Syrian actor Samir El Masri discussed the challenges faced by Syrian drama during the reign of the ousted Assad regime, revealing the censorship restrictions placed on artistic works that prevented them from presenting a true depiction of Syrian society.
اضافة اعلان
During his appearance on the show "Fi Zilal Al-Yasmin" on Al-Arabi TV, Samir El Masri shared new insights about the famous series "Bab Al-Hara", in which he portrayed the character of "Abu Shihab", the leader of the neighborhood. He mentioned that the series caused significant anger and displeasure within the Assad regime.
Samir El Masri: "Bab Al-Hara" Provoked the Assad Regime
El Masri revealed the pressures the "Bab Al-Hara" series faced, stating that the work provoked the regime to the extent that some officials directly questioned why the series seemed to "glorify the image of the Levant." However, El Masri clarified that the intention of the show was not to flatter any particular group but to present the true image of Syria, which is not limited to just Damascus but includes cities like Aleppo, Hama, Homs, and others, as the Syrian people are one fabric.
He also stated that the history and heritage of the Levant far exceed any portrayal in the series, emphasizing that Syrian drama in recent years had been unable to present the truth as it was due to the censorship imposed upon it.
El Masri explained that many stories clashed with censorship, and it was not permitted to show the real image of Damascus or its customs and traditions. He stressed that under the regime, drama was confined within a specific framework.
The Future of Syrian Drama After the Regime's Fall
Regarding the future of Syrian drama after the fall of the regime, El Masri confirmed that significant changes would occur, with stories being told by their real names without any subterfuge. He pointed out that drama would enter a phase of absolute transparency, where events could be narrated as they happened, without the need for embellishment or manipulation to satisfy censorship bodies.
He added, "In the coming period, there will be an opportunity for Syrian drama to truly honor Damascus and everything that happened in Syria, not just events related to the capital. There are many stories that were never allowed to be told in the past, and now is their time."
Despite his optimism about the future of Syrian drama, El Masri expressed concern about some works exploiting this new phase to stir controversy or gain commercial benefits, warning that some producers might attempt to tackle these issues in a superficial or opportunistic manner, without considering the depth or real significance of the events.
Samir El Masri: "Now is the Time to Reveal the Truth"
In conclusion, El Masri emphasized that Syrian drama had failed to adequately address many of the events that took place in the country over the past decades, but now it had a historic opportunity to tell the truth with clarity and transparency.
He pointed out that the time had come to narrate the stories as they actually happened, without political or censorship interference, stressing that drama should reflect the true society and not be a tool for distorting or falsifying facts. (Syria TV)
