"Emily in Paris" causes debate between France and Italy

Netflix's hit series "Emily in Paris" has sparked debate between Paris and Rome after it revealed at the end of its fourth season that its main character was moving to Rome, catching many viewers by surprise.

This has also brought the reaction of French President Emmanuel Macron, who said that his country "will fight hard" to stop the relocation of the series to the capital of Italy.

"We will ask them to stay in Paris, 'Emily in Paris' in Rome makes no sense," he said in an interview published Wednesday in Variety.

After the French president's comments, the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, reacted, who responded on X, writing: "Dear Emmanuel Macron, don't worry: Emily is doing great in Rome. And man cannot control the heart: let him choose.”

Gualtieri added in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter Rome: "Doesn't President Macron have more pressing matters to worry about?"

"I would like to believe, at least I would like to hope, that Macron was joking, because he must know that a production company like Netflix does not take orders from heads of state or make decisions based on political pressure," he continued. further he.

The series "Emily in Paris" centers on 20-year-old American Emily Cooper, played by Lily Collins, who moves from Chicago to Paris for a job and enjoys "la belle vie" in the French capital.

Macron has long been associated with the show. His wife, Brigitte, took a photo in season four when Emily saw him at a coffee shop and asked for a selfie. And in the series, Brigitte shares one of Emily's social media posts in the first season.

"I was super proud and she was very happy to do it," Macron said of his wife's appearance. "It's only been a few minutes, but I think it was a very good moment for him. I think it is good for the image of France. 'Emily in Paris' is super positive about the country's attractiveness. It is a very good initiative".

While the series has drawn criticism from some French viewers for leaning towards Parisian clichés and avoiding issues such as homelessness in the city, it has boosted tourism in the country's capital, according to a study conducted by France's national film center in January.

About a tenth of tourists decided to visit France after watching a certain film or series, and in 38% of those cases, it was "Emily in Paris" that provided the inspiration to visit France.