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Saudi drama: The crisis of scripts and the challenges of Ramadan production

Saudi drama suffers from repetition and a lack of innovation despite government support. Learn about the reasons behind the script crisis and time constraints facing artistic productions, and proposed solutions for improvement.

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Saudi drama: The crisis of scripts and the challenges of Ramadan production

Saudi drama faces fundamental challenges that trap it in a cycle of repetition, rendering it seemingly incapable of keeping pace with the comprehensive renaissance and radical transformations that Saudi Arabia has witnessed over the past decade. Despite the rising aspirations of Saudi viewers and the evolution of their artistic taste, local drama production remains stagnant, unable to offer content that reflects the magnitude of the social and cultural changes.

A history of comedy and the enduring influence of "Tash"

Looking back at the historical context, the popular series "Tash Ma Tash" marked a turning point in the history of Saudi television, offering social commentary in a satirical and comedic format that suited a specific era. However, Saudi drama remains captive to this model, with most current productions adopting the style of "Tash" and its ilk, relying on episodic but interconnected episodes and improvised comedy. Despite the passage of many years, the industry has been unable to break free from this mold, resulting in a lack of innovation and renewal, with only superficial changes to sets and names while the core content remains repetitive and overused.

The crisis of texts and the escape from tragedy

Observers of the local drama scene have noticed an excessive tendency towards light comedy, neglecting the tragic aspect that demands a well-crafted plot and profound dramatic connections. This trend stems from purely production-related reasons, primarily the desire to reduce costs and intellectual effort. Tragic works require highly skilled actors and tightly woven scripts, a task that challenges production teams, who then opt for easier solutions by assembling a large cast at lower wages in readily available comedic formats.

Institutional support versus production stagnation

These problems arise at a time when the Kingdom is witnessing an unprecedented artistic revolution, supported by the existence of a Ministry of Culture and specialized bodies concerned with regulating and supporting the arts sector. However, this institutional support has not been sufficiently reflected in the quality of television series, which still suffer from a "time constraints" crisis. The responsibility here is shared between producers, writers, and television channels; series are often approved only about 60 days before Ramadan, placing creators in a real predicament to search for scripts, filming locations, and actors in record time, thus stifling opportunities for creativity and excellence.

Proposed solutions for advancing the industry

To achieve a qualitative leap that allows it to compete regionally and within the Arab world, Saudi drama doesn't need an increase in the number of productions, but rather a change in its production methodology. This requires early preparation for the drama seasons and allocating sufficient time for scriptwriting and pre-production. Furthermore, investing in Saudi Arabia's literary heritage is a crucial step, by adapting successful local novels and stories into television series with dramatic weight. This will move the industry beyond the confines of vulgar comedy and slapstick, and offer viewers content befitting the Kingdom's cultural and artistic standing.

The Saudi News Network first launched on Twitter via its official account, @SaudiNews50, and quickly became one of the Kingdom's leading independent news sources, thanks to its fast and reliable coverage of major local and international events. Due to the growing trust of its followers, the network expanded by launching its website, a comprehensive news platform offering regularly updated content in the fields of politics, economics, health, education, and national events, presented in a professional style that meets the public's expectations. The network strives to enhance public awareness and provide accurate information in a timely manner through on-the-ground reporting, in-depth analysis, and a specialized editorial team, making it a trusted source for anyone seeking up-to-the-minute Saudi news.

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Culture and Art

Ali Al-Sharqawi: A Biography of the Bahraini Poet and Pioneer of Dramatic Song

Learn about the biography of the poet Ali Al-Sharqawi, from his upbringing in Manama and his experience in detention, to his pioneering role in dramatic song and Bahraini theater and his collaboration with Khalid Al-Sheikh.

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Ali Al-Sharqawi: A Biography of the Bahraini Poet and Pioneer of Dramatic Song

The great Bahraini poet Ali Al-Sharqawi is a landmark figure in the history of literature and culture in the Arabian Gulf region. He represents a model of the engaged intellectual who was able to blend national concerns with profound personal experience and artistic creativity that resonated deeply with the masses. Speaking about Al-Sharqawi is not merely recounting the life of a poet, but rather exploring a significant era in Bahrain's cultural and social history, stretching from the alleyways of old Manama to the pinnacles of Arab literary achievement.

