AceShowbiz - Hagai Levi, known for his work on Scenes From a Marriage and The Affair, offers a fresh take on Holocaust storytelling with his new series, Etty. Drawing inspiration from the diaries of Etty Hillesum, the show is set in a deliberately ambiguous "contemporary" Amsterdam rather than the 1940s, marking a departure from traditional period pieces focused on the Holocaust era.

The series immediately stands out with its modern aesthetic. Viewers will notice characters dressed in jeans and surrounded by architecture and technology that far exceed what was available in the 1940s. This intentional anachronism creates a unique atmosphere that blends historical narrative with present-day sensibilities, redefining how Holocaust stories can be told.

Levi has expressed that the era of conventional Holocaust period dramas is over, aiming instead to connect audiences with the emotional and philosophical depth of Hillesum’s writings through a contemporary lens. By detaching the story from a fixed historical timeframe, Etty invites viewers to engage with the themes of resilience and humanity in a way that resonates beyond the past.

This approach not only challenges expectations but also broadens the conversation about memory and representation in Holocaust media. While the series honors the legacy of Etty Hillesum’s diaries, it does so by reimagining their setting, making the story feel immediate and relevant to modern audiences.

Etty is poised to offer a distinct and thought-provoking experience, highlighting the enduring impact of its source material through a style that is both innovative and respectful.