As an illustration of how sloppy the writing in SA TV dramas can be, this week's intersexions episode was an excellent case in point. For me an excellent drama, whether tv or film, is when the production values(cinematography, direction, sound etc) perfectly match the content(writing, dialogue, acting). The old equation of form and content. The intersexions series,deservedly, has been highly acclaimed because of the high quality of the work that has gone into it. For me, though, the greatest value of the series is how, when it stumbles, it exposes the weaknesses that continue to bedevil our industry and imprison us in mediocrity.
In this week's episode, the writing just did not come to the party. A pastor rescues a homeless girl from imminent arrest for stealing. He offers her the shelter of his house on a temporary basis. He seduces her, gets her pregnant and promptly abandons her due to pressure from a member of the congregation. So, is that it? A whole episode of beautiful acting and direction to say something as banal as this?
I don't know about you but when I watch social drama I expect an examination, an artistic development, of the motives behind the actions of the characters. More, I expect a consistently developed point of view from the writer. A vision, a take. Something that is gonna provoke a thought, perhaps even a new insight in me.
What a wasted opportunity to explore a powerful theme in South African life. All because the writer chose to play it safe.
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