LA CASA DEL PAPEL - rock'n roll fashion show meets thriller action !

ASHOK’s FIVE reasons to watch “MONEY HEIST” Season 4 now streaming on Netflix or the more fancy Spanish name “LA CASA DEL PAPEL” (the house of paper). Created by Madrid based Alex Pina, this show has caught public fancy across the world and the unique iconography of the show is fast becoming common world-wide currency. Acquired by Netflix in 2017, Money Heist has gone on to become the most watched non-English show in several countries including France, Italy, Argentina and Brazil. In India, our own SRK has gone on record saying this is a show he wants to create, and popular memes abound as to which Bollywood character would fit each of the iconic characters of the show. The latest one has Ayushman Khurana as the Professor and Tabu as Raquel Muerillo!

1.       Watch Money Heist for its unique Iconography and symbolism. The characters names after world cities, Salvador Dali masks, unique red overalls and the Bella Ciao song have gone on to catch public fancy. The title song in English has become a rage too. The popular refrain of revolution and empathy for the common man pervades the show and you start rooting for the villains who are the heroes here. People have sent Alex Pina images of tattoos of the characters and babies in Argentina have been named after them. In the French city of Nantes, a real-life robbery had the burglars wearing the red overalls and the Dali masks! No wonder then that the Instagram page for the show now has over 11 million followers

2.       Season 4 starts with Nairobi being shot, the villain coming in from the inside in the form of Gandia and Raquel finally freed but with Inspector Alicia Sierra going after the Professor with a lot of flashbacks thrown in. The non-linear story telling pattern continues with flashbacks of the earlier commander Berlin interrupting the action sequences. This seems to be an effort to appeal to the Berlin fans but jars when it comes to the thrilling sequences.

3.       Behind the symbolism and the larger than life action, there is emotional turmoil that is dialed up in the backdrop of a variety of relationships in the show – the Tokyo – Rio relationship, Moscow – Denver (father – son) relationship and the introvert Professor who falls in love with the fiery Inspector Raquel. This leads audiences to care for each character and even amidst the conflicts you are left hopelessly hoping that both sides can win!

4.       Tokyo, Berlin, Nairobi and the Professor are fast becoming fashion symbols and in the words of Alvaro Mote who plays the Professor “It’s pure rock ’n roll”. The success of the show depends equally on how the characters are developed and evolved. Unlike the classical school of thought that says characters should stay within a fixed template, Money Heist has them saying and doing the most unexpected things and this what makes it special. One word of advice do not watch the English dub – the Spanish original makes the characters truly come alive!

5.        I am wary of Spoilers and would therefore just leave you with the thought that Season 4 is now making the series a little more predictable while still being one of the most watchable shows during this quarantine period. In its effort to cater to world-wide audiences, I wouldn’t be surprised if it introduces a new character “Mumbai” or perhaps “Ahmadabad” anyone?

The essence of Money Heist is the classic audacious burglary master minded by a clever ‘one step ahead’ Professor and executed by a set of pop icons. The format has been done before (remember the Ocean’s Eleven series) but the unique characters, symbolism and emotions make all the difference. Fans are divided as to whether Money Heist has attained cult status Ala Breaking Bad but I would say that Money Heist is still evolving and is now at the cross-roads!