Netflix series Thieves of the Wood, season one immerses itself in the Flemish region of Aalst in 1747. It’s clear from the first chapter that the population is stricken by poverty and illnesses. The village looks worn and shrouded by military objectives rather than focusing on the wellbeing of the people. There is talk of an increase in tax to build new roads and a Mayor barely understanding the mechanics of their dwindling finances. The series sets the scene of a depressed world where the poor are encouraged to steal from each other rather than question the rich who are keeping everything for themselves. It is murky-looking. Its grey overlay displays a bitter reality of the time and the desperation of the villagers. The poor and the sick have been exiled; banished and forced to live in the woods nearby. The Netflix series is a fine example of what happens when you push the disadvantaged into a corner – they rightfully plot, plan, and revolt. Thieves of the Wood season one is a war story between the rich and the poor, with the poor finding ways to reverse their fortunes while the rich attempt to continue with their plans at the expense of their villagers. The series manages to truly capture the time, with escalating violence and a terrible sense of reality for those at the bitter end of abusive power. It’s worth adding to your list.