TV star Driss Roukh talks about new series "Zorroh"

2009-08-26

Moroccan actor Driss Roukh joins a star-studded cast in the Nessma TV comedy series "Zorroh", airing throughout Ramadan. Roukh speaks to Magharebia about his experience on the show and the importance of collaboration.

Interview by Imane Belhaj for Magharebia in Casablanca – 26/08/09

[Imane Belhaj] Driss Errokh (right) plays Jack Sparrow on the Nessma TV series "Zorroh".

Moroccan actor Driss Roukh is appearing throughout Ramadan in the comedy series "Zorroh" on Nessma TV, alongside actors from other areas of the Maghreb.

The actor says the series will help him reach a larger pan-Maghreb audience, and hopes that these sorts of international projects, which greatly contribute to the rapprochement among cultures, will continue.

Magharebia: How did the "Zorroh" programme get started? Talk a little bit about your participation.

Driss Roukh: As far as the idea is concerned, I think it is extremely important in view of the type of comedy we are presenting in this series. It's a parody of a story that the whole world knows, which combines action, laughter, adventure and love. This is in addition to the fact that it is a story that has attracted the attention of everyone, old and young. It's simply a new reading of the famous Walt Disney "Zorro" series.

Director Mohammed Achaour decided to give a new form to this series, which maintained the events and characteristics of the real characters of Zorro. The aim is to convey it to the audience through various technical and artistic means, such as the deftness of the actors and production quality. The most beautiful thing is that the idea was a Maghreb idea, combining actors from Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria. It will also air on a Maghreb TV station.

Magharebia: What role do you play in this series?

Roukh: I play the role of Jack Sparrow, based on the character from the Pirates of the Caribbean films. The character was introduced out of dramatic necessity to help the structure of the series. I play a composite role, combining the character of Sparrow, who assists people with their various needs, and at the same time, he is the right hand and eyes of Moussa, who uses him to see the secrets of Zorroh.

Magharebia: Do you think that such experiences are positive and support artists' careers?

Roukh: Certainly. This is because we need civilised and cultural dialogue with other countries, whether Arab or foreign. I think that the Syrian experience has proven this by its openness to Maghreb and Arab artists. There are also many other international experiences that confirm that dialogue and symbiosis are necessary in order to get to know the other and move beyond prejudices.

Personally, I have taken part in many Arab and international works of art. I have undoubtedly understood the real value of art that doesn't remain confined to its restricted locality. I hope that Egypt will follow in the footsteps of Syrian drama and open up to Arab artists in order to develop its experience.

As Moroccans, Maghreb residents, Arabs, Africans and Muslims, I think we can make events happen through our dealings in the framework of partnerships that get us properly closer to the other.

Magharebia: You have taken part in many local and international artistic projects. What is your evaluation of these collaborations?

Roukh: The artist is, first of all, the child of his or her environment. However, he certainly needs to have different experiences from his own culture and society so that he may develop his artistic stock. I have worked with Syrians, Egyptians, Jordanians, and Americans, and with other ethnic groups. I saw that there was a process of major impact or influence that takes place through these collaborations, especially as the diverse cultures enable the actor to gain further stature, and make him look at local matters from a global perspective and vice versa.

Openness to global creativity is the thing that gives us the strength to continue. I think that art was able to create this kind of unification between the local and global. We have to believe that art is the means to develop our culture, politics and society. We all have to contribute to the process, because our strength is in joining together, and in being open with others in such a manner that guarantees the feeling of real existence of humans, wherever and however they are.