Mauritanian drama.. Difficulties in production and complaints of viewers

A ritual that the Jaber family has been doing for years, although the content that was presented over the past years did not satisfy its thirst as a family interested in local drama, according to Jaber.

Jaber explains to “Sky News Arabia” that “Mauritanian dramas did not develop until 2023,” noting that “they repeat themselves, despite the large number of works and the multiplicity of directors.”

Jaber says, “I am interested in Mauritanian dramas, and I am still waiting for a work that befits the Mauritanian viewer and respects his taste, and although I have not seen it according to those standards, I still follow it, especially at breakfast time. I have to find, by chance, something that quenches my thirst.”

For his part, Mohamed Ould Bakkar believes that criticism of Mauritanian drama is “not objective”, given the lack of institutes “specialized in the arts” or training in the “field of production.”

“The producers deserve praise and appreciation, given the difficult conditions in which they work,” Mohammed told Sky News Arabia.

He points out that Mauritania “has talented actors and producers who work in an environment that is not suitable for dramatic work.”

production difficulties

The Mauritanian viewer complained about the content that is produced during the month of Ramadan, which is sometimes unfair, according to most of the producers in this field who spoke to Sky News Arabia.

They explain that the Mauritanian environment is not suitable for cultivating any dramatic work that meets the known standards, because of the obstacles they always face.

Among them is the producer and actor Bouna Weld Amida, who attended two works during this Ramadan, one of which is a “comedy”.

Bonneh told Sky News Arabia:

• “We face great difficulties, whether they are related to financing or human resources, as there are no productive institutions in the professional sense, and we lack standards that serve the producer and push him to provide respectable work.”
• “Achieving a quantum leap in Mauritanian drama requires the presence of a support fund from the concerned ministry, and the presence of institutions capable of allocating a respectable sum of money for production.”
• In his speech, Bonneh pointed out that despite the difficulties that characterize this field, “the Mauritanian drama was able to present respectable works that won the admiration of many viewers,” stressing his insistence on working, in order to provide content worthy of “the Mauritanian viewer.”

Ramadan.. the season of production

• Almost 10 years ago, TV dramas in Mauritania were associated with the month of Ramadan, after the emergence of several satellite channels, and most of these works tend to comedies.
• Drama is linked to the month of Ramadan, because it is the only opportunity to obtain financing or sponsorships for producers.
• Film director Abd al-Rahman Lahi believes that the association of production with Ramadan in Mauritania indicates a defect in “the vision of production, broadcasting, and distribution.”
• Abdel Rahman explains to “Sky News Arabia” that “the owner of the channel is thinking about the recipient in the current season.”
• Abdel Rahman points out that “the other factor that controls production is the willingness of the channels to buy the dramatic work, and the willingness of the sponsors to advertise their goods, because everyone is waiting for Ramadan to announce their products,” adding that “the advertising material is a large part of the funding.”

Poor salaries

• The low salaries paid by actors in Mauritania constitute a major challenge for workers in this field, with regard to continuity.
• Most of the actors work out of passion, according to the young actress, Al-Batoul Hassan Al-Hajj, who participated in two works during Ramadan, one of which is a comedy.
• Al-Batoul tells Sky News Arabia that she is “passionate about drama, despite the low salaries she receives.”
• She points out that she earns “significant amounts of advertising, compared to acting.”
• She explains, “What motivates her to stay in this field is the youth’s belief in drama, and their passion despite the difficulties they face, and the lack of funding.”