Origin and formation in Fereej Al-Fadhel

Ali Ahmed Jassim Al-Sharqawi was born in 1948 in the Al-Fadhil neighborhood of Manama, and grew up in a modest environment in his father's pearl-fisher home. Despite the harsh circumstances, he armed himself with determination to complete his education, obtaining his high school diploma in 1967. He then moved to Iraq to obtain a diploma from the Institute of Human Laboratory Sciences in Baghdad in 1971, and later completed a training course in Britain in 1981. This educational journey coincided with an early passion for reading, as he devoured books and magazines, influenced by prominent figures of Arabic and international poetry, from Al-Mutanabbi and Shawqi to Lorca and Rimbaud.

Intellectual transformations and the prison experience

Against the historical backdrop of the 1970s, the region was awash with intellectual and political currents. In his youth, Sharqawi embraced leftist ideas and slogans of social justice, which was reflected in his early poems, characterized by a revolutionary tone and political incitement. This activism led to his arrest, and he spent four years (1975-1979) behind bars. This period served as a "spiritual laboratory" for the poet, where he reshaped his consciousness, moving away from direct political expression towards broader humanistic and mystical horizons, believing that the message of human brotherhood was paramount.

Pioneer of dramatic song and theater

Critics, including Yousef Al-Hamdan, point to Al-Sharqawi's mastery of the "dramatic poem," which differs from the personal lyric, as it requires the ability to embody conflict and action. This creativity was evident during the golden age of Bahraini drama in the 1990s, where Al-Sharqawi, along with composer Khaled Al-Sheikh and director Ahmed Yaqoub Al-Muqla, formed a "golden trio" that produced works still etched in the Gulf's collective memory.

Al-Sharqawi's influence transcended local boundaries, as the opening and closing credits of television series he wrote became part of the cultural identity of Gulf viewers, such as "Saadoun," "Farjan Lawal," "Al-Bayt Al-Aoud," and "Malfa Al-Ajawid." These were not merely songs, but artistic documents that chronicled heritage and social values, thus becoming deeply ingrained in the popular consciousness and passed down through generations.

Love and creative partnership

In a remarkable display of humanity, Sharqawi defied strict social traditions to crown his love story with the poet Fathia Ajlan with marriage, after they met by chance in a medical laboratory. This marriage resulted in an artistic family and three daughters (Fay, Fayd, and Fawz), and despite his widespread fame, Sharqawi remained simple and humble, as attested to by those close to him.

A literary legacy that transcends borders

Al-Sharqawi did not limit himself to lyrical poetry; he enriched the Arabic literary canon with plays for adults and children, and poetry collections that have been translated into several international languages, including English, French, and Russian. This “mischievous boy” from Manama managed to become a global voice, affirming that true creativity springs from the local and resonates with all of humanity.

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Culture and Art

Ramadan series opening credits: Surprises from Mona Wassef and Wael Kfoury

The race for Ramadan series theme songs is heating up, with top stars participating. Details on Mona Wassef's singing, Wael Kfoury's return, and a list of other prominent singers including Assala and Elissa.

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Ramadan series opening credits: Surprises from Mona Wassef and Wael Kfoury

As the annual Ramadan drama marathon approaches, attention is turning sharply to the opening credits of Ramadan series . These are no longer mere musical introductions, but have transformed into a fierce artistic competition, rivaling the importance of the series' plots themselves. Current indicators point to a remarkable surge in interest in theme songs, which have become a space for artistic and popular influence, playing a crucial role in shaping viewers' first impressions, with the participation of some of the Arab world's brightest singing stars.

The highly anticipated Ramadan season promises some major surprises that reflect the evolution of the drama industry. Perhaps the most notable is the esteemed actress Mona Wassef's foray into singing the theme song for a drama series in which she also stars. This bold and unique step in her long and distinguished career has generated widespread interest and anticipation among both critics and audiences. Meanwhile, star Wael Kfoury a strong comeback to the world of theme songs after years of absence, adding significant artistic weight to the season. Rahma Riad her place with a fresh, dramatic voice that perfectly complements the nature of the series she's accompanying, further highlighting the diversity of musical styles offered this year.

