Egypt-Syria rivalry heats up over Ramadan soap operas

Sep 13, 2007, 16:11 GMT

Cairo - It is Ramadan, which for many Arabs means a glut of food and an overdose of soap operas. This year, the traditional rivalry between Syrian and Egyptian producers is heating up given a hefty production volume of over 70 series.

Traditionally, Ramadan TV is a showcase for moral values but over the last 10 years a new trend of broaching political and social taboos has emerged. This is made possible by a boom in mostly privately-owned Arab television channels broadcast via satellite to millions of Arabs all over the world.

Egypt, seen as the Hollywood of the Arab world, has traditionally monopolized production of Ramadan soap operas. But it is now losing its lion's share of the market as fierce competitors from Syria continue to make impressive productions, not just the usual fluff of tacky love stories featured in Egyptian soaps.

But Egypt is in denial. One of its top actors, Hussein Fahmi shrugged off views that Syria was dethroning his country in the realm of soap operas. Fahmi said Egyptian productions were still in the lead and not facing any threat.

Over the last five years, Syrian soap operas aired in Ramadan have earned so much praise because of their treatment of controversial issues, such as terrorism and suicide bombers, and high quality.

An example is the Road to Kabul, which was aired two years ago and featured Arab jihadists during Soviet occupation of Afghanistan, attracted a wide audience but also prompted death threats by radical Muslims.

This year, Egyptian producers seem to be coming to terms with new realities. Syrian TV stars will feature in Egyptian soap operas this Ramadan, announced the headlines in Egypt's al-Ahram newpspaper.

Some Syrian actors are tempted by relatively big earnings offered by Egyptian production companies although they may not admit it. Egypt's soap opera stars earn as much as 2 million dollars per series.

Syrian actor, Ayman Zaidan, who will feature in an Egyptian soap this Ramadan, denied he was in it for the money. 'We, Syrian artists, have not left Syrian drama to look for high earnings somewhere else as some claim. But we take part in Egyptian drama as a form of cultural exchange with Egypt.'

Monetary temptation from Egypt's TV industry seems to be hard to resist. Even international star, Omar Sharif, has been tempted. The Egyptian-born star of classic Hollywood productions, such as Dr Zhivago, will appear this year for the first time in a Ramadan soap opera.

Competition for the top time slot will certainly be fierce given that Egypt is promising 50 series and Syria 20. Gulf and North African countries are also part of the game but with a much smaller production.