Posted on 03/23/2009 6:19:59 AM PDT by Shellybenoit
Why does a soap opera become a huge success in the Arab world? According to the Guardian the Syrian television program “Bab al-Hara” (The Neighborhood Gate) has set “the Arab World Agog” and is watched by millions. Generally, the article explains the phenomenon by saying that it is great entertainment and the hero is, “A hearthrob who looks like Johnny Depp.”
But there’s another dimension the story misses, which tells us a great deal about Arab society and politics today. Here’s how an expert who watched the show explains it:
“These dramas give Syrians a "breathing space," time off from the stress of living in that squalid dictatorship. They're a safety valve. When Syrians are watching these shows when they see they substitute in their minds the Syrian regime and its army for the French soldiers portrayed. The white French mandate uniforms become olive green; the French tricolor becomes the Syrian eagle.
“Take this scene for example, 2.34 minutes into this clip:
(Excerpt) Read more at yidwithlid.blogspot.com ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.