Based on Bron, a series which took place on the border between Sweden and Denmark, FX will be premiering its newest drama The Bridge next week. Highlighting the U.S.-Mexico border and starring Oscar-nominated Demián Bichir (A Better Life) it tells the story of two homicide detectives who work on opposite sides of the bridge that connects El Paso with Ciudad Juarez.
[insert-video youtube=UH_Fmg7R7LE]
Attempting to target Latinos while at the same time appealing to a general audience the show’s creators have brought together a talented multinational cast and crew. Mexican filmmaker, Gerardo Naranjo of the much acclaimed indie Miss Bala is directing the series. The actors including Diane Kruger (Inglourious Basterds) and Catalina Sandino Moreno (Maria Full of Grace) along with Demián Bichir organically switch between English and Spanish. In the history of English-language television in the U.S. it has been rare for a network to showcase a bilingual program. Hopefully, the content will be compelling enough for American audiences to move past their supposed discomfort with reading subtitles.
The sneak peek videos released by FX are in both English and Spanish and reveal the look of the show. It’s a dark, moody crime drama with a bilingual twist that showcases the expansive landscapes of the border.
[insert-video youtube=dsyDVEJ29GA]
Our friends over at Latino Rebels fear this will be another typical view of the border where, “American cops are decent, but Mexican cops are corrupt.” In the above clip, the show’s director, Naranjo, admits that there is crime and corruption in Mexico and especially Ciudad Juarez but wants to move away from stereotypes. He says that he aims to demonstrate that there is good and bad in both countries and that Ciudad Juarez, despite its reputation, is full of vitality.
We are willing to give the show a chance. Let’s hope Naranjo get its right and is able to strike a balance between everyday life on the border and it’s seedy underworld of crime, human trafficking, and drug smuggling.
The Bridge premieres Wednesday, July 10 at 10 p.m. on FX. It will also air on MundoFox dubbed in Spanish.
Follow @TheBridgeFX on Twitter and like the page on Facebook.