There were the seductive or scorned women of "Maîtresse d'un homme marié" (Mistress of a Married Man), the editor-in-chief of "Idoles" confronted with the realities of power… the latest Senegalese TV series offers a hero who is not glamorous but very much of his time: "Le Virus" (The Virus).
The resemblance to current or past events is anything but coincidental: "Le Virus," a series of short stories broadcast every evening since the end of April by the private channel ITV and on social media, is
entirely inspired by Covid-19, which is also rampant here.
"Le Virus" is intended to be entertaining, like the multi-season productions that are hits on the country's television channels, but also educational. The fictional character of Dr. Diouf, who appears at the end of each episode, may be better understood than his real-life colleagues in white coats, thanks to the short sequences imagined in the daily life of Senegalese households.
The scene filmed today in an apartment in a residential neighborhood of Dakar is directly linked to the current reality. Ramadan, as in real life, is coming to an end. On the last day of the holy month of fasting, children knock on doors to beg for money.
Three girls, dressed in traditional clothing, come across a head of the family who slams the door in their faces. He rails against parents who let their children wander around outside in times like these.
"We wanted to make five- to eight-minute TV movies to show what to do and what not to do to avoid catching coronavirus. We decided it would be more effective to show this by going beyond the usual messages such as 'wash your hands', 'sneeze into your elbow',
'avoid gatherings'," says director Mohamed Moustapha Kanté, wearing a mask among the cameras, spotlights, and cables.
Audiovisual "excesses"
The 30-episode series in Wolof, the language spoken in Senegal, began at the same time as Ramadan and airs at the time of the breaking of the fast. This time of day, when Senegalese people enjoy watching sketches, is ideal for raising awareness in a country where contagion remains relatively limited but where there is concern about the capacity of the healthcare system.
The authorities have reported nearly 3,000 cases of infection and more than 30
deaths. In one episode of "The Virus," a young man lashes out at his sister for being too absorbed in social media to pay attention to official warnings, until the day she herself becomes infected.
"The messages vary from day to day," says Dr. Diouf, Alioune Thiam in the city, wearing a mask and gloves. He mentions feedback from viewers, such as one who "told us he didn't know that diarrhea was one of the symptoms."
The Ministry of Health is watching with interest. "We have received many productions and synopses on the coronavirus. We are currently looking at how to work with these production companies to raise awareness," says its spokesperson, Ms. Ngoné Ngom.
Another regulatory authority is keeping a close eye on things: the National Audiovisual Regulation Council. It has warned that the profusion of TV and radio programs produced for Ramadan should not give rise to "excesses" such as anti-religious mockery. Nor should it give rise to "anything that could be construed as stigmatizing victims of the coronavirus."
AFP