The competition isn't limited to these names; the list extends to include stars of the caliber of Assala , Elissa , Bahaa Sultan , and Mohamed Adawiya . This large gathering of melodious voices reflects the diversity of musical schools and styles, and underscores the production companies' strategy of relying on musical sound as an integral part of the dramatic identity of their works.

have held significant marketing importance
. They have long been an integral part of the collective memory of Arab viewers, with some dramas achieving lasting fame thanks to their music and songs, which have outlived the series themselves. This concept has evolved in recent years, transforming the theme song from a complementary artistic element into a powerful marketing tool. Producers now rely on releasing songs days before the start of Ramadan, leveraging social media platforms and YouTube to generate buzz and attract audiences well in advance of the first episode.

This shift has made the selection of singers, lyrics, and melody an extremely meticulous process, aimed at broadening audience engagement and emotionally connecting viewers to the work from the very first moments. In light of high production volumes and fierce competition between channels and digital platforms, a successful opening theme song has become a passport to a series' high viewership, explaining the enormous budgets currently allocated to these theme songs.

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Culture and Art

Yasmine Abdel Aziz responds to rumors with a sarcastic photo and a court ruling

Yasmine Abdel Aziz breaks her silence and responds to the rumors in a sarcastic manner, using Adel Imam as an inspiration, and announces that she will take strict legal action against those who spread false news and abuse her.

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Yasmine Abdel Aziz responds to rumors with a sarcastic photo and a court ruling

Egyptian actress Yasmine Abdel Aziz on search engines and social media platforms in recent hours after breaking her silence to respond to a wave of rumors and false reports targeting her personal and professional life. Yasmine has chosen a two-pronged strategy, combining biting sarcasm with firm legal action, reflecting her growing impatience with what she describes as a systematic campaign against her.

A satirical message using the leader

In a clever move that garnered widespread public attention, Yasmine Abdel Aziz resorted to her well-known sense of humor, posting an iconic image of the legendary actor Adel Imam from the film "Alzheimer's" on her official Instagram account, captioned with the brief phrase: "I did all of that." This indirect response conveyed a message of surprise and disapproval at the sheer volume of fabricated stories circulating about her. She chose not to delve into the details of these rumors or attempt to justify them, opting instead to ridicule them through humor—a tactic her fans have come to expect from her in difficult situations.

The end of the policy of ignoring and resorting to the judiciary

On the other hand, Yasmine didn't just resort to mockery; she also displayed a more assertive side on her Facebook account. She officially announced the end of her previous period of silence and ignoring the attacks, confirming that she had instructed her legal team to take all necessary measures against the pages and accounts that promote fabricated images or false news that damage her reputation as an artist and as an Egyptian mother. In her statement, she indicated that the transgressions had reached an intolerable level, necessitating legal intervention to deter the offenders.

The price of fame and the impact of social media

This move comes within a broader context where the Egyptian and Arab art scene is grappling with the chaos of online publishing on social media platforms, where celebrities have become constant targets of rumors aimed at generating engagement (trending). Yasmine Abdel Aziz is one of Egypt's most prominent leading actresses, whose television and film work enjoys a massive following, making any news about her a hot topic, whether true or fabricated. Her recent stance reflects a growing trend among artists to go beyond mere media denials and resort to the cybercrime unit and the Egyptian judiciary, which imposes strict penalties for defamation, slander, and the dissemination of false news online.

A decisive message to the artistic community

Observers believe that Yasmine Abdel Aziz's move carries particular significance, as it sends a strong warning message to anyone who takes it lightly to delve into the private lives of celebrities. While the public is accustomed to her lightheartedness, Yasmine has proven her ability to firmly protect her personal boundaries, emphasizing that online chaos must be confronted by law, and that her personal freedom and her family's reputation are a red line that she will not allow to be crossed under any circumstances.

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