Jordan needs to support its artists

Jordanian actress Rana Abou Ghali Amman – Iman Abu Kaoud Jordanian actress Rana Abou Ghali has said that the lack of support for artists from the Jordanian government has forced many top performers to leave the country in search of stardom. In a exclusive interview with Arab Today, Rana said: "The Jordanian showbiz industry remains stuck in the nineties, and the Gulf War era, which had a negative impact on art in Jordan." The Jordanian actress claimed that despite having worked her way up the acting ladder, even she was struggling to make a living in Jordan due to the politics which has engulfed the industry. Rana graduated with a diploma in fine arts and has spent 17 years in the showbiz industry, having worked in more than 120 television shows. The veteran performer told Arab Today that she is proud to be associated with her role in the children's television show Walad w Bent (A Boy and a Girl), a programme which she hosted between 1996 and 2000 Rana criticised state television censorship, accusing the government of a traditional mentality at a time when issues such as sexual health and drug abuse require attention. The Jordanian star also lamented the lack of support from support groups and unions. "Jordanian performers are struggling. The unions are living off past glories, and the Jordanian dialect is not as popular on television, as other dialects. This limits the opportunities Jordanian actors get to work on television. "There has also been a decline in the number of Jordanian producers, and non-Jordanian producers are reluctant to hire Jordanian actors for their dramas due to fears of missing out on viewers," she explained. Rana disclosed that she would work in the drama Roud al-Mozn, on MBC, describing director Ahmad Daibes as one of the best directors she has ever worked with. The actress ruled out playing seductive roles, and also denied going under the plastic surgeon's knife to change her appearance. Rana explained how she went against her family to pursue her dream of acting from a young age. She revealed financial difficulties and competition for roles as the key issues she faces when she entered the industry.   The Jordanian actress said she would be delighted to work with Egyptian actress Ghada Abdel Razek.