If you’re feeling a bit weary of the usual dramas, then this new series, guaranteed to “shatter your worldview,” is sure to leave you utterly stunned…
It’s the six-episode Italian miniseries, “The Art of Joy,” a show with unrestrained boldness and explosive plot twists, hailed by viewers as “more ruthless than palace intrigue, more insane than a爽剧(fast-paced satisfying drama),” and even sparking controversy when it premiered at Cannes.
But what truly subverts expectations is not the sensuality, but the extreme examination of a woman’s destiny. In a world that offers her no choices, how does the protagonist, Modesta, use cold-bloodedness, desire, and strategy to reverse her life step by step?
With six episodes, it currently holds a score of 8.3 on Douban.
A Story of Survival and Subversion
The story unfolds in 1900s Sicily, an era of religious oppression where women were seen as mere appendages.
The female lead, “Modesta,” comes from a poor background. Her mother despises her, resorting to beatings and scolding at every turn.
Her sister has intellectual disabilities, requiring her care.
And her father, who has been away for years, rapes her upon his return…
For others, “home” is a safe haven;
For her, it’s a living hell.
Until one late night, an accidental fire completely changes her destiny. She carelessly knocks over a kerosene lamp…
In the instant the flames erupt, she doesn’t call for help, nor does she try to extinguish them.
She simply stands silently in the firelight, watching as the blaze consumes everything…
From this moment on, her life officially embarks on a path of darkness.
Ascent to Power
After the fire, she is sent to a convent. Just when everyone thought she would become a nun, she begins a forbidden love affair in this ascetic sanctuary, actively seducing the female director.
When the other party tries to end the relationship, she calmly orchestrates a fall, silently removing the first obstacle.
Then, she inherits the director’s estate and successfully infiltrates a Sicilian aristocratic family.
In this new world, she continues her game of scheming and strategy, flirting with the young lady of the house while keeping the driver as a backup, and simultaneously winning the favor of the family elders. Ultimately, she marries the physically disabled young master, securing her status…
She knows that status is just the beginning; true security comes from inheritance rights.
Unfortunately, her husband is physically disabled and unable to get her pregnant.
So, she secretly seeks out a strong man on the estate to “borrow seed.” After successfully conceiving, she announces to the world that it is her husband’s child, directly elevating her status through her son and solidifying her position…
Control and Domination
But she is not satisfied with this.
She is well aware that to truly gain a foothold, she must not only survive but also control.
Thus, she gradually eliminates all potential threats: disobedient servants, those who pry into her secrets, relatives who hinder her expansion of power… all disappear silently under her watch.
In short, “The Art of Joy” portrays a woman’s journey of逆袭(rising against the odds) from the bottom to the top in a naked, extreme, and shocking way.
After watching all six episodes, the impact is immense.
If you’re a fan of this genre, you can download and watch it.
