Dans une galaxie près de chez vous

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The team aboard the Romano Fafard.
The team aboard the Romano Fafard.

Dans une galaxie près de chez-vous is a Quebec television series that aired on Le Canal Famille (later VRAK.TV) from 1997 to 2001, and a movie of the same name, released in 2004. It is a sci-fi humouristic parody.

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[edit] Television show

[edit] Synopsis

The series chronicles the long, futuristic voyage of a team of Québécois space explorers (with one half-Russian, one half-alien and one robot) looking for a planet capable of sustaining life, in the year 2034. This epic search is made essential because of the destruction of the ozone layer by excessive human pollution, prompting the need for a new planet to welcome humankind. The few habitable planets encountered are often ultimately left alone because of an existing population occupying the land, creating the prospect of the inconceivable ethical wrong, for the team, of taking the land of another people. The starship, christened Romano Fafard, is led by Captain Charles Patenaude (played by Guy Jodoin), a presumptuous but endearing man prone to making pompous, solemn declarations (and screwing up when saying proverbs).

[edit] Background

The series is an obvious parody of science-fiction works like Star Trek, a bit like the British Red Dwarf. A spirit of environmentalism, humanitarianism, pacifism and ethics is ever-present throughout the series. Sometimes, the social comment on the selfish errors of humankind regarding pollution and war can be misanthropic, but still hopeful and idealistic. Most members of the team subscribe to these noble morals, with the notable exception of Brad Spitfire, an infinitely egotistic, machiavellian and amoral crewmember. Despite these negative traits, actor Stéphane Crête plays him in such a way that the character's great faults remain extremely amusing and lovable.

The title translates to In a galaxy near you, a pun on the classic cinema advertising line Coming to a theatre near you. It was initially set to be broadcast on a mainstream network under the name Vadrouille de l'espace. Patrouille du cosmos (Space Patrol) is the French language title of Star Trek within Quebec (France knows it by its original title); Vadrouille de l'espace basically translates to Space Mop. Science-fiction being rare in Quebec fiction, the main networks ultimately did not accept to risk broadcasting the show. The creators turned to the youth-oriented Canal Famille (the former name of Vrak TV), who welcomed the project. Even if it was presented on a Children's channel, its humour is, while caricatural, often relatively mature and sophisticated.

[edit] Movie

A movie with that same title and premise was released in 2004. It proved to be a hit with younger and older viewers, and drew very good reviews relatively unanticipated from intellectual critics. It was also groundbreaking for its impressive special effects accomplished with a small budget and a short filming time, and for being one of the few sci-fi Quebec films, along with Dans le ventre du dragon. Two sequels are planned.

[edit] Quotes

  • "We are in 2034. The situation on Earth is catastrophic. The ozone layer has been completely destroyed by the carbonic gas of automobiles, the chemical industries, and the poosh-poosh in little cans. in the end, the earth cooks under the rays of the sun. We must find a planet on which can live 6 billion idiots. The planetary federation turns to the strongest country in the world: Canada. It is Canadian knowledge that has allowed, on October 28th 2034, the launch of the spaceship Romano Fafard, which leaves earth to search the confines of the Universe."
    • Opening of the show.
  • "Vini, Vidi, Vici". That means "I'll go, I'll check it out and I'll call you back."
    • An example of Captain Charles Patenaude screwing up a proverb.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

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