Director Najdat Anzour says filming 'Memory in the Flesh' was new experience

By Nohad Topalian in Beirut
For Al-Shorfa.com
2010-07-12

[JOSEPH FADDOUL/Al-Shorfa] Syrian director Najdat Ismail Anzour and actor Jamal Suleiman on the set of "Memory in the Flesh".

Syrian director Najdat Ismail Anzour departs from his usual style of historical television dramas to produce a new series based on "Memory in the Flesh", a novel by Algerian writer Ahlam Mosteghanemi.

In an interview with al-Shorfa, Anzour discussed his work on "Memory in the Flesh" and "Those whom you Own", both of which will air during Ramadan.

Al-Shorfa: How is production of "Memory in the Flesh" going?

Anzour: We made great strides in shooting this drama. After we finish filming the remaining scenes in Beirut, we will move to Algeria to work for two weeks. After that, we will continue with post-production.

Al-Shorfa: Will it be ready for broadcast on TV during Ramadan?

Anzour: God willing. We hope to have the first episode broadcast on the first day of this blessed month on Abu Dhabi TV which introducing the programme, and some other channels.

Al-Shorfa: How is shooting a television series based on a novel different from your usual historical dramas?

Anzour: Let us say this is a new experience. What is remarkable with what I am doing is that a novel provides a strong foundation to build upon.

Adapting a novel for TV is different from an original script, which sometimes falls below the required standard. But with a novel, you are starting from a solid foundation, which brings comfort to the director and the team working with him.

Al-Shorfa: Why is that?

Anzour: Because the body and the ideas are present in the novel.

Years ago, I did "The End of a Courageous Man", a novel by the Syrian writer Hanna Mina for TV. I felt very comfortable because I knew what to rely on in terms of the drama.

At the time we chose screen Reem Hanna, who is renowned for her experience and open-mindedness. She is a woman who has strong feelings and can read between the lines. She did just that and transformed " Memory in the Flesh" into a script for a television series.

Al-Shorfa: Are you facing a challenge, especially for viewers who have read "Memory in the Flesh" and may have their own take?

Anzour: There is a challenge in any work. But I assure the viewers that the characteristics of the novel will be preserved. If the reader imagined a world or worlds created by the writer, then I selected images the viewer will see in order to succeed in transforming the novel. We managed to read between the lines in this work and to choose actors who are capable of performing the roles. I can say that we carried out 75% of the work, and I can say that we will set off an artistic bomb named Amal Bouchoucha.

Amal succeeded in performing the complex character of Hayat, especially as this is her first time acting. Her presence in front of a giant such as Jamal Suleiman and other actors made her rely on her talent. She takes every note, and she's committed to working and is present at the shooting locations even if the part was not related to her. Acting with Jamal improves her performance and strengthens her presence in this work. I tell viewers that they will see something new.

Al-Shorfa: What other projects are you working on?

Anzour: Before starting work on "Memory in the Flesh", I finished "Those Whom Uou Own", which will also be shown during Ramadan. It's a drama about the middle-class that is beginning to disintegrate and disappear through forms of delinquency and religious extremism.

Al-Shorfa: Why address the situation of the middle class?

Anzour: Because the middle class is the backbone of any society. The stronger and more cohesive this class, the more space will there be for expressions of opinion and development. Its existence means that society is cohesive and that it's not a source of concern.

Al-Shorfa: Is there a message in this work?

Anzour: This work is a call for restoring the status of the middle class. Therefore it tackles thorny and exhausting topics.

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