I watched all 30 episodes of the Kuwaiti drama series,
Juman (2019), on Netflix with (not always so accurate) English
subtitles. I’ll tell you my impressions, but I would like to know
what other people who saw it think about it. It was disturbing in
many ways but also touched upon some forward-thinking points.
I found myself somewhat depressed watching the series
through so many episodes and it had a lot to do with the solemn music score
throughout - as much as the subject matter.
The plot of Juman revolves around an extended Kuwaiti
family and their marriages and relationships. It also underscores the social
problems affecting Kuwaitis (which can also be felt by expats married to
Kuwaitis, although that point is not brought up in the series).
The main message of the series is the importance of keeping
families together, regardless of what problems a couple may face. Marital problems
in “Juman” included a lot of domestic abuse/violence and adultery (committed
by husbands in the series). (On a positive note, the directors never showed the
actual violent acts against the women, which is a plus.) Husbands that took zero ownership or
accountability for their actions while their wives were told by an older
generation of women and parents that of course it isn’t right, but
to go home and make it work; that a good wife should appease her husband and
calm him. That is her job.
It was a disturbing message to give to young generations of
strong, smart, educated Kuwaiti women. A message that they should give up their
careers and/or educations to be stay home wives and mothers for men who
flauntingly married second wives, or who forced their wives to cover - not out
of religion, but out of jealousy (which supposedly means love in this series).
And to return to husbands that were “sorry” after beating them; of course, to
return and accept for the sake of the family.
I kept watching to see how they would wrap things up. You
may have guessed it - happily ever after with family units intact and lots of
babies; and wives who were content to stay at home and do what their husbands
told them to do.
I wonder if the series will have the same affect as “Bye Bye
London" (1982).
“Bye Bye London” was designed
to show that London had vices and Kuwaitis were better off not to go there for
vacations (as so many Kuwaitis do – for decades).
The series actually had the opposite affect and made people
want to
travel to London (team vice!).
Maybe “Juman”
will make women consider what they (not anyone else) really want to do with
their lives.
Dunno.
Ok, a few progressive messages I caught: there
was a brief discussion about Kuwaitis marrying foreigners and how their
marriages have just as much of a chance of working out. The same was said about
age difference in marriages and arranged vs love marriages.
It’s a matter of luck. There was
also an episode with a message about domestic workers and how they should be
treated kindly.
And something that I should mention is the quality of acting:
Really good acting all around. Although I didn’t agree with or like the plot,
it evoked strong emotions and made me think. And as an afterthought- the series
had some of the most beautiful and obviously talented female actresses
imaginable. Hopefully, women who are living their best lives without
any of the issues in the series.
