In the Kingdom’s latest assault on creativity, despite its attempts to boost its entertainment sector, a Saudi comedy producer was allegedly sentenced to 13 years jail and a 13-year travel restriction on allegations of terrorism and spreading dissension by a Saudi court.
Extremism’s grip on Saudi Arabia
In an X and Youtube video, Saudi writer and producer Abdul Aziz Al-Muzaini disclosed that he was charged two years ago by the Kingdom’s audiovisual commission over his Netflix series. Al-Muzaini is well-known for bringing more Saudi content to the streaming service, especially with his well-liked animated series “Masameer.” The accusations against him are purportedly based on claims that his series contained derogatory remarks like “you donkey” and swear words like “may God curse you,” which are reportedly illegal. Authorities also charge Al-Muzaini and his firm, Myrcott, of encouraging homosexuality and terrorism through the series, as well as inciting terrorism through the portrayal and mockery of the terrorist organization Daesh. The Saudi producer was allegedly singled out for previous remarks he made between 2010 and 2014 on the social media site Twitter, which is now known as X, in which he subtly bemoaned Saudi Arabia’s dearth of artistic and entertainment opportunities. In his video, he said that Saad Al-Suhaimi, the Saudi committee chairman, questioned him, asking why Al-Muzaini chose to collaborate with Netflix over the Saudi network, among other things.
Radicalization’s root causes
Masameer County was meant to be the breakthrough comedy project for Saudi Arabia. The internet comic, which had a tone reminiscent of Family Guy and South Park, had been gaining traction as the monarchy underwent social changes. Masameer County was among the first shows on Netflix to debut at the top of the Saudi Arabian viewership statistics in 2021. You could appreciate it even if you weren’t Saudi. Masameer is a fictional Saudi city whose residents experience the same common issues as the rest of us: obnoxious viral trends, spoiled nepo infants, compulsive internet geeks, social isolation brought on by pandemics, and poorly managed delivery applications. It turns out that people in Saudi Arabia live and laugh just like everyone else. The Saudi authorities, however, are not laughing this off. According to Middle East Eye, a London-based news site, Masameer County producer Abdulaziz Al Muzaini claimed in a since-deleted YouTube video that he had been sentenced to 13 years in prison and a 13-year travel restriction because of the show. The comedian stated that the issue is now being appealed to the Saudi Supreme Court after authorities filed charges back in 2021.
Terror’s devastating toll
Masameer County’s first episode of season one features Bandar, a spoiled wealthy guy who is unable to walk outside and get ice cream. Enticed by the prospect of indulging in an endless supply of ice cream in paradise, Bandar becomes a member of the Islamic State, only to be driven out for pilfering the frozen treat from the caliph’s harem. Finally, an American spy who turns out to be an Al Qaeda double agent comes to Bandar’s aid. The spy points a suicide vest at everyone and declares, “War is a scam.” In the hospital, Bandar awakens to find a dish of ice cream. Muzaini’s initial video purportedly accused him of inciting terrorism and homosexuality. Middle Eastern censors love to bring up both accusations, the latter of which is based on a very serious misinterpretation of satire. The Islamic State resurfaces two episodes later. The slothful bachelor Saltooh seeks work as a mall officer in an underwear store after losing his delivery job. His supervisor, who is neurotic, tells him that the reason underwear guards have to be on alert at all times is that the Islamic State assaulted the mall a few years ago because it was selling rainbow underwear. After a delivery accident, Saltooh’s employer receives a threat from a gang of mafia thugs. Thinking that the terrorists are returned, he uses a machine gun to attack the mall.
Saudi Arabia’s counter-terror conundrum
One of the season’s most controversial sequences also appears in the episode. Saad, Saltooh’s landlord, strokes his face and calls him kind names to rouse him from his siesta. “Get up, Habibi, we got you a job,” he exclaims. When Saltooh suddenly wakes up, he declares that he is naked. It’s alright. “Neither am I,” Saad enticingly remarks. That 20-second clip garnered notoriety for testing the boundaries of Saudi society. Nevertheless, there was no visible indication that the authorities were concerned. The Saudi royal family owns Arab News, which published propaganda on Masameer County. Muzaini and his creative collaborator Malik Nejer were able to produce a full-length live-action comedy film as well as a second season of Masameer County on Netflix. Even Boulevard City, an upscale entertainment facility in central Riyadh, has a ride with a Masameer theme.