As a passionate viewer and follower of Arabic cinema and series, I have witnessed the captivating transformation that has taken place within this artistic landscape over the past year. Themes that were once considered taboo or off-limits are now being explored with courage and creativity, reflecting the evolving societal dynamics in the Middle East and North Africa region.
This year, family secrets, mishaps, concealed histories, and personal development were the most rapidly expanding themes and subjects in Arabic films and shows, as indicated by a report published by Rise Studios, an AI-driven company located in Dubai, prior to the TV market Mipcom.
The preference for these subjects indicates that the Middle East and North Africa is experiencing a shift in its social structure, with traditional beliefs frequently clashing against contemporary experiences, as expressed by Rise Studios in their statement.
On Monday, Amanda Turnbull, the head honcho and founder of Rise Studios, will participate on a panel at Mipcom, discussing a topic centered around drama series that traverse international boundaries. Previously, Turnbull held the position of managing director for Warner Bros. Discovery in the Middle East, Africa, and Turkey.
This study, titled “Investigating Evolving Themes and Subjects in MENA’s Streaming Market,” delves into the patterns influencing content creation on 12 streaming services within the Arabic region during the current period, while also tracking how these trends have changed over the course of the last year.
According to Rise Studios, the traditional topics in Arabic scripted stories, such as secrecy, deceit, connections, and enigma, seem to have leveled off or decreased, paving the path for “deeper and more impactful storylines.
Last year, content about concealed histories showed the most significant annual increase (73%), with family secrets, accounts of misadventures, and personal development content coming in second (each at 68%) and third (67%) respectively.
Shows that explore themes such as concealed pasts, family mysteries, and mishaps include “All But Divorced,” one of Rise Studios’ productions, which revolves around Yara, a high school chemistry teacher. She harbors suspicions about her husband, a freelance writer, being unfaithful. Uncovering the truth poses a threat to their lives.
In the Netflix Original film “From the Ashes,” a captivating Saudi drama-thriller based on true events, we witness themes of self-discovery and unveiled secrets. This gripping story follows the tumultuous aftermath that ensues when a fire erupts in an all-girls’ school, revealing raw emotions and chaos. The movie was premiered on Netflix in January.
Saudi Arabia is rapidly becoming a significant producer in its region. Contemporary films delve into topics like friendship, cultural conflicts, survival, and intrigue amidst the turbulent social and cultural dynamics of contemporary Saudi youth, for instance, Netflix’s “Naga.” In this movie, a young woman finds herself stranded in the desert following an underground gathering. She needs to navigate past a vengeful camel, among other challenges, to return home before the city’s curfew.
Turnbull noted that some once-popular topics might have slowed down due to the principle of decreasing returns. Yet, another significant reason could be the escalating investments over the last three years and the influx of budding creative talents from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The novel voices we’re encountering are keen on departing from established norms, delving into innovative, sometimes daring topics that strike a chord with the youth. This empowers spectators to connect with narratives reflective of their personal encounters with cultural evolutions, identity, and metamorphosis.
The study was carried out in collaboration with Vynd, a business specializing in AI-enhanced insights for the entertainment sector.
Regarding the report, Maarten Kranendonk, co-founder and CEO of Vynd, stated: “Thanks to the fast pace of technological advancements, particularly AI and large language models, we can delve more deeply into the heart of the material and extract useful data and insights. This empowers companies like Rise Studios, who base their work on data to cater to audience preferences, to shape the future of content in the region.
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2024-10-17 14:16