“Emily in Paris” criticized the Ukrainian character as “attacking”

(CNN) –– Minister of Culture Ukraine By saw the series “Emily in Paris” Netflix… He was not happy about it Program.

In the second season of the show, which premiered in December, Oleksandr Takashenko expressed frustration with the “attack” portrayed by the Ukrainian character Petra.

The last season begins with American executive Emily, played by Lily Collins, who cheats on the consequences of sleeping with her boyfriend Gabriel (Lucas Bravo). Demands for her work in Paris and the cultural barriers that exist between her and her Parisian colleagues.

To help integrate into this new life, the Chicago native joined an elementary French class. There he meets Petra, played by Daria Panchenko.

However, Petra makes a bad impression on Emily, who unwittingly steals clothes from a local mall and encourages her to do the same before running to the streets of Paris.

“Unacceptable” and “offensive”

Tkachenko rejected the plot.

“Emily in Paris has a cartoon of a Ukrainian woman, which is unacceptable. On the other hand, it’s hurtful. Are Ukrainians abroad like this? Wrote in a post on his official Telegram channel.

After watching the first season and describing it as “a good entertainment series,” Tkachenko said he now has “some ideas”.

“Netflix is ​​familiar with Ukraine. Suffice it to say that most of the streets of Paris were filmed in Kiev in the movie ‘The Last Mercenary’,” he noted.

“Also, by popularizing our culture, Europeans and Americans have met our artists and many more. At least director Oksana Liniv, tennis player Elena Svitolina, singer Jamala, designer Vita Kin.”

“But this is not enough. And we will have to continue to fight with the same ideas. If in the 1990s and 2000s Ukrainians were primarily portrayed as thugs, that has changed over time.”

CNN contacted Netflix for comment.

“Emily in Paris”: A fan favorite?

When the first season of “Emily in Paris” was screened in 2020, some French viewers saw it. Criticized, He said, recycling outdated clichs about the city and its citizens.

Most recently, Emily’s new love interest, Albee (Lucian Lewiskound), a British banker, received mixed reviews from audiences.

Lucas Bravo (left) and Lucian Lewiskound (right) play Emily’s two romantic interests in the second season of the Netflix show.

“I hate how Alfie was portrayed in ‘Emily in Paris'”, Has tweeted that One user argued, “The British people would not be this shameful.”

“Alfie’s” Emily in Paris is a really identical British guy who wants to go to the pub. ” Wrote Others.

“I love Alfie from Emily in Paris”, Has tweeted that Another user.

Despite the criticism, the Emmy-nominated show repeatedly won over audiences.

The first season aired in 58 million homes in its first four weeks and is Netflix’s most popular comedy series by 2020. Press release.