In an Exclusive interview with Tunisienumerique, actor and producer Ikram Azzouz oK’d the launch of the shooting of the Ramadan sitcom, “Fondok Al Maghreb Al Arabi” (Grand Maghreb Hotel). Our speaker highlighted the non-valorization of the dramatic production in Tunisia, in particular, the well-known comic sitcoms and this taking into account their regular rebroadcasting. “Comedy soap operas and sitcoms reminisce a stunning image of the country and form a drama industry that can be exploited for the benefit of the national economy”. “We have high-calibre actors and high-level technicians, with whom foreigners are thrilled to work. I call on all politicians and officials within the State to invest in the dramatic field because Tunisia is overflowing with capacities and skills,” he said.
Mr Ikram voiced his pleasure as an actor in the sitcom “Fondok Al Maghreb Al Arabi” and repeated his vision of the Greater Maghreb space, considering that any Maghreb country has its capabilities and resources and the peoples, hence the necessity to activate their union and their partnership and this is an asset to be exploited. “I will be glad to have made the first North African sitcom and I hope it will be successful with the general public. Let’s have fun during Ramadan in several dialects! “, he continued.
He likewise specified that this work includes a group of actors and comedians from Maghreb nations like Khaddouja Sabri, Zied Sobhi, Mustapaha Baraka from Libya, Kaouther Bardi, himself (Ikram Azzouz), Adel Cherif , Olfa Hkimi, Mohamed Said from Tunisia, Mourad Khan, Achour Bouras and other actors, Mohamed Chikhani from Mauritania, the great Hassen Mekiat from Morocco.
Fondok Al Maghreb Al Arabi: Synopsis
Our interlocutor revealed that the story takes place in a hotel inaugurated in the 1960s. “Am Taoufik charged the management of the hotel to his son, Ezzeddine. But with the emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic, he encountered everyday financial hardships and other problems commonly experienced by professionals in the sector. Numerous events will take place in this hotel for 15 episodes and other seasons are possible,” clarified Azzouz.
It should be stated that the comedy series will be directed by the young Salmene Chaouech.
Drama production in Tunisia: A great impasse
“What is contradictory is the fact that if it does not conventionally go through national television, the drama production will only have backing from the sponsors of advertisements during Ramadan,” he pointed out. “Drama production in our nation is tough, it is based on sales as well as the ability to persuade sponsors to broadcast commercials. Indeed, there are TV channels that do not produce but opt for partnering, or the sharing of advertising revenues,” he clarified.
In the same context, Mr Ikram lamented the non-subsidization by the State of dramatic productions. Indeed, he pointed out that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs gives subsidies for the benefit of cinema and short films only. “We must examine the situation of drama production in Tunisia,” he insisted. “I believe the world today has gone digital. I follow the news on Tunisienumérique and I have the honor of having carried out this interview”, he concluded.
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