This year’s Ramadan TV season is underway, and there are expectations that series may be subjected to censorship, as per statements released in early May by the Supreme Media Regulatory Council, threatening to enact fines on works that include content the committee deems to be contradictory to societal values. Following the episodes is likely to give us some idea about the margin of freedom currently allowed for TV productions, and whether the state is indeed seeking to expand its control over art under the banner of protecting public morals.
The first episodes aired this season also highlight the absence of some big names in Ramadan drama, like Ahmed Mekky (Al-Kabeer [The Great, 2010–2015] and Khalsana be-Shyaka [End It Well, 2017]), and Donia Samir Ghanem, who has presented a few comedic treats over the past few years, (Nelly and Sherihan (2016) and Fil La La Land [In La La Land, 2017]), and Youssef al-Sherif, who has become hugely popular among youth with a thirst for action productions with American industry standards (Al-Qaisar [The Caesar, 2016] and Kafr Delhab, 2017). Also notably absent are screenwriters Tamer Habib (Grand Hotel, 2016 and La Totfea al-Shams [The Sun Will Never Set, 2017]) and Mohamed Amin Rady (Neeran Sadeeqa [Friendly Fire, 2013] and Al-Saba’ Wasaya [The Seven Commandments, 2014]) and directors Kamla Abu Zekry (Zaat (2013), Segn al-Nisa [Women’s Prison, 2014] and Wahat al-Ghoroub [Sunset Oasis, 2017]) and Tamer Mohsen (Taht al-Saytara [Under Control, 2015] and Haza al-Masaa [This Evening, 2017]).
A lackluster season, perhaps the least exciting in years, it still evokes some curiosity. The dominant trend this Ramadan is mystery, action and suspense, preferably in the vein of fighting terrorism. It seems as if everyone is following the same manual. In almost every series is an officer, and in almost every pilot episode a murder. Gone is the element of social drama that made a gradual comeback in past years, and the comedy is mired in mediocrity.
Mada Masr watched the first few episodes of 28 series, to bring you our recommendations of what to watch and what to drop.
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