: Geoffrey Enthoven
film profile], receives a fresh treatment in the French series created by Jonathan Hazan and Matthieu Bernard, now screening at Series Mania. Here, the delicate topic is broached through the lens of a family comedy, offering a unique blend of sensitivity and humour.

Catherine (Anne Girouard) is an uptight, middle-aged mother and housewife, who also dedicates herself to caring for her convivial quadriplegic brother, Xavier (Nicolas Lumbreras). In addition to her family responsibilities, she leads an inclusive choir. A particularly awkward incident occurs when she inadvertently discovers Athena, one of the choir's wheelchair-using members, receiving sexual relief from a partner. This event catalyses Catherine's journey towards understanding and advocating for sexual assistance for individuals with disabilities.

Meanwhile, Catherine's own marital relationship is experiencing a serious lack of intimacy. Her ignorant husband, Antoine (Stéphane Debac), is preoccupied with expanding their family-run mattress store, neglecting his wife's emotional and sexual needs in the process. Their teenage son, Anatole (Rio Vega), is navigating his own burgeoning sexual desires and temptations, adding another layer of complexity to the family dynamic.

Upon discovering that her brother Xavier has been receiving sexual assistance within their home, Catherine delves deeper into the subject, engaging with professionals in the field. Her initial efforts to introduce such support in France encounter significant obstacles. The assistant she meets in Switzerland, although willing, is unable to operate in France owing to legislative constraints. Faced with the absence of similar services in her own country, Catherine takes a major step by deciding to provide her own version of therapeutic support. Catherine’s story arc not only seeks to demystify and humanise the sexual desires of individuals with disabilities, but also aims to challenge preconceived notions regarding intimacy, pleasure and the inherent right to personal fulfilment.

Hazan, with his background in producing multi-award-winning short films, and Bernard, with his diverse experience spanning documentaries, TV films and series writing, address this delicate topic with a distinctive blend of dramedy infused with pervasive, offbeat humour. This methodological approach enables the series to explore the subject matter without resorting to clichés. By doing so, it not only brings to the fore the sexual desires and rights of individuals with disabilities, but also holds up a mirror to the sexual manners of mainstream society.

This occasionally satirical tale disrupts entrenched notions of normalcy, challenging viewers and providing them with food for thought. extra. exhibits a commitment to exploring the sexual autonomy of individuals with disabilities, framed within the context of a family comedy, which imbues the series with a humanistic quality, addressing an often-overlooked social issue while avoiding overt politicisation. By choosing this narrative thread, the creators manage to focus on the personal and emotional aspects of their characters' journeys, foregrounding the universal need for intimacy and acceptance.

extra. was produced by France’s Les Films du Cygne. The local broadcaster is OCS.