Why have cartoon shows become so popular nowadays? Rania Khallaf talks to the makers of one of today's most popular TV comedies For the second consecutive year Bassant and Diassti, one of Egypt's most popular comedy shows, has won the Arab Media Festival's gold prize. The comic show is produced by the Egyptian Television's Specialised Channels Sector and artistically produced by the Coin Side Media Company. This is the third season for the show, and it has proven to be a hit among children and adults alike. The show, which was first screened in Ramadan 2008, came to life as a result of an idea of Sameh Mustafa, who directs the show and who has owned Coin Side since 2007. Mustafa happened to be browsing through the children's magazine Nuna, which was published by the young actress Hanan Tork, when he caught sight of a caricature of an Upper Egyptian youth wearing a traditional galabiya (loose gown) and typing on his personal computer. This triggered the idea of a character who could become a hero of a brilliant animated light comedy show. The witty and attractive animation made by a number of professional cartoonists, including Ahmed Helmi is one of the reasons behind the popularity of the show. At first each episode lasted for just six minutes, but soon extended to 15. The idea was to portray this typical Upper Egyptian young man in his traditional environment that, despite its conventions and general lack of education, was open and exposed to the technological revolution. Here, then, is Diassti, together with his young but understanding and helpful wife Bassant. In each of the episodes Diassti tries to control the local, ill-educated people of Kafr Abu Agwa, the village where he lives, by means of various tricks that lead to hilarious situations. Portrayed as a man of tricks, or practical joker, Diassti entertains the audience with snap comedy, tricks and shaggy dog stories. The title of the last season, which was screened last Ramadan, is Porto Abu Agwa -- partly a tongue-in-cheek account of life in the luxurious resort of Porto Marina on the Egyptian Mediterranean coast, a place far removed from the imagination of the majority of Egyptians. For Hisham Hilal, one of the key writers of the show, writing the script was a new and enjoyable experience; a simple mission that was different from writing a real drama. "The last part of the show dealt with bizarre social attitudes," Hilal says. While all the characters speak with an Upper Egyptian accent, there is Shadi, Diassti's cousin, a mischievous boy who speaks the language of urban cities. There is a kind of lighthearted conflict between the two characters to win leadership over the people of their circle. "The show has dealt with several topics including terrorism, tourism, the bread shortage, and even swine flu, in a light way," Hilal says. He believes the show is a new addition to the Egyptian cartoon movement and has a humour that amuses children. The stars who play the roles of Bassant and Diassti, Hanan Tork and Salah Abdallah, are more familiar on the silver screen and are hugely popular with Egyptian audiences. For Hilal, who is also one of the writers of the Inspector Korombo show, Bassant and Diassti was originally designed for children but gained popularity among adults as well. "So we decided to deal with topics of interest to both categories," he says. For Mustafa, who is the show's executive producer as well as director, the target audience is the adults. He says, however, that children watch the show because they love cartoons. The response to the show's Facebook page proves fans are both numerous and diversified. Yet the reason for the show's success and that of less professional cartoon shows, such as Korombo, which is a lower version of Ramadan puzzles or fawazeer, remains vague. During the late 1970s, 80s and 90s Ramadan fawazeer was a usual feature of television entertainment and starred the most popular stars and comedians such as Nelly, Sherihan and Samir Ghanem. One might consider that the absence of these fawazeer in the last decade has created a gap on the television drama map. Hence, such easy, superficial, comic shows are the right replacement. On the other hand, it is true that the audience does not mind tasting this fast food meal, an appetiser that makes them laugh and releases the tension of the long hours of fasting during the day. Hilal, who has also co-written The Clinic, a popular sit- com, screened last year during Ramadan, believes Bassant and Diassti is a phenomenon but that only shows of good standard stay the length of time. "There is another reason that should be considered here," he says. "That is the high standard of international cartoon films such as The Lion King and Up which have a good following in Egyptian cinemas and have created a need for a local version." Mustafa believes that the reason for the success of his show is that it deals with topics that are closely linked to the everyday life of the average Egyptian. "This conflict between Kafr Abu Agwa, the poor area in which the characters live, and the use of modern technology has created the most hilarious comic stances ever," he adds. "We have produced 90 episodes so far. They have tackled several social issues and have tried to find unprecedented and illogical but imaginative ways of solving many of our social problems." Although the distribution of Bassant and Diassti is restricted only to the local market, Coin Side has been assigned by a media production company in Qatar to produce an animation show entitled Yawmiyat Dinar (Diaries of a Dinar). In the coming fifth season, which will be screened next Ramadan, Diassti will become a resident of Cairo and will stand as a candidate for the People's Assembly (PA). "In these new episodes, the relationship between members of the PA with businessmen and ordinary people will be exposed and dealt with on a critical level," Hilal says. As an animation director, Mustafa dreams of directing a cartoon movie. "The idea is ready, and the audience for animation is increasing. The only problem I have is finding a good sponsor and an enthusiastic cinema distributor." He is hopeful of both. One of the few positive features of this new wave of animated comic shows is that it expands the audience base, thus helping, with time, to establish an animation film industry.
