Winter Palace
Swiss Alps, 1899: a young hotelier gambles everything on the first grand hotel to open all winter.
The Swiss Alps, 1899. Ambitious Swiss hotelier André Morel has a daring
vision: a five-star hotel that will remain open throughout the entire winter
season. But his risky venture will be challenged by extreme weather, a
somewhat rough-edged staff, and the demanding expectations of his
guests.
This eight-episode series, inspired by true events, portrays the birth of
luxury Alpine tourism and, more broadly, the invention of the winter
holiday. Alongside a lavish period drama, it offers captivating stories of
characters filled with desire, ambition, and secret loves.
Directors' note
What fascinates us about visionaries like Steve Jobs, Richard Branson or César Ritz? Their boundless ambition, their near-crazy boldness, their refusal to give up? Add to that their flair, a force that wins over even the most skeptical. These entrepreneurs are driven above all by overflowing enthusiasm and a capacity to imagine the future that captures everyone's attention.
In Winter Palace, André Morel embodies this archetype. His audacious project: to build a five-star hotel in the heart of the Alps at the dawn of the twentieth century. His consuming passion drives him to attempt the impossible, taking reckless risks. Charming and daring, André captivates with his force of conviction, yet also reveals a shadowy side. Behind the brilliant entrepreneur hides a vulnerable man, tormented by doubt and family secrets. This duality gives depth to both character and series.
Winter Palace transcends the conventions of historical series. Visually daring, it draws on the cinematic energy of Baz Luhrmann's Gatsby and the rock-and-roll freshness of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. Each episode is a sensory experience, a whirlwind of images and sounds; the camera constantly in motion, capturing the frenzy of the palace where guests and staff cross paths.
Winter Palace also explores what lies behind the scenes, where opulence hides dramas and disappointments. The series plays skillfully on contrasts: the luxury of the palace against the harshness of the Alpine village, industrial technology against untamed nature. The warm light inside, bathed in the glow of the first electric bulbs, contrasts with the cold vastness of the surrounding mountains.
Winter Palace is a project I'm passionate about. Driven by André Morel's fiery spirit, I see it as a major series about a visionary both complex and endearing. With its original setting, it has the potential to leave a lasting impression through unprecedented visuals and modern, relatable characters viewers can see themselves in.
Director's note
What fascinates us about visionaries like Steve Jobs, Richard Branson or César Ritz? Their boundless ambition, their near-crazy boldness, their refusal to give up? Add to that their flair, a force that wins over even the most skeptical. These entrepreneurs are driven above all by overflowing enthusiasm and a capacity to imagine the future that captures everyone's attention.
In Winter Palace, André Morel embodies this archetype. His audacious project: to build a five-star hotel in the heart of the Alps at the dawn of the twentieth century. His consuming passion drives him to attempt the impossible, taking reckless risks. Charming and daring, André captivates with his force of conviction, yet also reveals a shadowy side. Behind the brilliant entrepreneur hides a vulnerable man, tormented by doubt and family secrets. This duality gives depth to both character and series.
Winter Palace transcends the conventions of historical series. Visually daring, it draws on the cinematic energy of Baz Luhrmann's Gatsby and the rock-and-roll freshness of Sofia Coppola's Marie Antoinette. Each episode is a sensory experience, a whirlwind of images and sounds; the camera constantly in motion, capturing the frenzy of the palace where guests and staff cross paths.
Winter Palace also explores what lies behind the scenes, where opulence hides dramas and disappointments. The series plays skillfully on contrasts: the luxury of the palace against the harshness of the Alpine village, industrial technology against untamed nature. The warm light inside, bathed in the glow of the first electric bulbs, contrasts with the cold vastness of the surrounding mountains.
Winter Palace is a project I'm passionate about. Driven by André Morel's fiery spirit, I see it as a major series about a visionary both complex and endearing. With its original setting, it has the potential to leave a lasting impression through unprecedented visuals and modern, relatable characters viewers can see themselves in.