The Lebanese Soap Opera "Ruby"
I never were a TV lover, It was just a tool to keep me company while I finish some projects or when it's evening and the family gathers around the kitchen table for a chat and supper. At almost 9 P.M Lebanon time, the soap opera Ruby was broadcasted. I just loathed Lebanese productions because i always though they lacked the creativity yet the connection with reality, plus they were always exaggerated. I ended up watching this well written soap opera because I actually found it interesting. This opera was a coproduction between Lebanese, Egyptian, and Syrian Cinema The story revolves around college girl from a poor family who is determined to lead a wealthy life by running away with her best friend’s fiancé leaving behind, her broken hearted best friend, her crushed lover, and worried mother. Starring Cyrine Abdelnour, who plays the role of ruby, she manifested the role with proficiency where she reflected the girl’s personality as a self centered yet psychologically unstable young lady. You’d realize after watching many episodes that the reason a young smart and beautiful girl would act in such manner was the fact that her father abandoned as a child to engage in a wealthy life in Egypt with his first wife (her mother was his second wife living in Lebanon). Also, as a result of being surrounded with wealthy mates in university made her envy the way they engage in living while being determined to become wealthy no matter what. She seduces her best friend’s fiancé in to marrying her while she never had feeling for him and abandoned her true love because he is poor. The episodes always have twists and turn where after she returns to Lebanon and becomes hated by all she tries to retrieve her old lover when she knows he is getting married from another. The way the actress manifests the instability in her character is incredible while she portrays her as a victim of her father’s neglect you could also realize the evil and grudge that motivates her. Well still watching the series and the most the character of Ruby amazes me with its so awful personality yet beauty of performance.