Zawaya

Star'Ac Maghreb Act II: Between national pride and revelation of talent

By: Nabila Saidoune

Secret Story, Peking Express, Star Academy, Nice People, Koh-Lanta, Big Brother and the list goes on. These reality shows that are already very popular in Western countries, are also emerging in the Arab countries and reaching the Maghreb as well. Is this the emergence of a cultural and artistic movement that aims to revolutionize art in societies that are influenced by religious extremism?

In any case, the scale that this phenomenon is taking can be regarded as a kind of deep desire of Algerians in particular, and Maghreb people in general, to breathe and experience something else other than ambient bitterness.

These programs are highly rated because they reveal the stars of tomorrow, but these stars are often affected by external factors going beyond the concept of “the fifteen minutes of fame”. Apart from the artistic performance, the role-playing of each candidate can sometimes decisively influence the choice of viewers.

Divided between “good taste” and “common sense”, these young people who constitute the majority of the audience juggle between the “Daily” episodes and the “Prime” in order to integrate them into their lives, going thus beyond the dimension of television preferences. The talent that’s often relegated to second place yields to a practice that’s far from being trivial.

We observe in these shows some relationships that affect young people in a direct way to the extent of inspiring them role models and situations… The superficial – or even caricature – aspect does not diminish the fascination of the public. Young people are on the lookout for funny, serious and sometimes even stupid situations. For family, fan clubs and even simple viewers, consumption becomes obvious and is rooted in this need for defiance. But what is the Star’Ac a symptom of? What does it reveal? The question is particularly acute because the line between popular success and intellectual credibility can easily be crossed. Success won at the price of fame would be fleeting and the artistic aspect would suffer of that.

The revelation of new talents, exchanges between Maghreb people, the opportunity to meet famous artists, and the good side of the initiative must take precedence over everything else. This is not a confrontation between the “Mashriq” and the “Maghrib”, but rather a chance to offer young people the opportunity to discover a universe that is not necessarily unknown to them, but which is not easily accessible to them. A helping hand as a means of encouragement will harm no one; on the contrary, it will encourage the blending of cultures. The show even includes business that can not be separated from all initiatives, especially if they happen to transcend political divisions and finally succeed the theatrical move: a united Maghreb. Meanwhile, the floor is given to talent; may the show begin with Star’Ac Maghreb Act II!