Fauda Season 5 Dominates Global Netflix Charts, Resonates in Arab Nations
Translated & summarized from Ynet by baba
The fifth season of the Israeli series "Fauda" has achieved global success on Netflix, topping charts in numerous countries, including significant viewership in the Middle East. The season, which directly depicts the October 7th attacks, has elicited strong emotional reactions from viewers worldwide, alongside some criticism for its narrative perspective.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Fauda Season 5 ranks high globally on Netflix.
- The series is popular in Middle Eastern countries.
- Episodes 7 and 8 focus on the October 7th attacks.
- Viewers report strong emotional reactions to the season.
- Some critics accuse the show of a biased narrative.
The fifth season of the Israeli drama "Fauda," released globally on Netflix on September 8, has achieved significant international success, reaching the top 10 viewing rankings in dozens of countries within days. The series, which initially aired on Israel's yes network, ranked fourth globally among Netflix series by September 10, according to FlixPatrol, and remained in sixth place at the time of reporting. Particularly noteworthy is its performance in the Middle East, where it secured the number one spot in Lebanon and high rankings in Jordan, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt, Morocco, and Saudi Arabia. This is especially remarkable given that episodes 7 and 8 of the season directly address the events of the October 7th Hamas attacks.
Despite a boycott law against Israel in Lebanon, "Fauda" has garnered substantial viewership. The Qatari newspaper "Al-Araby Al-Jadeed" noted the series' return to Netflix, referencing the on-screen war in Gaza and quoting actor Doron Ben David's past remarks supporting the fighting. The series' premiere was even covered in Yemen, and social media has seen intense reactions from viewers worldwide.
Non-Israeli and non-Jewish viewers have shared deeply emotional responses, with many describing being moved to tears and finding the portrayal of the October 7th events profoundly impactful and realistic. One American viewer stated the season was "crucial for people to see what Israel went through and is still going through." Others expressed the difficulty of watching, with one user reporting an anxiety attack during viewing and another needing days to process episode 7, highlighting a scene depicting a child's innocent remark amidst terror.
However, the season has also faced criticism. A viewer from Libya argued that "Fauda" presents a biased narrative that demonizes Palestinians and distorts their struggle, asserting that the issue lies not with depicting October 7th but with the show's specific portrayal and interpretation of events. Co-creator and star Lior Raz expressed surprise at the global reception, especially in Arab countries, stating their intention was to create a quality series that also informs the world about the October 7th massacre. Co-creator Avi Issacharoff added that they hoped the series would help non-Israelis better understand the experience of October 7th.
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