Yearly, an increasing number of Tunisians uncover the well-known cleaning soap operas on the time of Ramadan. These sequence discover taboos and controversial matters, sparking debate inside Tunisian society, which is predominantly conservative.
Report from our Tunisian correspondent, Lilia Blaise
After the fast-paced meal, retired Fatma and her 34-year-old son Amine have a convention of watching Ramadan cleaning soap operas, authentic Tunisian productions that solely play through the holy month. “We are able to not wait till it begins after we are with the household, a bit like now. We’re all gathered and we watch the cleaning soap operas after which we speak about it and we debate it, it’s a convention, ”explains Fatma.
However for her, the attraction of the cleaning soap operas of yesteryear isn’t any longer the identical. “The cleaning soap operas have modified a bit, in comparison with Ramadan, the content material of some remains to be a bit daring,” says Fatma.
Dare as a result of of scenes of violence, usually extra for an knowledgeable public. However because the revolution, cleaning soap operas have additionally assumed a freedom of tone and content material. This 12 months, Amine was seduced by Harga, a brand new manufacturing about unlawful immigration. “The position that an audiovisual work can play is above all by way of its pedagogical and pedagogical operate. Harga fulfills this operate as a result of he handles a really delicate and really essential topic in Tunisia, he assures us.
Within the Sidi Bou Saïd district, Fatma, 37, and a communications guide take pleasure in watching cleaning soap operas on their very own and never with their households. It follows a drama known as Ouled El Ghoul, extra centered on ethical points. “There are fairly taboo matters which can be mentioned reminiscent of rape, sexual harassment, pregnancies outdoors of marriage … I believe it is sweet that these matters are mentioned,” she explains.
Some typically go too far as a hidden digicam, displaying a vaccination in opposition to Covid-19, with lethal results. The World Well being Group has demanded that it’s suspended. Within the Ariana market, Afef Souissi, medical secretary, says he’s upset in regards to the program, whereas the nation is in the midst of a vaccination marketing campaign. “It gives the look that vaccination is just not good and it scares folks,” she regrets.
Debates and polemics that each 12 months give numerous work to HAICA, a physique that regulates the audiovisual panorama. Since 2013, Nouri Lajmi has been its president. “We are actually inundated with complaints. For my part, that is a unprecedented consciousness. Via his participation, I imagine that the citizen can be a co-regulator, ”he testifies.
A citizen regulator but in addition essential of cleaning soap operas that, in spite of everything, break viewers data yearly.
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