Melodramas

 

While I have not watched telenovelas and Turkish dramas, I have always watched melodramas in general. I found it very interesting in Dr.A’s presentation how many telenovelas are used to spread awareness of social issues and conflicts, like the telenovela “Roque Santeiro” mentioned in class. I was able to connect this back to the Senegalese melodramas I had always watched with my mother and aunts. 

Recently these dramas became more open about subjects that were previously taboo in Senegal such as mental health, domestic violence, and women’s sexuality. One of the melodramas I watched, “Maîtresse d’un homme marié” (Mistress of a Married Man) faced heavy backlash for these subjects that they portrayed. Despite this, it became very famous in Senegal because many women were able to relate to its realism. I think this show also has connections to the Turkish drama I chose, Yargi. Both are heavily involved in topics of family ties and justice. They both bring up the question of what you would do to protect your family. I also think it’s interesting how the characters in their respective shows changed after their personal morals were challenged.